How much Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) into China only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 1.5 liter (50.72 US fl oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- Extra conditions apply
On the plane
Airline differences
| Airline | Difference from the baseline |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) | Stricter than the standard rule |
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 中华人民共和国财政部 关税司（国务院关税税则委员会）
Questions about Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) in China
- How much alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) can I bring into China?
- China allows 1.5 liters of alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 1.5 liters of alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) in China?
- Under 《进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法》第十一条（税委会公告2024年第11号公布，自2024年12月1日施行）, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 《中华人民共和国海关行政处罚实施条例》第十九条第二项、第四项（国务院令第420号）: an administrative fine is imposed.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)?
- No. China grants an arrival duty-free quota separately from what you carry in, which is why two different numbers circulate for this allowance.
- Can I post or ship alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) to China instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Is there a minimum age for the alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) states it in 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “（1）进境旅客，12度以上的酒精饮料 1.5 升。”
- How does China compare with other countries on alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over), 11 limit it and 9 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19