How much Foreign currency cash can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Foreign currency cash into China only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Value cap: 5,000 USD
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- No stated quantity
- Value cap: 5,000 USD
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） 中国政府网 国务院公报（国家外汇管理局 海关总署）
Questions about Foreign currency cash in China
- How much foreign currency cash can I bring into China?
- China allows foreign currency cash to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 5,000 USD. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare foreign currency cash at China customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare foreign currency cash 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.
- Can I post or ship foreign currency cash 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.
- Can I take foreign currency cash out of China?
- Yes. China publishes no limit on taking foreign currency cash out.
- Does the China limit for foreign currency cash 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 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报）. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “入境人员携带外币现钞入境，超过等值5000美元的应当向海关书面申报，当天多次往返及短期内多次往返者除外。”
- How does China compare with other countries on foreign currency cash?
- Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit foreign currency cash, 19 limit it and 0 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) — 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） · 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) — 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法，第三条（国家外汇管理局、海关总署，2004年第5号国务院公报） · verified 2026-09-19