CarryRules

How much Registered antiquities and cultural property can I bring into China?

Declare

You can bring Registered antiquities and cultural property into China, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare
Declaration Required
Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

  • No stated quantity
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Registered antiquities and cultural property in China

Do I have to declare registered antiquities and cultural property at China customs?
Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 新版《文物保护法》今天开始实施!全文发布! · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare registered antiquities and cultural property 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship registered antiquities and cultural property 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take registered antiquities and cultural property out of China?
China publishes no separate rule for taking registered antiquities and cultural property out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the China limit for registered antiquities and cultural property apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 新版《文物保护法》今天开始实施!全文发布! · verified 2026-09-19

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 新版《文物保护法》今天开始实施!全文发布!. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “文物临时进境,应当向海关申报,并报文物进出境审核机构审核、登记。”

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 新版《文物保护法》今天开始实施!全文发布! · verified 2026-09-19

How does China compare with other countries on registered antiquities and cultural property?
Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit registered antiquities and cultural property, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.