How much Spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Spare (loose) lithium batteries into China only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 2 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
On the plane
International baseline
Airline differences
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识 Civil Aviation Administration of China
Questions about Spare (loose) lithium batteries in China
- How many spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into China?
- China allows 2 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 2 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries?
- 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?
- In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
- Does the China limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “1.便携式电子设备中的锂电池、备用锂电池（含充电宝）的额定能量不超过100Wh时，可以随身携带，但禁止作为行李托运；如果大于100Wh，但不超过160Wh（含）时，需经航空公司批准后，方可运输，仅可随身携带且每人限带2块。”
- How does China compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 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) — 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识 · 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) — Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, 2025-2026 Edition, Addendum No. 1 · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中国民用航空局--航空旅行常识 · verified 2026-09-19