How much Personal-use medicines (non-controlled) can I bring into China?
Allowed
You can bring Personal-use medicines (non-controlled) into China without a special limit.
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
- 药品进口管理办法 国家市场监督管理总局
Questions about Personal-use medicines (non-controlled) in China
- Do I have to declare personal-use medicines (non-controlled) at China customs?
- No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
- What happens if I do not declare personal-use medicines (non-controlled) 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 personal-use medicines (non-controlled) 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 personal-use medicines (non-controlled) out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking personal-use medicines (non-controlled) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for personal-use medicines (non-controlled) 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 药品进口管理办法. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “进出境人员随身携带的个人自用的少量药品,应当以自用、合理数量为限,并接受海关监管。”
- How does China compare with other countries on personal-use medicines (non-controlled)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use medicines (non-controlled), 5 limit it and 15 let it through. China is among the more permissive.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 药品进口管理办法 · 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) — 药品进口管理办法 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 药品进口管理办法 · verified 2026-09-19