How much Personal-use cosmetics (each item) can I bring into China?
Allowed
You can bring Personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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
- 关于进境旅客所携行李物品验放标准有关事宜的公告（海关总署2010年第54号公告） General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Questions about Personal-use cosmetics (each item) in China
- Do I have to declare personal-use cosmetics (each item) at China customs?
- No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
- What happens if I do not declare personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 cosmetics (each item) 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 cosmetics (each item) out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking personal-use cosmetics (each item) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 关于进境旅客所携行李物品验放标准有关事宜的公告（海关总署2010年第54号公告）. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “进境居民旅客携带在境外获取的个人自用进境物品，总值在5000元人民币以内（含5000元）的；非居民旅客携带拟留在中国境内的个人自用进境物品，总值在2000元人民币以内（含2000元）的，海关予以免税放行，单一品种限自用、合理数量，但烟草制品、酒精制品以及国家规定应当征税的20种商品等另按有关规定办理。”
- How does China compare with other countries on personal-use cosmetics (each item)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use cosmetics (each item), 4 limit it and 16 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) — 关于进境旅客所携行李物品验放标准有关事宜的公告（海关总署2010年第54号公告） · 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) — 关于进境旅客所携行李物品验放标准有关事宜的公告（海关总署2010年第54号公告） · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 关于进境旅客所携行李物品验放标准有关事宜的公告（海关总署2010年第54号公告） · verified 2026-09-19