How much Cigars can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Cigars into China only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 100 piece
- Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
- Extra conditions apply
- Only one of these allowances can be used per trip.
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
If you do not declare
- Step 1: Flat rate tax
- Step 2: Confiscation, Administrative fine
- Step 3: Confiscation, Criminal prosecution
Official sources
Questions about Cigars in China
- How many cigars can I bring into China?
- China allows 100 cigars 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 cigars at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 100 cigars 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 cigars in China?
- If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. If it is treated as smuggling, the goods are confiscated; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for cigars?
- Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
- Can I post or ship cigars 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.
- Is there a minimum age for the cigars allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigars at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take cigars out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking cigars out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for cigars 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 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “居民旅客入境时携带的雪茄不超过100支。”
- Is the cigars rule in China different for residents, visitors or crew?
- This allowance applies to Resident.
- How does China compare with other countries on cigars?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigars, 15 limit it and 6 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) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 海关总署公告2010年第54号——关于调整进出境居民和非居民旅客行李物品验放标准的公告 (GACC Announcement on Adjusting Inspection and Release Standards for Baggage Articles of Resident and Non-resident Passengers) · verified 2026-09-16