How much Loose/pipe tobacco can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Loose/pipe tobacco into China only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 500 gram (17.64 oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- Extra conditions apply
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Questions about Loose/pipe tobacco in China
- How much loose/pipe tobacco can I bring into China?
- China allows 500 grams of loose/pipe tobacco 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 loose/pipe tobacco at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 500 grams of loose/pipe tobacco 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 loose/pipe tobacco 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 loose/pipe tobacco?
- 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 loose/pipe tobacco 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 loose/pipe tobacco allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for loose/pipe tobacco at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take loose/pipe tobacco out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking loose/pipe tobacco out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for loose/pipe tobacco 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 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does China compare with other countries on loose/pipe tobacco?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit loose/pipe tobacco, 9 limit it and 11 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) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · 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) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19