How much smoking tobacco can I bring into China?
- Official classification
- Smoking tobacco
Restricted
You can bring smoking 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 Smoking tobacco in China
- How much smoking tobacco can I bring into China?
- China allows 500 grams of smoking 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 smoking tobacco at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 500 grams of smoking 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 smoking 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 smoking 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 smoking 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 smoking tobacco allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for smoking tobacco at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take smoking tobacco out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking smoking tobacco out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for smoking 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. The sentence it rests on reads: “酒精饮料超过1500毫升（酒精含量12度以上），或香烟（含加热卷烟）超过400支，或雪茄超过20支，或烟丝超过500克；电子烟烟具超过2个，或电子烟烟弹（液态雾化物）或烟弹与烟具组合销售的产品（包括一次性电子烟等）超过6个，或烟液容量超过12毫升。”
- How does China compare with other countries on smoking tobacco?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit smoking tobacco, 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) — 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