How much Gifts and personal goods can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Gifts and personal goods into China only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Value cap: 5,000 CNY
- Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
- Extra conditions apply
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
- 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 中华人民共和国财政部 关税司（国务院关税税则委员会）
Questions about Gifts and personal goods in China
- How much gifts and personal goods can I bring into China?
- China allows 5,000 CNY 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 gifts and personal goods at China customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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.
- Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for gifts and personal goods apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Does the China rule for gifts and personal goods change depending on where I travel from?
- Yes. China publishes a different rule for arrivals from HK, MO.
- 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 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “对进境居民旅客携带在境外获取总值五千元人民币以内的行李物品，进境非居民旅客携带拟留在境内的总值两千元人民币以内的行李物品，海关予以免税放行。”
- Is the gifts and personal goods rule in China different for residents, visitors or crew?
- This allowance applies to Non-resident, Resident.
- How does China compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 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) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
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) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法（国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件），第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19