CarryRules

How much Personal exemption, absence over 48 hours can I bring into China?

Allowed

You can bring Personal exemption, absence over 48 hours into China without a special limit.

Carried Allowed
Declaration Not required
Limit 5,000 CNY

What you need to know

  • No stated quantity
  • Value cap: 5,000 CNY
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Personal exemption, absence over 48 hours in China

How much personal exemption, absence over 48 hours can I bring into China?
China publishes no quantity limit for personal exemption, absence over 48 hours carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号 · verified 2026-09-19

Do I have to declare personal exemption, absence over 48 hours at China customs?
No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号 · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare personal exemption, absence over 48 hours 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship personal exemption, absence over 48 hours 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take personal exemption, absence over 48 hours out of China?
China publishes no separate rule for taking personal exemption, absence over 48 hours out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the China limit for personal exemption, absence over 48 hours apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号 · verified 2026-09-19

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 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “第十一条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。”

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号 · verified 2026-09-19

How does China compare with other countries on personal exemption, absence over 48 hours?
Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal exemption, absence over 48 hours, 2 limit it and 17 let it through. China is among the more permissive.