How much dry ice can I bring into China?
- Official classification
- Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)
Restricted
You can bring dry ice into China only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 2.5 kilogram (5.51 lb)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范 中国民用航空局
Questions about Dry ice in China
- How much dry ice can I bring into China?
- China allows 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice 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 dry ice?
- 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 dry ice 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 dry ice out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for dry ice 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 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “应获得经营人批准。干冰仅限用于非限制性的易腐物品的制冷，包装件应能释放二氧化碳气体，每人可携带的干冰净数量不超过2.5 kg。”
- How does China compare with other countries on dry ice?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice, 12 limit it and 8 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) — 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范 · 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) — 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 旅客和机组携带危险品的航空运输规范 · verified 2026-09-19