How much Unmanned aircraft / drone can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Unmanned aircraft / drone into China only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号 State Council Tariff Commission
- 工业和信息化部关于印发《民用无人驾驶航空器无线电管理暂行办法》的通知 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China
Questions about Unmanned aircraft / drone in China
- Do I have to declare unmanned aircraft / drone at China customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare unmanned aircraft / drone 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.
- Can I post or ship unmanned aircraft / drone 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 unmanned aircraft / drone out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking unmanned aircraft / drone out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for unmanned aircraft / drone 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 工业和信息化部关于印发《民用无人驾驶航空器无线电管理暂行办法》的通知. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “进口应当取得型号核准的民用无人驾驶航空器通信系统无线电发射设备，携带、寄递或者以其他方式运输应当取得型号核准而未取得型号核准的民用无人驾驶航空器通信系统无线电发射设备临时进关的，应当按照《无线电发射设备管理规定》相关要求执行。”
- How does China compare with other countries on unmanned aircraft / drone?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit unmanned aircraft / drone, 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) — 工业和信息化部关于印发《民用无人驾驶航空器无线电管理暂行办法》的通知 · 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) — 工业和信息化部关于印发《民用无人驾驶航空器无线电管理暂行办法》的通知 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 工业和信息化部关于印发《民用无人驾驶航空器无线电管理暂行办法》的通知 · verified 2026-09-19