Restricted & Prohibited Items for China Entry (2026)

When you're preparing to travel to mainland China, you might wonder which items are allowed in your luggage. Could everyday things like snacks, over-the-counter medicine, or an e-cigarette be considered prohibited? Each year, many travellers have items confiscated or face delays simply because they aren't familiar with China’s entry rules, especially regarding medication.

Don't worry. Trip.com has put together a clear guide covering prohibited items, restricted items, and how to declare your belongings at China Customs. Following this guide will help you pass through customs smoothly and start your trip without stress.

🚫Prohibited Items for Entry into Mainland China

When entering mainland China, travellers must follow customs rules on prohibited items. These rules are in place to prevent animal and plant diseases, protect biosecurity, and maintain public safety and social order.
In general, weapons, drugs, harmful materials, certain food and medicines, animals and plants, and high-risk biological items are not allowed. Carrying prohibited items may lead to confiscation, fines, or even criminal liability.
Below is a detailed list of items that cannot be brought into mainland China.

1. Weapons, Drugs and Dangerous Items💥

The following items are strictly prohibited:

• All types of weapons, imitation weapons, firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Imitation weapons with attack or defence functions, including stun guns, tear gas devices, replica guns and similar items
• Drugs and narcotics, including opium, morphine, heroin, cannabis, and other addictive narcotic or psychotropic substances
• Strong poisons
• Counterfeit currency and forged securities
• Printed materials, films, photos, recordings, electronic storage devices, or other items that are harmful to China’s political, economic, cultural, or moral interests

2. Animals and Animal Products🥩

Travellers are not allowed to bring in:

• Live animals, except dogs and cats approved in advance with quarantine certificates
• Raw or cooked meat and meat products
• Aquatic animal products
• Milk and dairy products of animal origin
• Eggs and egg products
• Bird’s nest products, except commercially sterilised canned bird’s nest
• Animal fats and oils
• Animal skins, raw wool, hooves, claws, bones, teeth, horns and related products
• Animal-based feed, fertiliser, traditional medicines, and other animal by-products

3. Plants and Plant Products🌿

The following plant items are prohibited:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Fresh cut flowers
• Tobacco leaves
• Seeds, seedlings, and other reproductive plant materials
• Plants, plant products, or materials with the ability to reproduce

4. High-Risk Biosecurity and Quarantine Items☣

Items that pose biosecurity risks are not allowed, including:

• Animals, plants, or products carrying dangerous bacteria, pests, or other harmful organisms
• Food or medicine from disease-affected areas that may harm human or animal health
• Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and harmful insects
• Veterinary biological products
• Cells, tissues, organs, blood, and related biological materials
• Animal carcasses, specimens, animal waste
• Soil and organic growing media
• Genetically modified biological materials
• Other animals, plants, products, or quarantine items banned by the state

5. Other Prohibited Items❌

• Maps that incorrectly show or label China’s territory
• Small items that may be modified for spying, recording, tracking, or surveillance purposes

Important Reminder for Travellers⚠

If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, you should declare it through the red channel at customs. Undeclared prohibited items may be confiscated, and serious cases can result in legal penalties.
Before travelling, it is strongly recommended to check the official lists of prohibited and restricted items issued by Chinese customs to avoid delays, confiscation, or destruction of personal belongings.

⚠Restricted Items for Entry into Mainland China

Some items are allowed to enter mainland China, but only if they meet specific limits on quantity, value, or require official approval. These mainly include tobacco and alcohol, cash, animals and plants, medicines, and certain special or controlled items.
If you carry restricted items over the allowed limits or without the required documents, you must declare them at customs. Details are listed below.

Restricted Items List (Overview Table)

🛃How to Declare Items at China Customs

When entering mainland China, whether you need to declare items at customs depends on what you are carrying, how much you bring, and how the items enter the country.
If you carry items beyond personal use, restricted goods, large amounts of cash, or items sent separately or by post, you must declare them to China Customs.
Below is a clear guide to help you understand when and how to declare items, and what to expect at customs.

1. Do You Need to Declare Your Items?

You need to declare items in the following situations:

• Carrying prohibited items such as weapons, drugs, or endangered animals
• Carrying restricted items like plants, animals, or certain medicines
• Items over the personal allowance (for residents: 5,000 RMB; for non-residents: 2,000 RMB)
• Separated luggage transported separately from your main baggage
• Items entering for commercial purposes

If your items are within personal limits and not restricted, you can use the Green Channel (no declaration needed). Otherwise, use the Red Channel and complete a declaration form.

2. How to Declare Items

A. Carry-On and Checked Baggage

Tips:

• Always declare prohibited or restricted items, even if they seem minor
• Fill out the declaration form truthfully to avoid fines or confiscation

B. Separated Luggage (Arriving Later)

1. Declare at arrival: Inform customs, fill out the form, and mark “Separated Luggage”
2. Bring later: Within 6 months, bring the luggage and submit supporting documents (ID, waybill, packing list) for customs clearance

C. Items Sent by Post or Courier

D. Special Cases

• High-level talents moving to China for work or residence over 1 year: Can apply for duty-free clearance for personal items using a special customs form
• Scientific or educational equipment: Small quantities for research or teaching may be exempt with proper documents

3. Commonly Declared Items

• Personal items: Within reasonable self-use limits
• Medications: Prescription medicines or drugs with controlled substances require proof
• Plants, animals, and related products: Some items need quarantine approval
• Cash: Amounts exceeding USD 5,000 (or equivalent) must be declared

4. Consequences of Not Declaring

Failing to declare prohibited or restricted items may result in:

• Confiscation of items
• Fines
• Delays or other legal penalties

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