Customs Declaration

Customs declaration refers: to fulfill obligations arising from The Customs Law of the PRC, inward and outward passengers make a written declaration of the carried luggage to the Customs.

The inward and outward passenger who shall make customs declaration in accordance with the regulations shall submit China Customs Declaration for Inward Passengers or China Customs Baggage Declaration for Outward Passengers and other declaration documents to the Customs at declaration counter, and make a truthful declaration of the carrying baggage.

Inward or outward passengers need to present valid travel documents and authentication, and present certification, business vouchers and other necessary documents issued by relevant authorities of PRC to permit the import or export of the goods for examination. The declaration form shall be filled by the passenger himself and hand over to the Customs; if entrust other people, the declaration form shall be signed by the passenger himself.

Passport

Passport

Who need to file customs declaration to the Customs?

Inward passengers carrying the any of the following articles need to file customs declaration to the Customs.

1. Personal articles which are valued at RMB 2,000 or above.

2. Alcoholic drinks of 1500ml or above (containing 12% or above alcoholic content); cigarettes of 400 sticks or above; cigars of 100 sticks or above; tobacco of 500g or above.

3. RMB 20,000 cash or above, or any other foreign currencies in cash equivalent to US $5,000 or above.

4. Animals, plants, animal and plant products, microbes, biological products, human tissues, blood and blood products.

5. Radio transmitters, radio receivers, communication security equipment.

6. Goods of commercial value, samples, advertisements.

7. Unaccompanied baggage.

8. Other articles which are prohibited or restricted from being brought into the territory regulated by the law of China.

Outward passengers carrying the any of the following articles need to file customs declaration to the Customs.

1. Camera, video camera, laptop computer or other trip necessities valued each at over RMB 5,000.

2. RMB 20,000 cash or above, or any other foreign currencies in cash equivalent to US $5,000 or above.

3. Cultural relics, endangered animals and plants and their products, biological species resource, gold, silver and other precious metals.

4. Goods of commercial value, samples, advertisements.

5. Radio transmitters, radio receivers, communication security equipment.

6. Other articles which are prohibited or restricted to bring out China in accordance with the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026?
It depends on your nationality. China offers visa-free entry to citizens of 38+ countries, 240-hour visa-free transit for 55 countries, and 30-day visa exemptions for many European and Asian nations. Check our full visa guide for details specific to your passport.
How long does it take to get a Chinese visa?
Standard processing takes 4-5 business days at most Chinese embassies. Express service (2-3 days) and rush service (1 day) are available at higher fees. We recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your trip.
What documents do I need for a China tourist visa?
You need a valid passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), completed application form, passport photo, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and proof of financial means. U.S. nationals don't need to show hotel bookings or flight itineraries.
Can WeTrip help with my China visa application?
Yes! WeTrip provides invitation letters, itinerary documents, and step-by-step visa guidance as part of our tour packages. Our team has helped 210,000+ travelers navigate the visa process successfully.
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