China's Customs Rules — Why You Need to Know Them for Business and Beyond

Article content: 

1. Export and import of goods from China: rules and nuances.
2. List of prohibited goods from China — what cannot be imported or exported.
3. Import and Export Restrictions.
4. Customs Duty from China.
5. DiFFreight — your customs clearance assistant.

Many are familiar with customs procedures when traveling to Poland and neighboring countries. But how do you import goods from China, a distant country with its own laws and regulations? Let’s explore the customs nuances of the Middle Kingdom — what and how much you can bring in or take out.

Export and import of goods from China: rules and nuances

You can find detailed information on the PRC Customs Service website if you plan to engage in import or export. Overall, the regulations are similar to European ones:

• there is a list of permitted goods and those that must be declared — import and export are allowed;
• restrictions — on quantity, weight, value, and a number of categories requiring licenses and certificates;
• completely prohibited items.

Cargo transportation for commercial purposes falls under different rules.

List of prohibited goods from China — what cannot be imported or exported

Import bans:

• Weapons, their imitations, ammunition, and explosives.
• Counterfeit money and securities.
• Materials in any format (printed, photo, video, audio, etc.) that damage the politics, economy, culture, or morality of the PRC.
• Potent poisons.
• Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other narcotic and psychotropic substances.
• Animals, plants, and products containing dangerous microorganisms, pests, or other threats.
• Food, medicines, and items that pose a health risk from epidemic zones or capable of spreading diseases.

Export bans:

• All items listed as prohibited for import.
• Materials in any format (manuscripts, printed matter, photos, video, audio, and others) containing state secrets.
• Precious artifacts and cultural relics are prohibited from export.
• Rare, valuable, endangered species of animals and plants (including samples), their seeds and propagation materials.

The country strictly enforces customs laws, especially those related to drugs, weapons, and state security. It should be noted that the death penalty is still in effect in the PRC.

Import and Export Restrictions

If the limit is exceeded, a declaration must be completed, and in some cases, a duty must be paid.

Import restrictions into China:

• Alcohol and tobacco: quotas are 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages (with strength of 12% or more), 400 cigarettes / 100 cigars / 500g of smoking tobacco.
• Gold, silver, and items made from them must be declared if their weight exceeds 50g.
• Non-residents may import duty-free goods to be used (consumed) in the country, totaling up to 2,000 CNY (≈ 1,130 UAH).
• The import of national currency is limited to 6,000 CNY.
• For valuable items worth more than 5,000 CNY (≈ 28,000 UAH) for personal use, a declaration is required but without duty payment.
• Any foreign currency up to the equivalent of 5,000 USD. Amounts above must be declared.
• Medications — volume must not exceed a 7-day personal supply. If exceeded, the items are considered cargo and subject to declaration.

The following items do not need to be declared:

• personal belongings;
• wristwatches;
• radios;
• tape recorders;
• cameras;
• camcorders and similar equipment.

Brokerage services

Get more information

Goods worth more than 5,000 CNY and not considered for personal use must go through customs inspection and tax payment.

Export restrictions:

• Artwork and antiques without receipts confirming their value. Customs officers closely inspect even souvenir products — keep the receipts.
• Valuable items (even for personal use) exceeding 5,000 CNY per unit.
• Medicinal products, herbs: limit of 300 CNY (about 1,700 UAH) for international trips and up to 150 CNY for travel to Hong Kong and Macao.
• For one dog or cat, certification is required (vaccination and quarantine).

We recommend reviewing the latest updates before your trip to ensure customs procedures go smoothly without penalties or confiscations.

Customs Duty from China

China’s customs system includes both import duties — aimed at protecting the domestic market — and export duties, which regulate the export of strategically important resources.

Import duties

What tariffs and taxes apply on imports:

• For individuals (passenger baggage)

The duty-free allowance: 5,000 CNY (for those entering China). For goods above this limit, duties of 13%, 20%, or 50% apply depending on the category.

• For commercial imports

China applies ad valorem (percentage-based) and specific (fixed amount per unit) customs duties. The average customs rate is 7.5% (but varies). For specific goods such as vehicles, tobacco, and alcohol, rates may reach up to 100%.

• Additional taxes and fees

VAT 13% (standard rate), 9% (for some goods), and excise taxes applied to tobacco products, alcohol, cars, oil, and a number of other goods.

Export duties

If you're purchasing goods in China, export charges are more relevant. These apply only to a limited list of goods, mainly strategically important resources or products with a high environmental impact:

• metals (e.g., ferroalloys, refined copper, rare earth elements);
• energy resources (coal, oil, fertilizers);
• timber and some forest industry products.

Export duties are periodically simplified and reduced depending on the economic situation, domestic market demand, and international trade agreements. It's best to verify current rules before starting your supplier search in China.

DiFFreight — your customs clearance assistant

Our company provides international logistics services — not just cargo delivery from China to Ukraine but also assistance with customs checks and inspections. Our brokers will obtain all necessary documents for inspection, consult on limits and duties. We accompany the cargo along the entire route, work with HS codes and offer fast customs clearance at the Ukrainian border. Book a consultation with international freight experts today!