Customs

Customs examination focuses on the supervisory inspection of imported and exported goods, postal articles, buggage, currencies, gold and silver, securities etc. Travelers should declare accurately and fulfill all the necessary customs formalities before everything being done. Some goods are forbidden to carry, while some are limited. The following details will help to avoid bumping into troubles when passing customs.

Prohibited Exports

1. all articles mentioned as articles prohibited from import;

2. manuscripts, printed matter, films, photos, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and video-tapes, compact discs (video&audio),storage media for computers and other articles which involve state secrets;

3. valuable cultural relics and other relics prohibited from export;

4. endangered and rare animals, plants (including their specimens)and their seeds or reproducing materials.

Prohibited Imports

1. Weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition and explosives of all kinds;

2. Counterfeit currency and counterfeit negotiable securities;

3. Printed matter, films, photos, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and video- tapes,compact discs (video&audio), storage media for computers and other articles which are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China;

4. Deadly poisons of all kinds;

5. Opium, morphine, heroin, marihuana and other addiction inducing or hallucinatory drugs;

6. Animals, plants and products made thereof infected with or carrying diseases, insect pests and other harmful organisms;

7. Foodstuffs, medicines and other articles coming from epidemic-stricken areas and harmful to humans and livestock, or those capable of spreading diseases.

Limited Goods and ArticlesForeign exchange

When enter the customs, no restrictions are imposed on the amount of foreign currency, travelers’ checks and credit cards. However , non-residents carrying more than 5,000 US dollars in cash should declare to the Customs, who shall permit foreign exchange to be carried out based on the declarations or on relevant regulations issude by the National Administration of Exchange Control.

Gold, silver and ornaments made thereof

Passengers should declare to the Customs if the amount of gold, silver and other ornaments made thereof they are carrying exceeds 50 grams. Any consignment for export of gold. Silver and ornaments made thereof (including handicrafts of inlaid goldware and silverware) purchased in the territory shall only be allowed with special invoices issued by the People’s Bank of China.

Cultural relics (including works by late moden famous painters and calligraphers)

Travelers who want to bring cultural relices in or out of the country should fulfull declaration form beforehand. Cultural relics intended for export shall be sent in advance to the Cultural Administrative Departments for verification. The Customs shall release them on the basis of authentic marks affixed on the works by the cultural administrative departments and invoices for permitting cultural relics out of the territory, or export license. If without any license or approvement, travelers should not bring any relices out of the country, otherwise, you may get into trouble.

Chinese herbs and Chinese patent medicines

1. The limits on the value of Chinese herbs and medicines to be carried out to foreign countries shall be within 300 RMB / per person, and 150 RMB to Hong Kong or Macao.

2. The limits on the value of medicine sent by post shall be within 200 RMB abroad, and 100 RMB to Hong Kong and Macao.

3. When check the quanitity of herbs and medicines, customs staff should also examine the receipts or bills carefully to ensure everything is ok.

4. Export of musk and other Chinese herbs and medicines in excess of the prescribed limit mentioned above is prohibited.

Tip: Before traveling to or leaving another country, you should high values the checking process in the Customs. Maybe some subtle things will totally ruin your jounery. Please abid the laws of the country and wish you a happy trip here!