Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers (2024)

Welcome to China!

This guide is provided on an informational basis to assist you in going through the Customs formalities when you enter or leave China through international airports, seaports, train or bus stations.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

  • In accordance with “Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China”, inward and outward passengers shall enter or leave the territory at the place where the Customs is established. Passengers shall be subject to Customs control, and shall declare honestly to the Customs.

  • All inward and outward passengers entering or leaving China, except those who are exempted from examination or control in accordance with relevant regulations and those under the age of 16 traveling with adults, shall complete<CHINA Customs BAGGAGE DECLARATION FOR OUTWARD PASSENGERS>or<CHINA Customs BAGGAGE DECLARATION FOR INWARD PASSENGERS>(hereinafter referred to as<DECLARATION FORM>) and declare truthfully to the Customs.

  • The inward and outward passengers who have nothing to declare shall choose the “Nothing to Declare Channel” (GREEN CHANNEL). Personal articles, carried by inward passengers, within the limitation set by the Customs, are exempted from duty, and personal articles carried by outward passengers shall be released.

  • The inward and outward passengers carrying articles to declare shall choose the “Goods to Declare Channel” (RED CHANNEL).

  • The<DECLARATION FORM>verified and endorsed by the Customs shall be kept properly, and shall be re-submitted to the Customs at the time of return if necessary.

  • Seals affixed by the Customs on the baggage shall not be opened or broken without Customs prior authorization.

  • Passengers who are not certain about the above instructions shall ask the Customs officers for details or choose the “Goods to Declare Channel” (RED CHANNEL).

CUSTOMS RELEASE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES

CAUTION: Inward or outward baggage effects, personal articles carried by international passengers shall be limited to the PERSONAL USE only and subject to REASONABLE QUANTITY control.

CAUTION: Inward passengers with the articles listed below SHALL choose “GOODS TO DECLARE” (RED CHANNEL).

ItemsCustoms Control
1Personal articles from overseas, valued at RMB5,000 or above, carried by Chinese residents.The exceeding part or amount (subject to reasonable personal use) above the limitation set by the Customs shall be levied duty upon.
2Personal articles intended to remain in the territory, valued at RMB2,000 or above, carried by non-Chinese residents.
31,500ml or above of alcoholic drinks (containing 12% or above alcoholic content); 400 sticks or above of cigarettes; 100 sticks or above of cigars; 500g or above of tobacco.
4RMB20,000 cash or above, or any other foreign currencies in cash equivalent to US$5,000 or above.Items will be dealt with according to the current regulations.

Passengers carrying foreign currencies in cash worth more than US$5,000 and intending to take the currencies out of China in the future shall fill out two declaration forms. After being endorsed by the Customs, one copy of the declaration forms will be returned to the passengers for future use at the time when leaving China.

5Animals and plants, animal and plant products, microbes, biological products, human tissues, blood and blood products.Items will be dealt with according to the current regulations.
6Radio transmitters, radio receivers, communication security equipments.
7Other articles which are prohibited or restricted from being brought into the territory in accordance with the law of the People’s Republic of China.
8Goods of commercial value, samples, advertisem*nts.
9Unaccompanied baggage.

CAUTION: Outward passengers with the articles listed below SHALL choose “GOODS TO DECLARE” (RED CHANNEL).

ItemsCustoms Control
1Camera, video camera, laptop computer or other trip necessities valued each at over RMB5,000, and intended to be brought back at the end of the trip.Passengers shall fill out two declaration forms. After being endorsed by the Customs, one copy of the declaration forms will be returned to the passengers for use at the time when re-entering China.
2RMB20,000 cash or above, or any other foreign currencies in cash equivalent to US$5,000 or above.Items will be dealt with according to the current regulations.
3Gold, silver and other precious metals.
4Cultural relics, endangered animals or plants and products thereof, biology species resources.
5Radio transmitters, radio receivers, communication security equipments.
6Other articles which are prohibited or restricted from being brought out of the territory in accordance with the law of the People’s Republic of China.
7Goods of commercial value, samples, advertisem*nts.

TIPS! The onsite clearance flow for the inward and outward passengers:

  • Obtain the declaration form

  • Read the instruction on the reverse side carefully.

  • Fill out the declaration form

  • Choose the Customs declaration channel

  • Submit the declaration form

  • Conduct the Customs formalities.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

- PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ARTICLES

CAUTION: Please don’t bring such articles into or out of China, or you are liable for the violation of the law and the following consequences.

Your are subject to punishment if you fail to declare to the Customs when carrying the articles listed above.

  • Articles Prohibited from Importation:

  1. Arms, imitation arms, ammunition and explosives of all kinds.

  2. Counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities.

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

  4. Deadly poison of all kinds.

  5. Opium, morphine, heroin, marihuana and other addictive drugs and psychotropic substances.

  6. Fruits, solanaceae vegetables, live animals (except dogs and cats as pet), animal products, pathogenic micro-organisms of animals and plants, pests and other harmful organisms, animal carcasses, soil, genetically modified organisms, relevant animals and plants, their products and other objects subject to quarantine from countries or regions with prevalent epidemic animal or plant diseases.

  7. Foodstuff, medicine and other articles coming from epidemic stricken area or harmful to man and livestock or those which might spread disease.

  • Articles Prohibited from Exportation:

  1. All articles enumerated as articles prohibited from Importation.

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

  3. Valuable cultural relics and other relics prohibited from Exportation.

  4. Endangered and precious rare animals and plants (including their specimens), their seeds and reproducing materials.


- EXCHANGE CONTROL

CAUTION: Passengers fail to observe the exchange regulation are subject to the administrative penalty fine or even get their currencies confiscated.

  • Foreign exchange:

There are no quantitative restrictions imposed on the foreign currencies, traveler’s checks, or letters of credit brought in.

However, inward passengers shall accurately declare to the Customs if carrying foreign currencies in cash worth more than 5,000 U.S. dollars. The Customs shall release it on passengers' departure upon the declaration made at the last entry.

Without last time declaration record of foreign currencies in cash, or if the recorded amount is less than what the passengers carry this time, the Customs shall release the discrepancies upon certificate issued by the Foreign Exchange Bureau or its authorized banks.

  • RMB

The limit of RMB allowed to bring in or take out is 20,000 yuan. The exceeding part is prohibited.

Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers (2024)

FAQs

How do I fill out a customs form for international travel? ›

To correctly fill out your customs declaration, you will need the following information:
  1. Name and complete address of the sender.
  2. Complete address and name of receiver.
  3. Item description (if there are several different products in the same package, note them all separately)
  4. Quantity of items.
  5. Value of each item.
Feb 4, 2020

How do I complete import customs clearance? ›

The 4 steps of the customs clearance process
  1. Shipping label, invoices, and other paperwork is checked by customs. Every international shipment requires specific paperwork to verify the contents, origin, and destination of the shipment. ...
  2. Taxes and duties are determined, requested, and paid. ...
  3. Package(s) is cleared.
May 28, 2024

What is international customs clearance? ›

The purpose of customs clearance is to ensure that all applicable import duties and taxes are paid and that goods comply with all relevant regulations. To clear customs, businesses or individuals must provide detailed information about the shipment, including its value, origin, destination, and contents.

What happens if you don't fill out a customs form? ›

If you don't, the customs officials in the receiving country may reject and return (or, in certain cases, may even destroy) your package. Note: If you're mailing First-Class Mail International® service envelopes containing only documents that don't require customs forms, these new rules don't apply to you.

Who must fill out a customs declaration form? ›

Generally, written declarations are required from travelers arriving by air or sea. Section 148.12 requires verbal declarations from travelers entering the United States.

What are the three 3 main documents required for import customs clearance? ›

Basic Import Documents To Clear Customs
  • Commercial Invoice. This document is used for foreign trade. ...
  • Packing List. Provided by the shipper or freight forwarder, the packing list may be used by customs to check the cargo. ...
  • Bill of Lading (BOL) ...
  • Arrival Notice.

How do you pass custom clearance? ›

Import and customs clearance
  1. Notice of arrival of goods.
  2. Physical inspection of the means of transport and /or release of the shipment.
  3. Goods declaration – when possible – or introduction in the Temporary Customs Warehouse, waiting to gather useful information for the customs clearance procedure.
  4. Payment of customs duties.

What is the procedure for customs clearance? ›

Procedure for Clearance of Imported and Export Goods
  1. Signed invoice.
  2. Packing list.
  3. Bill of Lading or Delivery Order/Airway Bill.
  4. GATT declaration form duly filled in.
  5. Importers/CHA's declaration.
  6. License wherever necessary.
  7. Letter of Credit/Bank Draft/wherever necessary.
  8. Insurance document.

How long does international customs clearance take? ›

Frequently asked questions about customs clearance (FAQs)

Customs clearance usually takes one to two days as long as the goods are shipped in compliance with all customs regulatory requirements, including all the documentation and information required are submitted accurately for clearance.

What are customs clearance instructions? ›

Customs Clearance Process: 4 Easy Steps to Follow
  • Key Points:
  • A customs officer examines your customs paperwork. ...
  • Import duties and taxes are assessed using the customs paperwork. ...
  • Customs requests payment for taxes and duties, if applicable. ...
  • Your shipment clears customs once all duties are paid.

Who is responsible for customs clearance? ›

Payment and Clearance - The importer is responsible for paying the duties, taxes, and fees. Once payment is made, customs authorities issue a customs clearance certificate or release order, and goods can proceed to their final destination.

How to fill out a customs form for international travel? ›

How to Complete US Customs FORM 6059B
  1. Name: Write your complete name as it appears on your passport.
  2. Birth Date: Fill in your birth date in the MM/DD/YY format.
  3. Number of Family Members Traveling with You: Include any family members traveling with you in your immediate family.

Can you fill out a customs form online? ›

As required under 123.6, a fully completed electronically generated customs form is required for international mail. A mailer may obtain an electronically generated customs form by using Click-N-Ship service, the Customs Form Online application, or USPS-approved vendor software, as described in 123.3.

Do I have to declare everything at customs? ›

As a general rule of thumb, anything you obtained abroad needs to be declared. Some examples include: Purchases made abroad, including gifts for friends and family or something you will use or sell in your business. A gift you received while abroad.

Can I fill out a U.S. Customs form online? ›

Form 6059B Customs Declaration in English and Fillable. This form can be now be filled out prior to or during your travel and be filled out by typing (instead of hand written) and then printed and taken with you as your official Customs Declaration.

What form do I need to fill out for international travel? ›

A Form I-94 is needed by all visitors except: U.S. Citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit.

How to list items on customs form? ›

Some Items on a Customs Form Frequently Required Include:
  1. Name and address of the shipper or seller.
  2. Description of the item or items.
  3. A listing of quantity of each item in the package.
  4. Purchase prices of each item in the package.
  5. The weight of the package. ...
  6. Country of origin of the product.

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