When traveling to China by plane, you are allowed to bring certain items with you, such as:
- Up to 400 cigarettes
- Household electrical appliances and other personal items, as long as they are intended for personal use and will be taken out of the country
- Jewelry for personal use
As for alcohol, you can import a maximum of 1.5 liters of any alcoholic beverages into China. However, there are plenty of opportunities to purchase quality and reasonably priced alcohol within the country. The amount of alcohol you can take out of China depends on the customs regulations of the country you plan to enter.
When leaving China, it's important to be aware of customs regulations regarding the items you can take with you:
- Do not attempt to take valuable items or antiques out of China without proper receipts to prove your purchase, as this is illegal. This also applies to most artwork and valuable souvenirs.
- Prohibited items for import and export include weapons, drugs, poison, and explosives.
- It is forbidden to take Chinese currency out of the country. The import of Chinese currency is limited to 6,000 CNY. Import and export of foreign currency is generally unlimited, but amounts equivalent to 5,000 USD or more must be declared. Unused local currency can be exchanged back to foreign currency with a valid exchange certificate within six months of your stay.
It's worth noting that there are limited stores in China that participate in the Tax-Free system. On Hainan Island in Sanya, a few outlets issue Tax-Free checks for purchases over 5,000 CNY, primarily in high-end shopping malls. Markets typically do not offer Tax-Free services, and communication may be challenging due to language barriers.
Refund points for Tax-Free shopping are not widely available in China. Some locations where you can potentially find refund points include:
- Beijing Airport (Terminal 3, 2nd floor, domestic arrivals hall)
- Qinglan Hotel building (Dong Si Shi Tiao, 24) in Beijing
- 99 Nanjing Dong Road in Shanghai
- Guangdong International Hotel (Huan Shi Dong Road, 339) in Guangzhou
- Bank branch at 10 Des Voeux Road Central in Hong Kong
It's advisable to inquire about Tax-Free services at the specific stores where you make purchases and gather all necessary documentation for potential refunds before leaving China.
