Restrictions on Import and Export Goods

Goods purchased in China must comply with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China. The import of goods is permitted by the state under relevant laws and regulations. The following are the key legal provisions:

The current revised version of the “Prohibited Import and Export Goods List of the People’s Republic of China” and the “Restricted Import and Export Goods List of the People’s Republic of China” became effective on March 1, 1993. The previous version, issued on November 1, 1987, titled “Announcement by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on Prohibited and Restricted Import and Export Goods,” has been abolished.

Prohibited Import and Export Goods of the People’s Republic of China

I. Prohibited Import Goods

• Various weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
• Counterfeit currency and securities.
• Items harmful to China’s politics, economy, culture, and morals, including printed materials, films, photographs, music, videos, audio tapes, video tapes, laser discs, and computer storage media.
• A variety of potent poisons.
• Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other addictive and psychotropic drugs.
• Animals, plants, and their products carrying dangerous bacteria, pests, or other harmful organisms.
• Foods, medicines, or other items that pose a health hazard, originate from epidemic areas, or can spread diseases.

II. Prohibited Export Goods

• All items included in the scope of prohibited imports.
• Items involving national secrets, including manuscripts, printed materials, films, photographs, music, videos, audio tapes, video tapes, laser discs, and computer storage media.
• Precious cultural relics and other items of significant cultural value.
• Endangered and rare animals, plants (including specimens), and their seeds or reproductive materials.

Restricted Import and Export Goods of the People’s Republic of China

I. Restricted Import Goods

• Radio transceivers and communication security devices.
• Cigarettes and alcohol.
• Endangered and rare animals, plants (including specimens), and their seeds or reproductive materials.
• National currency.
• Other items restricted by customs regulations.

II. Restricted Export Goods

• Gold, silver, valuable metals, and related ornaments.
• National currency.
• Foreign currency and negotiable securities.
• Radio transceivers and communication security devices.
• Precious Chinese herbal medicines.
• General cultural relics.
• Other items restricted from exportation by customs regulations.

For a detailed and updated list of restricted and prohibited goods, please refer to the official publications by the People’s Republic of China Customs Authority.