入境中国能带多少现金：限额与申报要求

English

How Much Cash Can You Bring into China? Limits and Declaration

Many travellers ask how much cash they can bring into China. Chinese customs sets clear limits and declaration requirements for RMB and foreign currency in cash, and failing to declare amounts above the threshold may lead to penalties.

• RMB limit: travellers may carry no more than RMB 20,000 in cash when entering or leaving China on each trip.
• Foreign cash on entry: if you bring in foreign currency notes worth more than the equivalent of USD 5,000, you must declare them to customs in writing. Special rules apply to people who cross the border multiple times in one day or repeatedly within a short period.
• Foreign cash on exit: if the amount does not exceed what you declared on your most recent entry, no permit is needed. Otherwise, amounts up to USD 5,000 are released without a permit; amounts above USD 5,000 and up to USD 10,000 require a Foreign Exchange Carrying Permit from a bank; amounts above USD 10,000 require a permit from the local branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
• How to declare: complete the Customs Declaration Form for Inbound and Outbound Passengers' Luggage and Articles (on paper or as electronic data) and use the red channel for customs verification. You can also pre-fill the electronic declaration via the 'Customs Passenger Service' mini-programme in WeChat or Alipay.
• Consequences of not declaring: where an individual fails to declare truthfully when transporting or carrying articles in or out of China, customs may issue a warning and impose a fine of up to 20% of the value of the articles, and confiscate any illegal gains. Concealment, disguise or false reporting to evade customs supervision is treated as smuggling.
• Gold and valuables: there is no quantity limit on bringing gold and silver into China, but you must declare and register them with the customs office at the place of entry. In customs' published replies, carrying gold and gold products over 50 grams generally requires a written declaration. When carrying or re-carrying gold and silver out, customs releases them against a certificate issued by the People's Bank of China or the amount registered on your original entry declaration form.

It helps to distinguish cash from non-cash instruments. Foreign-currency payment instruments and securities — such as drafts, traveller's cheques, international credit cards and bank deposit certificates — are not currently managed by customs as cash, but the relevant foreign-exchange rules still apply.

If you genuinely need to carry more than the limit, the safest approach is to confirm the limit before departure, declare truthfully, and keep proof of the lawful source of the funds. If in doubt before clearing customs, call the customs service hotline 12360 or use the 'Customs Passenger Service' mini-programme to declare in advance.

Frequently asked questions: (1) Are RMB and foreign currency counted separately? Yes — RMB and foreign currency each have their own limits and declaration rules. (2) How does it work when travelling with children? Limits apply per person per trip, and minors have their own allowance. (3) Does using the green channel mean no declaration is needed? The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare in writing; if you carry more cash than the prescribed amount, you should proactively use the red channel and declare.

The above is general guidance only. For specific requirements and the latest rules, please refer to official announcements.

References

• 海关总署公告 2025 年第 43 号：关于进出境人员行李物品申报有关事宜的公告
• 国家外汇管理局、海关总署：《携带外币现钞出入境管理暂行办法》
• 《中华人民共和国海关行政处罚实施条例》（国务院令第 420 号）
• 《中华人民共和国金银管理条例》第五章（金银进出国境管理）