Can you bring cash to China?

• Cash

  allowed, must be declared

  Cash declaration thresholds for travelers entering mainland China

  The written-declaration trigger derives from the (国家外汇管理局/海关总署) Interim Measures for the Administration of Carrying Foreign Currency Cash Into and Out of the Country, read together with the Measures of the Customs of the PRC on the Supervision of Inbound and Outbound Passenger Baggage and Articles (effective 1 April 2025), whose Article 9 requires declaring 'currency exceeding the prescribed amount.' Note: China's own National Immigration Administration, when asked by a foreign traveler how much cash may be carried in, explicitly stated this is a Customs matter, not an immigration matter — confirming Customs (not NIA) is the correct authority for this fact. Undeclared cash above the threshold risks detention and penalties under Customs administrative-penalty rules.

  Also covers: cash, currency, money, RMB, foreign currency, banknotes

  Checked 2026-08-18 — Source: State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), Tianjin Branch — official notice reproducing the Interim Measures for the Administration of Carrying Foreign Currency Cash Into and Out of the Country

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Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. See update history