China - Prohibited and Restricted Imports (2024)

Includes a list of goods that are prohibited from being exported to the country or are otherwise restricted.

The following items are prohibited from entering China: arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds; counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities; printed matter, magnetic media, films, or photographs which are deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China; lethal poisons; illicit drugs; disease-carrying animals and plants; foods, medicines, and other articles coming from disease-stricken areas; old/used garments; and local currency (RMB). Food items containing certain food colorings and additives deemed harmful to human health by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) are also barred entry.

In addition, China restricts or prohibits the importation of certain commodities related to the processing trade. The "

Catalogue of Commodities Which are Restricted or Prohibited from Importing for Use in the Processing Trade” is designed to shift the direction of China's processing trade toward handling commodities with higher technological content and greater value-added potential.

The catalogue identifies the following "prohibited commodities": used garments; used publications with licentious content; radioactive or harmful industrial waste; junk cars, used automobiles or components; seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, feed, additives, or antibiotics used in the cultivation or breeding of any export commodity. The catalogue lists seven general types of "restricted commodities": raw materials for plastics, polyester sections, raw materials for chemical fibers, cotton, cotton yarn, cotton cloth, and some steel products. This list was updated yearly beginning in 1999, with the

last one published in 2010.

However, these reports only show updates and do not reflect the final list. U.S. firms should contact the China General Administration of Customs for guidance regarding the import of any of these products. (See below for contact information).

All wood packages should carry an IPPC mark, or it will be subject to further requirements. The latest rule is called the Measures for the Administration of Quarantine and Supervision of Wooden Packages of Imported Goods, promulgated by AQSIQ, effective from January 1, 2006.

Scrap: In 2007, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) published a “

Notice Regarding Renewal Procedures for the License and Registration of Overseas Enterprises of Imported Scrap Materials.” All written application materials should be marked “Renewal Application Materials for Registration of Overseas Supplier Enterprise for Scrap Materials” and mailed to:
Division of Inspection & Supervision, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine of the P.R. of China (AQSIQ)
No. 9, MaDian East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100088, China
Tel: (86 10) 8226-0092

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.

China - Prohibited and Restricted Imports (2024)

FAQs

What are the prohibited and restricted imports in China? ›

The following items are prohibited from entering China: arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds; counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities; printed matter, magnetic media, films, or photographs which are deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China; ...

What cannot be shipped to China? ›

Prohibited Items from Shipping to China

Arms, Ammunition, and Weapons: All forms of weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and explosive devices, are strictly prohibited. This category also extends to non-lethal weapons and replicas.

What are China's trade restrictions? ›

China currently prohibits the importation of remanufactured products, which it typically classifies as used goods. China also maintains a general import prohibition that prevents remanufacturing process inputs (cores) from being imported into China's customs territory other than to its special economic zones.

What food can you not bring to China? ›

1. Banned foods
  • Fruit.
  • Solanaceous vegetables (this means potato, tomato, eggplant, peppers, chilies)
  • Animal products including meat and seafood.
  • Dairy including fresh milk, eggs, cheese, butter and cream.
  • Fats and oils.
Aug 17, 2020

Is TikTok banned in China? ›

TikTok was banned in China but gained a billion users in five years. It is now run by a limited liability company based in Los Angeles and Singapore but is essentially owned by ByteDance. While its founders own only 20% of ByteDance, it's the controlling stake in the company.

What does China not allow? ›

The government has censorship over all media capable of reaching a wide audience. This includes television, print media, radio, film, theater, text messaging, instant messaging, video games, literature, and the internet.

Can I still order things from China? ›

You can buy stuff from China online using certain platforms. For example, Alibaba.com, DH-gate.com, and Made-In-China.com. These sites are usually for businesses who are looking to make large product purchases, so they are referred to as B2B sites.

What food can I send to China? ›

Only ship food that is contained in its original manufacturing packaging. Make sure that the food items have not been tampered with any way. Food label must list all ingredients. The food item needs to have a shelf life longer than 6 months.

Can I bring vitamins into China? ›

Tip: You can bring medication into China as long as it's a “reasonable amount for personal use”. No matter where you travel, you should carry all medications (even vitamins) in their original packaging, along with their original prescription.

Can I bring my laptop to China? ›

Some high risk countries, including China, prohibit the import of encrypted devices, and taking a standard WCM laptop into the country poses a real risk of your device being compromised. If possible, you should not access websites containing sensitive information (e.g., financial, health, etc.)

What are the rules for importing from China? ›

There is no general import permit to bring in products from China. However, certain goods do require a special permit or license prior to importing. Different federal agencies oversee different imported products, and requirements can vary.

Can you wear red in China? ›

Wear Red for Luck

Red is a popular color in China because it is believed to symbolize good fortune.

What medications are not allowed in China? ›

Prohibited in China: sleeping pills, medication for ADHD, and strong painkillers without a prescription. Before holidaying in China, make sure you have a doctors note for every medication you are carrying as any amount above a seven-day supply of medication will need to be verified by a prescription.

Can I bring canned meat to China? ›

However, cooked meat products such as ham, sausage, and canned meat are exempted. Consignees of imported meat and meat products shall apply for the quarantine license of animal and plant entry before signing trade contracts.

What are the restricted import items? ›

Import of Wild Animals (including their parts and products) as defined in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is prohibited. 29. 0106 31 00 Birds of prey Restricted Import of Wild Animals (including their parts and products) as defined in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is prohibited.

What is the purchase restriction policy in China? ›

Several major cities in China have implemented the housing purchase restriction (HPR) policy since 2010, which directly prohibits households, especially those suspected of engaging in speculative purposes, from further home purchases unless they meet specific requirements.

What are weird restrictions in China? ›

Naming children with certain characters

A law that restricts the use of certain characters in naming children, particularly those that are not compatible with the government's standard ID system.

What is not available in China? ›

Which websites are blocked in China?
  • Facebook.
  • Twitter.
  • Instagram.
  • Pinterest.
  • Snapchat.
  • Linkedin (restricted local version)
  • Quora.
  • Tumblr.
Feb 9, 2024

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