Customs & Cash — China
What travelers need to know about customs & cash in China. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Customs & Cash in China: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
You may carry a maximum of RMB 20,000 in Chinese currency in or out of China, and you must use the red channel to declare foreign cash worth US$5,000 or more.
Chinese cash above RMB 20,000 is not permitted out; failing to declare foreign cash of US$5,000 or more can bring fines or confiscation.
§ General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)Verified Jul 20, 2026
China can impose exit bans that block you from leaving — over business or family disputes, court orders, or investigations — and relatives, including minor children, can be barred too; travelers often find out only at the airport.
Can strand you in China for months or years
§ U.S. Department of State — ChinaVerified Jul 3, 2026