If you’re flying into Shanghai you’ll pass through Chinese customs — and the rules for what you can bring in (and what you absolutely cannot) are stricter than at most Western airports. This 2026 Shanghai customs guide covers exactly what’s allowed, what’s prohibited, currency limits, declaration thresholds, the green vs red channel decision, and the specific items (CBD oil, drones, satellite phones, certain medications) that catch foreign travelers out every week.
Table of Contents
- Green vs Red Channel
- What You Can Bring
- Duty-Free Allowances
- Currency Declaration Rules
- Prohibited Items
- Restricted / Special Cases
- Bringing Medication
- What You Cannot Take Out
- Practical Tips
- FAQ
Green vs Red Channel
On arrival in Shanghai (Pudong PVG or Hongqiao SHA), after immigration you’ll see two customs channels — the Green “Nothing to Declare” channel and the Red “Goods to Declare” channel. Choose Green if:
- You carry no commercial quantities of goods
- Currency under USD 5,000 (or ¥20,000)
- Under 400 cigarettes, 1.5 L spirits
- No prohibited or restricted items
Choose Red if any of the above thresholds are exceeded, or if you’re carrying expensive electronics you intend to leave in China, professional photography equipment, drones, valuable cultural items, or precious metals over 50 g. Both channels run an X-ray scan; if Green channel staff spot undeclared items you’ll face fines, confiscation, and possible criminal proceedings.
What You Can Bring
For personal use, China customs allows:
- Personal clothing, toiletries, and travel articles in reasonable quantities
- One laptop, one tablet, one smartphone (multiple raises questions)
- One DSLR or mirrorless camera with up to two lenses; tripods OK
- Personal jewellery in normal quantities
- Prescription medications for personal use (see medication section)
- Books and reading material that are not politically sensitive
- Sealed cosmetics and toiletries (no liquid limit for checked baggage)
- Souvenirs and gifts under ¥2,000 total value
Duty-Free Allowances
Adult arriving passengers may bring duty-free:
- Tobacco: 400 cigarettes OR 100 cigars OR 500 g loose tobacco
- Alcohol: Up to 1.5 litres of beverages ≥12% ABV (or 4 × 375 ml beers / wines)
- Perfume: Reasonable quantities for personal use
- Gold/silver: Up to 50 g of gold and silver products combined
- Gifts/items: Total value under ¥2,000 (about $280)
Excess amounts: declare via Red channel; duty is calculated by item type (5–30% typical for alcohol, 13–60% for tobacco, 10% for electronics).
Currency Declaration Rules
Currency in any form (cash, traveler’s cheques, gold bullion, jewellery valued near currency thresholds) must be declared if it exceeds:
- RMB cash: ¥20,000
- Foreign cash: USD 5,000 equivalent (or any combination summing to this)
- Combined: If you carry mixed currencies, the equivalent of USD 5,000 is the trigger
Bank cards, credit cards, and mobile balance (Alipay / WeChat Pay) are NOT counted as currency for customs purposes. Mobile-pay top-ups are unlimited.
Prohibited Items
Strictly forbidden — confiscation, fines, potential criminal charges:
- Weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition, explosives
- All controlled drugs and narcotics — including products containing THC, CBD oil, and marijuana even where legal at origin
- Politically sensitive printed/digital materials — religious tracts, content critical of Chinese government, Tibetan/Taiwan/Falun Gong materials
- Pornographic material in any format including phones
- Fresh meat, dairy, eggs, raw plants and soil — even sealed
- Endangered species products — ivory, certain corals, some hardwood, pangolin scales, rhino horn
- Counterfeit currency or securities
- Most prescription opioids without import permit
- Walkie-talkies, satellite phones, GPS receivers over a certain wattage
- Drones over 250 g require pre-registration and may be confiscated
Restricted / Special Cases
These need declaration or special permits:
- Drones: Must be registered with China’s UAV registry before flying. Some are confiscated outright at customs.
- Books in Chinese, especially religious, political, or older imprints: Discretionary review.
- Two-way radios and ham radio equipment: Need permit.
- Professional camera/video gear over personal-use thresholds: May be flagged.
- Pets: One dog or cat per passport with full import documentation, including vaccination records and chip details. Quarantine for 7–30 days.
- Antiques and cultural relics: Items over 50 years old need export approval if you intend to take them home; declare on entry if particularly valuable.
Bringing Medication
Prescription medications for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically up to 90 days’ supply), but the following require extra care:
- Bring originals in pharmacy bottles with English+Chinese labels if possible
- Carry your prescription in English and ideally a Chinese translation
- Schedule II/III equivalents (stimulants for ADHD, certain painkillers, sleeping pills) may need import declaration; check with your country’s Chinese embassy 4 weeks before travel
- Insulin and life-saving medications are universally permitted
- CBD products are banned — including topical creams, oils, edibles, and even “cosmetic” CBD lotions
- Some antibiotics are heavily controlled in China; carry your own supply rather than relying on buying locally
What You Cannot Take Out
Returning home, you’ll clear Chinese exit customs:
- Genuine antiques over 100 years old (period 1911 onward usually fine; pre-1911 needs export seal)
- Ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales
- Endangered timber species in raw form
- Currency beyond ¥20,000 / USD 5,000 without prior import declaration receipt
- Large quantities of cultural artefacts without export approval (typically requires a wax-seal authorisation)
Loose-leaf tea, sealed packaged food, modern silk, modern crafts, contemporary paintings, and most ordinary souvenirs are fine.
Practical Tips
- Carry copies of receipts for expensive electronics — useful if questioned
- Fill the digital health declaration via WeChat mini-program “海关旅客指尖服务” 24 hours before arrival
- Don’t joke with customs officers — questions about drugs or weapons are taken literally
- If unsure, declare — fines for non-declaration are far worse than the duty
- Tourist allowance for purchases: Items bought in China for personal use are fine to take out under the ¥5,000 self-use threshold
- Returning Chinese citizens have different (lower) duty-free limits than foreign tourists
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out a customs declaration to enter Shanghai?
Only if you choose the Red channel or if you carry over the declared thresholds. The digital declaration form is now optional for most Green-channel travelers.
How much currency can I bring into Shanghai?
Up to USD 5,000 (or equivalent in any foreign currency) and ¥20,000 RMB without declaration. Above this requires Red channel declaration.
Can I bring CBD oil into China?
No — CBD products are completely banned in China regardless of THC content or legality at home. This includes topical creams, vapes, and “cosmetic” CBD products.
Are duty-free cigarettes and alcohol allowed?
Yes — 400 cigarettes (or 100 cigars / 500g tobacco) plus 1.5 L of spirits ≥12% ABV duty-free for adult travelers.
Can I bring food into Shanghai?
Sealed dry goods (cookies, chocolate, packaged snacks) are usually fine. Fresh meat, dairy, eggs, raw plants, and any unpackaged food are prohibited.
Do I need to declare my laptop or camera?
Not for one of each, used personally. Multiple identical items or professional gear may need Red channel declaration if you intend to leave them in China.
Can I bring my drone to China?
Drones over 250 g must be registered with China’s UAV registry. Many are confiscated at customs without proper paperwork. Smaller toy drones generally pass through.
What happens if I forget to declare something?
Penalties range from fines (1–5x the item’s value) to confiscation. Repeated or large infractions can lead to criminal charges. Always declare if uncertain.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Combine with our pillar guides on Shanghai visa & entry requirements, Pudong Airport to city centre, and Shanghai practical tips. For more, see the official General Administration of Customs of China.