Policies and Regulations
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Citizens of 55 countries and regions holding a valid international travel document, along with a visa for a third country and a confirmed ticket for a connecting flight within 144 hours, are not required to apply for a Chinese visa. They may transit through any of the following airports: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, or Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, and stay in Guangdong Province for up to 144 hours before departing from one of 32 open ports in Guangdong. Eligible foreign travelers, holding a completed Temporary Entry and Exit Card for Foreigners, a valid international travel document, a third-country (region) visa, a confirmed connecting flight ticket within 144 hours, and a printed hotel reservation in advance, should proceed to the “Arrival Immigration Inspection 24/144-Hour Waiting Area” to apply for border inspection with Chinese Immigration Inspection.
For a detailed list of eligible countries and ports, please visit the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government website: http://ka.sz.gov.cn/index.html
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
China's 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy is available at all ports open to foreign nationals. Foreigners holding valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets (for aircraft, ships, or trains) may transit through China without a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 24 hours and they remain within the designated port area. Those wishing to leave the port area must apply for a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authority.
For details, please visit the National Immigration Administration website: https://www.nia.gov.cn
Prohibited, Restricted, and Declarable Items by China Customs
1 Prohibited and Restricted Items
1.1 Weapons, simulated weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
1.2 Counterfeit currency and counterfeit securities.
1.3 Printed materials, films, photographs, records, tapes, laser discs, computer storage media, and other items harmful to China’s politics, economy, culture, or morals.
1.4 Highly toxic poisons.
1.5 Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other addictive narcotics or psychoactive substances.
1.6 Animals, plants, and their products with dangerous bacteria, pests, or other harmful organisms.
1.7 Foods, medicines, or other items that are harmful to human and animal health, come from epidemic areas, or can transmit diseases.
2 Items Requiring Declaration to Customs
2.1 Animals, plants, and their products, microorganisms, biological products, human tissues, and blood products.
2.2 Personal items such as cameras, camcorders, and laptops exceeding RMB 5000 in value, that are required to be brought back into China by residents.
2.3 Cash exceeding RMB 2000 or foreign currency cash equivalent to USD 5000.
2.4 Goods, samples, and advertising materials.
2.5 Other items that need to be declared to customs.
For more details, please visit the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China website: http://www.customs.gov.cn
*Your checked luggage will be sent directly to your destination. If you are carrying items that need to be declared to customs, please fill in the declaration form truthfully and present the items to customs for inspection and processing.
Immigration information inquiry website.
1. The List of the People’s Republic of China of Articles Prohibited from Import and Export and the List of the People’s Republic of China of Articles Restricted from Import and Export (Announcement No. 43 of the General Administration of Customs)
2. Announcement No. 46 [2013] of the General Administration of Customs (Announcement on the Interpretation of Issues concerning the List of the People’s Republic of China of Articles Prohibited from Import and Export and the List of the People’s Republic of China of Articles Restricted from Import and Export)
3. Measures of the People’s Republic of China for the Customs Supervision of Inbound and Outbound Baggage (Announcement No. 276 of the General Administration of Customs)
4. Announcement No. 470 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs
