When returning from abroad, do not bring meat products (including vacuum-packed ham or jerky), dairy, fresh fruits, or seeds, and declare animal/plant products via the Red Channel

Quarantine regulations strictly prohibit carrying any meat products (raw or cooked, regardless of vacuum packaging), cheese, butter, fresh eggs, fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds into the country. Carrying prohibited agricultural items leads to confiscation and destruction, and failing to declare them incurs administrative fines up to 5,000 RMB.

Free. Simply avoid purchasing perishable agricultural souvenirs abroad and inspect your luggage before boarding. If carrying questionable items, choose the Red Customs Channel and spend a few minutes declaring them.

Joint regulations issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs establish the official list of prohibited animal, plant, and biological products for inbound passengers. Categories subject to strict entry prohibition encompass: (1) all raw or cooked meats, including internal organs, sausages, bacon, and vacuum-sealed cured ham; (2) dairy and egg products, including butter, cheese, mayonnaise, and preserved eggs; (3) fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut flowers; (4) viable seeds, nursery stock, and plant propagation materials; and (5) live animals (with strict single-pet dog/cat exceptions accompanied by official quarantine certificates). Bird's nest is prohibited, except commercially sterilized canned bird's nest. Under Article 29 of the Law on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, prohibited items discovered at border checkpoints are returned or incinerated. Travelers carrying animal or plant products must submit a written declaration to customs; under Article 39 and Article 59 of the implementation regulations, failure to declare carries administrative fines of up to 5,000 RMB. When uncertain of an item's status, customs regulations mandate selecting the "Red Channel" (Declaration Channel) to avoid penalties.

Verified against official catalogues as of October 2026. Exemptions: Dried and cooked aquatic seafood (e.g. dried squid or dried shrimp) are permitted but still require customs declaration. Passengers may bring at most one companion dog or cat, provided they possess official veterinary health certificates and rabies vaccination documents from the exporting country. Similar biosecurity bans apply when traveling from abroad into the European Union, United States, Australia, or Japan; always verify destination agricultural restrictions before traveling.

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