Duty-free allowances for adults entering China: 400 cigarettes (or 100 cigars) and 1.5 litres of alcohol; anything beyond must be declared and taxed.
Cash: more than US$5,000 (or equivalent) in cash must be declared; above US$20,000 generally requires a foreign-exchange carrying certificate from a bank.
Medicine: reasonable quantities of personal medication are fine, but controlled substances (some painkillers) need a doctor's prescription and declaration; traditional Chinese herbs have restrictions - tiger bone and rhino horn are absolutely banned.
Food: meat, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, and seeds are all prohibited (to prevent pests and disease); processed foods like vacuum-packed biscuits and chocolate are generally fine.
Banned items: weapons, drugs, counterfeit currency, obscene materials, ivory and products of endangered species, and drones (restricted in some areas). Violations risk confiscation, fines or criminal liability.
