How Much Cash Can You Bring Into China? Declare Limits 2026

Short answer: Foreign cash up to the equivalent of US$5,000 needs no declaration, and anything above that must be declared to Customs. For RMB, the figure is 20,000 yuan per person. Above either amount, use the red channel (“Goods to Declare”) when you land.

The limits

Type of money	No declaration needed	Must declare to Customs
Foreign currency cash (USD, EUR, HKD etc.)	Up to US$5,000 equivalent	Over US$5,000 equivalent
RMB cash	Up to 20,000 yuan	Over 20,000 yuan
Traveller’s cheques, letters of credit	No set cap	See Customs if unsure

• Hong Kong dollars count as foreign currency here, so the US$5,000 equivalent applies.
• There is no fixed cap on foreign currency. The duty is to declare once you pass US$5,000.
• Frequent crossers: foreign cash rules are stricter if you enter more than once in a short time. Under the foreign exchange regulator’s procedures, crossing more than once in a day, or more than once within 15 days, means you declare regardless of the amount.
• RMB over 20,000 yuan is not banned. It must be declared. Carry 20,000 yuan or less if you want to avoid the form.

What to do step by step

1. Add up all cash in your bags and pockets, across every currency, and convert it to US dollars.
2. Fill in the arrival card before you land. See the arrival card guide. That card is for immigration. The cash declaration is a separate Customs form, the paper declaration form, which you get on the plane or in the hall. See the China Customs site for the rules.
3. Not sure if you are over? Count again, then pick the red channel and ask the officer. Going red with nothing to declare costs you a few minutes. Going green with too much cash can cost you the cash.
4. Get the paper declaration form in the hall before the checkpoint if you did not get one on the plane. Statements made elsewhere or at other times are not treated as a valid declaration.
5. At the customs hall, take the red channel if you are over either limit. Hand over the form and show the cash.
6. If you plan to take the cash back out, ask Customs to endorse your declaration form and keep your copy. Customs returns one copy for your departure.
7. Keep the endorsed form until you leave.
8. Under both limits? You don’t need the form. Walk through the green channel. Customs can still inspect your luggage.

Most visitors need far less. Cards and phone payments cover almost everything, so see Alipay with a foreign card and the trip checklist. For the full green and red channel rules, including cigarettes and alcohol, read the customs declaration guide.

If you get it wrong

• Cash is a restricted item. Undeclared cash found at the green channel can be seized, returned to origin and fined.
• A Shanghai Hongqiao case on 17 September 2026 involved a passenger in the green channel with HK$5.44 million (about RMB 4.65 million) undeclared. It was found after an X-ray flagged his luggage.
• If you carry more than you declared on entry, Customs may ask for a certificate from the Foreign Exchange Bureau or an authorised bank for the difference when you leave.
• Leaving China, you can carry up to US$5,000 in foreign cash. Above that you need a bank-issued permit for taking foreign currency out of the customs territory.

Common mistakes

• Counting one currency only. Different currencies are added together.
• Splitting cash between travel companions to stay under the limit. The limits are per person, but splitting to avoid declaring can cause trouble.
• Taking the green channel “just in case”. If you’re over the limit, go red.
• Forgetting the exit rules. Declare on entry if you will carry the cash out again.
• Forgetting cash in other pockets or bags. Wallet, coat, backpack and checked bag all count.
• Declaring somewhere else. A message or a word to someone outside the customs hall is not a declaration. Use the form and the red channel.

FAQ

Is there a maximum amount of foreign cash I can bring into China?

There is no fixed cap on foreign currency. You must declare anything above US$5,000 equivalent.

Can I bring more than 20,000 yuan in RMB?

Only by declaring it. Customs requires RMB cash above 20,000 yuan to be declared through the red channel. Carrying 20,000 yuan or less per person is safest.

Do I need to declare cash if I have US$4,000 and 10,000 yuan?

No. Both are under the limits. If your total foreign cash passes US$5,000 equivalent, or your RMB passes 20,000, declare it.

Do I need to declare cash if I have US$3,000 and €3,000?

Yes, probably. Different currencies are added together, so convert everything to US dollars first. If the total passes US$5,000 equivalent, declare it.

Is the limit per person or per family?

Per person. Don’t split cash between family members to avoid declaring. That can cause trouble.

Can I take my leftover cash out of China?

Up to US$5,000 in foreign cash, yes. Above that you need a bank-issued permit. If you declared the cash on entry, keep the endorsed form, because it is what lets you leave with it.

Do I even need cash in China?

Not much. Cards and phone payments cover almost everything. Set up Alipay with a foreign card and get online with a travel eSIM before you land.

Next steps for your trip

Official sources: www.nia.gov.cn · english.shanghai.gov.cn · www.safe.gov.cn · enghunan.gov.cn. Rules change; check before you travel.