How Many Cigarettes Can You Bring Into China? (2026)

Short answer: You can bring 400 cigarettes (2 cartons, heated tobacco included) into mainland China duty-free. If you arrive from Hong Kong or Macao, the limit is 200 cigarettes. Anything above that is taxed at a 50% composite rate.

The limits

The allowance is for one type of tobacco, not a mix of all three.

Arriving from	Cigarettes (incl. heated tobacco)	or Cigars	or Cut tobacco
Overseas (mainland entry)	400	20	500 g
Hong Kong or Macao	200	10	250 g
Frequent border-crossers (once per day)	40	2	40 g

• E-cigarettes (mainland entry): 2 devices, plus either 6 cartridges or 6 cartridge-and-device combinations (disposables included). Total e-liquid must not exceed 12 mL.
• E-cigarettes (from Hong Kong or Macao): 1 device, plus 3 cartridges or combinations, with no more than 6 mL of e-liquid.
• Minors: travellers under 18 only get duty-free release for articles needed for the journey.

What to do at the airport

1. Count your cigarettes, including open packs. Duty-free cigarettes bought on the plane or in a departure shop count toward the same limit.
2. If you’re within the limit, you can use the green “nothing to declare” channel.
3. If you’re over the limit, use the red “goods to declare” channel and declare the excess. Check the rules and the paperwork on the General Administration of Customs website.
4. Fill in your arrival card before you land. Check your entry route with the visa-free checker and see the trip checklist.

What happens if you go over

• Amounts above the allowance are taxed. Cigarettes and alcohol carry a 50% composite tax rate, worked out as the dutiable value × 50%.
• Single items that can’t be divided are taxed in full.
• Customs can ask you to pay tax or hold the goods, so declare any excess.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the Hong Kong limit is 400. Crossing by land or ferry from Hong Kong or Macao halves the allowance to 200.
• Adding cigarettes, cigars and loose tobacco together. The limit applies to one category.
• Forgetting vapes and heated tobacco. Heated tobacco counts as cigarettes. Vapes have their own limits.
• Ignoring other limits. Alcohol is 1.5 L of spirits over 12% ABV (0.75 L from Hong Kong or Macao). Personal articles bought overseas are duty-free up to RMB 5,000 for resident travellers and RMB 2,000 for non-residents.

FAQ

Is the limit per person?

Yes. The allowance is per traveller, and each person uses their own. Do not pool cigarettes in one bag and rely on someone else’s allowance without declaring.

Can I bring a carton bought at duty-free in my home country?

Yes, within the 400 limit (200 from Hong Kong or Macao). The limit covers everything you carry, whatever the source.

Can I bring vapes or heated tobacco?

Heated tobacco counts toward the cigarette limit. Mainland entry allows 2 e-cigarette devices and up to 12 mL of e-liquid in total. Travellers from Hong Kong or Macao may bring 1 device and 6 mL.

Next steps for your trip

Official sources: english.cq.gov.cn · english.customs.gov.cn · english.shanghai.gov.cn. Rules change; check before you travel.