Packing Tips#
Last updated on June 14th, 2025
Note
📬 If you have any hacks you would like to share/know, feel free to contact us through chinatrip.info.contact@gmail.com, and we will follow up as soon as we can!
🚫 No Drugs, No Weed — Seriously!#
Drugs including cannabis (yes, even weed or anything with CBD) are strictly banned in China. Here’s a quick heads-up to help you stay safe and avoid any trouble at the border:
Don’t bring anything that contains cannabis or its ingredients including products labelled “CBD.”
Make sure there’s no trace of drugs in your system before flying, especially if you’re coming from places where cannabis is legal. You could be subject to extra screening.
No such thing as “personal use” or “small amounts” here. Chinese customs has ZERO TOLERANCE for any kind of drug.
The same goes for anything with THC, such as edibles, oils, drinks, you name it.
Getting caught at the border comes with serious consequences. Here’s what you could be facing:
Situation |
Legal Classification |
Possible Consequences |
|---|---|---|
Bringing cannabis or related products into China without declaring them |
Drug smuggling (CRIMINAL!) |
Criminal detention / imprisonment + fines |
Testing positive for THC (even if not carrying any) |
Drug use violation |
Administrative detention + fines + deportation + 5–10 year entry ban |
🛃 Customs Essentials#
When you arrive in China, you’ll need to go through customs. You MUST declare if you’re carrying:
>5,000 USD in cash: There’s no overall cap on how much foreign currency you can bring in. But, if you’re carrying over 5,000 USD (or equivalent), you need to declare it.
>20,000 RMB in cash: That’s the legal limit for Chinese currency. Anything over this amount is not allowed.
>1.5 litres of alcohol (≥12% ABV): Technically, the limit is 1.5 litres per person. But in practice, a bit more might be allowed in your checked luggage, depending on your airline.
Drones with cameras: These may be considered sensitive items. If not declared, they could be confiscated or lead to fines. Register drones over 250 g via CAAC online (requires Chinese phone/WeChat).
Powerbank over 100 Wh: You can bring up to two power banks in your carry-on luggage only, and each must be 100 Wh or less.
Other restricted items, such as:
Animals and plants, animal and plant products, microbes, biological products, human tissue, blood and blood products.
Radio transmitters, radio receivers, communication security equipment.
Goods of commercial value, samples and advertisements.
Anything that your airline doesn’t allow in checked baggage anyway 😉
💵 Cash#
Cash is still widely used in China, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. Here’s what you need to know:
In short, we recommend bringing ~2,000 RMB in cash for your trip, which is far more than enough once you set up mobile payment. For people who want to stay in luxury hotels, you might want to bring ~5,000 RMB.
📱 Mobile Payment > 💵 Cash
In China, mobile payment is king. It’s used everywhere from luxury hotels to street foods. We strongly recommend setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay BEFORE you arrive. You’ll find a step-by-step guide in the next section: Mobile Apps.
That said, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash, just in case:
While refusing cash is technically illegal, it still happens. Cash can be your backup.
Setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay can be tricky. You might need help from airport staff, so until your mobile payment is ready, cash is your safety net.
We’ve also made a guide on how to set up mobile payment apps, check it out in Mobile Apps.
🔌 Electronics#
China uses Type A, C, and I power plugs, with a standard voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz. Here’s what you need to know.
Plug Types:
Type A: Two flat parallel pins (top in the image).
Type C: Two round pins (centre in the image, same to Europe).
Type I: Three flat pins in a triangular pattern (bottom in the image).
Voltage: Most modern electronics can handle 220V, but check your device’s label.
Frequency: China uses 50Hz, which may affect some devices like clocks.
❎ Skip These#
You can leave these items at home, as they are unnecessary when travelling in China:
Hair Dryers: All hotels provide them, and they’re usually decent.
Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash: Hotels provide these, and they’re often of good quality.
Towels: Hotels provide them, and they’re usually clean and fluffy.
Toothbrush/Toothpaste: Hotels provide these, and they’re usually good quality.
Slippers: Hotels provide them, and they’re usually comfortable.
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