Baby Formula 🇨🇳 China
Subject to duty above personal allowance
Can I bring Baby Formula into China?
Subject to duty above personal allowance
Personal use within RMB 5,000 allowance
15% import tax above allowance
- Phytosanitary Certificate (commercial quantities)
- Export Health Certificate (animal-origin, commercial)
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
China allows personal import of infant formula but quantities above the personal goods allowance (RMB 5,000) face customs duty and import tax. Cross-border e-commerce is the dominant channel for imported formula due to domestic food safety concerns following the 2008 melamine scandal.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 5000–50000 CNY
- Civil penalty only
Leaving China with baby formula
Personal-use baby formula may be taken out of China without export formalities. Baby formula for accompanying-infant use is freely exportable and exempt from cabin liquid limits when travelling with the infant. Note some origin countries have at times imposed retail purchase limits during shortage periods (notably formula purchase caps in Australia and Hong Kong retail), aimed at bulk buying rather than personal travel.
Declare baby formula at customs on arrival in China and carry any documentation specified in the rule. Verify current requirements with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) before travel.
Personal use within RMB 5,000 allowance
- Phytosanitary Certificate (commercial quantities)
- Export Health Certificate (animal-origin, commercial)
15% import tax above allowance
PRC Customs Law, Cross-border E-commerce Regulations
This page covers destination customs rules in China. Whether you can carry baby formula through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Baby Formula rules in other countries
Baby Formula
🇦🇺 Australia
Maximum 10kg per person with declaration
Baby Formula
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
No restrictions for personal use
Baby Formula
🇺🇸 United States
No restrictions for personal use
Baby Formula
🇨🇦 Canada
No specific restrictions for personal baby formula
Baby Formula
🇳🇿 New Zealand
No specific restrictions for personal baby formula
Baby Formula
🇹🇭 Thailand
No specific restrictions for personal baby formula