Are e-cigarette liquid (vape juice) legal in China?

E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may be brought into China only within the documented restrictions. E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration This page covers what General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) allows across the border; whether you may then possess or carry it in public is a separate matter of China's domestic law, which can differ by state, province, or city. Check both before travelling.

What are the penalties for undeclared e-cigarette liquid (vape juice) in China?

Fine up to 5000–50000 CNY. Source: General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

ITEM RULE · TRAVELING

RESTRICTED

E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) 🇨🇳 China

RESTRICTEDVERIFIED · 2026-07-25MEDIUM CONFIDENCE

Report a correction

E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration

ANSWER

Can I bring E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) into China?

RESTRICTEDVERIFIED · 2026-07-25MEDIUM CONFIDENCE

E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration

DOCUMENTS

Documentation may be required

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

customs.gov.cn

Verify against the official customs authority before acting on this answer.Report a correction

Full details

E-liquid is subject to the same country-level restrictions as vaping devices. Countries that ban vaping products (Thailand, Singapore, India, Australia for non-prescription nicotine, etc.) also prohibit e-liquids. The EU limits nicotine concentration. Enforcement in China carries fines from CNY 5,000 to CNY 50,000 under Customs Law of the PRC Art. 82; Criminal Law of the PRC Art. 153 (typical personal cases are handled as civil infringements).

PENALTIES

Fine: 5000–50000 CNY
Civil penalty only

Leaving China with e-cigarette liquid (vape juice)

ALLOWEDPersonal e-liquid may be taken out of China freely; many destinations ban or restrict it, and nicotine-liquid rules vary.

Personal-use e-liquid faces no export formality from China. Two constraints apply: aviation liquid rules (cabin containers ≤100 ml; larger bottles in checked baggage), and destination-side law — several countries ban vaping products entirely (Thailand, Singapore, India, Vietnam, and others) while many more regulate nicotine strength or require pharmacy channels (Japan treats nicotine liquid as a pharmaceutical; Australia requires a prescription). Check the arrival rule for the same route before carrying.

QUANTITY CHECK

How many cigarettes do you plan to bring into China?

cigarettes

Duty-free for travelers entering China: 1.5L of alcohol (≥12% ABV), 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, and personal goods (excluding alcohol and tobacco) with total value of RMB 5,000 (~$730 USD). Chinese residents returning from abroad who exceed this limit pay customs duty on the excess. Residents of Hong Kong and Macao have a lower allowance.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Carry in carry-on with 100ml liquid limit per container. Declare commercial quantities; some destinations require destination certification.

OFFICIAL SOURCES · VERIFIED 2026-07-25

customs.gov.cn english.customs.gov.cn

RULE DETAILS

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Documentation may be required

CUSTOMS AUTHORITY

General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)

SHOW AT CUSTOMS

Printable customs card →

AIR TRAVEL IS SEPARATE

This page covers destination customs rules in China. Whether you can carry e-cigarette liquid (vape juice) through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.

IATA DANGEROUS GOODS

E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) is classified under Class 3 — Flammable liquids. Cabin and checked-baggage rules apply on top of any destination regulation.

Related rules

Vape / E-Cigarette

🇨🇳 China

RESTRICTED

Legal but regulated under tobacco monopoly since 2022

traveling