Mobile SIM cards (physical and eSIM) → China

Foreign SIM cards work in China on roaming, but local SIM card purchase requires passport registration; internet services are restricted behind the Great Firewall.

Details

Visitors to China may bring foreign SIM cards freely; customs does not restrict SIM card import. However, purchasing a local Chinese SIM card requires presenting a valid passport for real-name registration under MIIT Regulation No. 25 (2013) and its 2016 amendments requiring mobile real-name registration. VPN usage for accessing blocked services (Google, WhatsApp, etc.) is legally restricted under Decree No. 11 of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Foreign roaming SIMs function but may face throttling on certain services.

Quantity limit

No quantity limit on SIM cards for personal use

Documentation required

• Valid passport (for local SIM purchase)

Legal reference

MIIT Order No. 25 (2013); Mobile Phone Real-Name Registration Regulation (2016); Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC

Leaving with this item

SIM cards may be exported from China freely at personal-use quantities.

Practical advice

Bring your foreign SIM for roaming and consider purchasing a local SIM at the airport with your passport. Install any VPN you need before arriving in China, as VPN app stores are blocked domestically. Roaming plans from your home carrier are the simplest option.

Customs authority

General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) · http://www.customs.gov.cn