China has long been recognized as the global leader in manufacturing and international trade. However, despite its vast export capabilities, not everything can be shipped out of the country freely. Every year, thousands of international shipments are either delayed, fined, or seized by customs due to non-compliance with export laws.
Understanding what you cannot ship from China—especially items that are banned or restricted—is crucial for both businesses and individual travelers. Whether you’re shipping products for resale or for personal use, you must adhere to both China’s export controls and the import rules of the destination country.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through prohibited items, restricted items, export license requirements, and customs regulations to ensure your shipments are lawful and secure in 2025.
Prohibited vs. Restricted Items: Know the Difference
Before shipping any goods from China, it’s essential to understand the legal difference between prohibited and restricted items—a distinction that plays a key role in customs clearance and regulatory compliance.
- Prohibited items are strictly banned from export under any circumstance. These goods are often tied to national security, public health, or the protection of cultural heritage. Trying to export these items can result in shipment seizure, civil penalties, or even criminal charges.
- Restricted items, on the other hand, can be exported only under limited circumstances. These goods may require an export license, special inspections, or compliance with customs duties and regulatory approvals. Each destination country may have different tolerance levels or import rules for restricted items.
According to current regulations issued by Chinese authorities, exporters are also required to declare goods truthfully and follow all export restrictions, even for shipments meant for personal use.
Understanding these categories ensures that your shipment will not violate international trade laws or be held up by border protection agencies on either side of the journey.
List of Prohibited Items You Cannot Ship from China
The following are articles strictly prohibited from export by the Chinese government. These items cannot be shipped under any condition, whether for commercial purposes or personal effects.
Weapons, Ammunition, and Explosives
Exporting ammunition, military weapons, explosives, or any material that poses a threat to national or international security is strictly prohibited. These items often require clearance from multiple international agencies and are flagged immediately by customs.
Cultural Relics and Antiquities
China enforces strong controls on its historical artifacts. Any attempt to export cultural relics, ancient coins, or archaeological objects without government approval is illegal. This includes certain printed matter with historical value.
Counterfeit or Pirated Items
Fakes of luxury brands, loaded recording tapes, or cinematographic films that infringe on copyrights are considered prohibited items under both Chinese and international law.
Endangered and Precious Animals or Their Products
Items such as rhinoceros horn, ivory, tiger bones, and other products made from endangered or precious animals cannot be exported. Even pet-related items such as cat fur or rare animal hides fall into this category.
Human or Biological Materials
This includes human tissue, blood products, and biological products such as stem cells or organs. Shipping these without appropriate medical and legal permits violates both ethical and customs laws.
Currency and Precious Metals
The export of foreign currencies, gold, silver, and other precious metals is heavily regulated. Large sums of currency or precious metals must be declared, and in most cases, are not allowed to be shipped unless specifically approved.
Items Related to State Security or Politics
Certain documents, books, or electronics that involve China’s politics, state secrets, or banned content are not allowed to leave the country.
These prohibited items are not just banned in China but often flagged in foreign countries as well. Attempting to ship them can result in customs seizures, delays, or even international legal action.
Restricted Items That Require Special Handling or Licenses
Unlike prohibited goods, restricted items may be shipped from China under limited circumstances, but only if the shipper complies with proper documentation, export licenses, and destination country requirements.
Below is a list of restricted items commonly flagged by China Customs and foreign border protection authorities:
Lithium Batteries and Electronic Devices
Items such as smartphones, laptop computers, power banks, drones, and electric scooters often contain hazardous materials like lithium, which can be flammable during transport. These items require declaration forms and may only be shipped via certain carriers or routes.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages and alcoholic drinks are subject to both quantity restrictions and import taxes. For personal use, travelers may bring a reasonable number of bottles, but businesses must file official declaration forms and pay customs duties.
Food Items and Biological Products
Some food items, including preserved meats, dairy, and processed snacks, are considered restricted. Depending on the destination country, they may require health inspections or import licenses. Biological products used for research or medicine also fall under this category.
Animals and Animal Products
Exporting animal products, live animals, or even pet dogs and pet cats requires thorough documentation. You may be required to show rabies vaccination certificates, health records, and microchip data. Certain other animals may be completely barred based on international disease control policies.
Plants and Agricultural Items
Plant products such as seeds, fruits, or potted plants are highly regulated due to pest risks. Exporting these without phytosanitary certification is illegal in many countries.
Media and Data Storage Devices
Items like gramophone records, hard drives, and USBs containing sensitive or encrypted information may require customs approval. The People’s Republic of China also restricts media containing state secrets or politically sensitive content.
For each of these restricted goods, proper documentation—often in the form of two declaration forms—must be submitted to both the exporting country (China) and the importing country. Failure to do so can result in fines, civil penalties, or destruction of the goods.
Compliance & Customs Guidelines: What Every Exporter Must Know
Successfully shipping goods from China—especially restricted items—requires strict adherence to both Chinese export controls and the import laws of the destination country. Failing to comply with these rules may lead to significant financial loss, delays, or confiscation of goods.
Understand Export Controls and Commodity Classifications
All export items must be categorized under China’s current regulations using standardized HS codes (Harmonized System Codes). Certain commodities fall under export restrictions and must be declared to customs before shipment.
Goods that require an export license—such as medical equipment, sensitive electronics, or biological materials—must be approved by government authorities before they can leave the exporting country.
File Accurate Declaration Forms
Exporters must prepare and submit two declaration forms:
- One for Chinese customs outlining the type, value, and destination of goods
- One for the importing country that aligns with their entry regulations
Misrepresenting goods or omitting critical details may trigger audits or shipping bans.
Prepare for Customs Duties and Fees
Depending on the type of goods and destination country, you may need to pay duty, taxes, or tariffs. These customs duties vary by country and can significantly affect your final delivery costs.
Some items shipped for personal use may qualify for duty-free allowances, but most commercial shipments will be subject to full taxes and reporting requirements.
Use Licensed Logistics Partners
To avoid mistakes in classification or documentation, many exporters work with licensed freight forwarders, customs brokers, or third-party compliance platforms that specialize in cross-border regulations.
Learn more:
- Dangerous Goods Air Freight from China
- Documents Required to Import from China
- How to Import and Ship Freezers from China
- How to Transport Dangerous Goods by Sea in LCL
- How to Submit a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) for Air Freight
- How to Obtain a UN38.3 Test Report for Lithium Batteries
Summary Table: Categories of Goods You Cannot Ship or Must Regulate from China
To help exporters quickly assess risk and compliance needs, the table below outlines the most common prohibited and restricted categories under current regulations in China as of 2025:
| Category | Export Status | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapons & Ammunition | Prohibited | Firearms, explosives, military-grade tools | Completely banned; flagged by all international customs |
| Cultural Relics | Prohibited | Ancient coins, historic books | Requires government approval; most exports denied |
| Counterfeit Goods | Prohibited | Fake brands, pirated media | Violation of IP laws |
| Precious Metals & Currency | Prohibited | Gold bars, silver, large amounts of cash | Export restricted unless specially licensed |
| Endangered Animals/Products | Prohibited | Ivory, tiger bones, rhinoceros horn | Banned under international wildlife trade laws |
| Biological/Human Materials | Prohibited | Blood products, human tissue, stem cells | Requires special research/medical permits |
| Lithium Batteries | Restricted | Phones, drones, laptops | Classified as hazardous materials; must meet shipping safety codes |
| Alcoholic Beverages | Restricted | Wine, whiskey, beer | Subject to volume limits and customs tax |
| Food Items | Restricted | Snacks, meats, dairy | Requires inspection and may be banned in some destination countries |
| Live Animals & Pet Products | Restricted | Dogs, cats, animal hides | Health certifications and microchips often required |
| Electronic Devices | Restricted | Computers, wireless tools | Must comply with local import and tech specs |
| Printed or Political Matter | Restricted / Prohibited | Books, pamphlets, state-critical material | Censored content often barred or delayed at customs |
Tip: If you’re unsure whether a product is classified as prohibited or restricted, always check with a licensed customs agent or consult the official Chinese export controls list.
Tips for Safe and Legal Exporting from China
Avoiding customs issues, shipment delays, or financial penalties begins with preparation and compliance. Whether you’re a first-time exporter or a seasoned supplier, the following tips will help ensure your shipment from China meets current regulations and border protection standards.
Double-Check Export Eligibility
Before shipping, verify if your item is listed under prohibited items, or falls into a category requiring an export license. You should also check whether the item is subject to limited circumstances—for instance, certain goods may be allowed only in small quantities for personal use.
Use the Correct Declaration Forms
Every export from China must include clear and truthful declaration forms, detailing the contents, value, and destination of the shipment. Inaccurate forms can lead to seizure of goods or fines issued by customs.
Understand Duty and Tax Obligations
Depending on the product category and exporting country, you may be required to pay duty or customs duties. Research the tariffs and exemptions allowed in the receiving country. For example, certain low-value items may be duty-free, but this doesn’t apply universally.
Work with Experienced Logistics Partners
Using a licensed freight forwarder, customs broker, or supply chain compliance service can help navigate complex regulations. These professionals are familiar with hazardous materials classifications, packaging requirements, and labeling standards that general exporters may overlook.
Monitor Regulatory Updates
Export laws in China evolve frequently due to trade agreements, global health concerns, or diplomatic shifts. Always reference the latest edition of the People’s Republic of China’s export controls list or consult an expert for the most up-to-date guidance.
Remember: Customs authorities in both China and the destination country have the right to inspect, delay, or confiscate any shipment. Transparency and due diligence are your best protection.
Conclusion
Understanding what you cannot ship from China is critical for smooth international logistics—especially in 2025, where global trade regulations are stricter than ever. Whether you’re exporting for business or personal use, identifying prohibited and restricted items, filing accurate declaration forms, and staying updated on export restrictions will help you avoid unnecessary customs duties, delays, and legal trouble.
From precious metals to biological products, every category comes with its own set of rules. Make sure you follow the current regulations set by Chinese authorities and confirm that the shipment complies with the laws of the destination country.
When in doubt, always consult professionals or your freight forwarder to ensure compliance at every stage of the export process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I ship lithium batteries from China?
A: Yes, but they are classified as hazardous materials and require special packaging, labeling, and compliance with air cargo safety laws.
Are personal items like laptops and phones restricted?
A: Personal electronics such as laptop computers are allowed, but if you’re shipping them in bulk or for resale, you may need an export license.
Do I have to pay customs duty for small items sent for personal use?
A: In many exporting countries, there is a tax-free threshold. However, customs duties may still apply depending on the item’s value and category.
What documents are required to export restricted items?
A: You will need one or more declaration forms, a valid export license, and in some cases, certificates (e.g., animal health records or origin certificates).
What happens if I try to export a prohibited item by mistake?
A: The shipment will likely be confiscated by customs, and you may face civil penalties, fines, or even blacklisting by logistics providers.