China International Clinics

Bringing your own medication into China: what official English FAQs say about customs

Published

The Shanghai government English FAQ, dated May 16, 2024, says that, according to the National Medical Products Administration, individuals can bring a small amount of medication for personal use when entering or leaving China.

Small quantities for personal use

The Chongqing government English FAQ, dated 2026-06-29, says travelers carrying small quantities of medicines for personal use when entering or leaving China shall limit such medicines to reasonable quantities for personal use and accept Customs supervision.

Narcotic and psychotropic substances

The Chongqing FAQ says opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other addictive narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances are prohibited from entering China. It says all items prohibited from entering China are also prohibited from leaving China, and individuals may not send such items into or out of China by post.

The Chongqing FAQ says that when such medicines are required for medical treatment, an individual may carry narcotic drugs and Category I psychotropic substances up to the maximum quantity permitted on a single prescription, provided that the individual presents a certificate of diagnosis issued by a medical institution and proof of identity.

The Shanghai FAQ says that for the sake of treating illnesses, individuals may, on the basis of medical diagnoses certifications issued by medical institutions and personal identity certificate, carry narcotic drugs and Class 1 psychotropic substances within the maximum amounts permissible for a single prescription.

The Chongqing FAQ says that for Category II psychotropic substances, the prescribed quantity may be appropriately extended to cover a longer period.

The Shanghai FAQ says medical personnel who carry small amounts of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into or out of the country for medical purposes are to hold permits for carrying these substances issued by the people's government drug regulatory departments at and above the provincial level.

Supporting documents and declaration

The Chongqing FAQ says travelers carrying medicines into or out of China are advised to bring supporting documents, such as prescriptions, medical records, or Certificates of Diagnosis, and proactively declare the medicines to Customs officers at the port of entry or exit.

The Chongqing FAQ says clearance remains subject to the customs authority's on-site review.

Questions people ask

Can I bring medicine for personal use into China?

The Shanghai government English FAQ, dated May 16, 2024, says that, according to the National Medical Products Administration, individuals can bring a small amount of medication for personal use when entering or leaving China.

Should I declare medicines at customs?

The Chongqing FAQ says travelers carrying medicines into or out of China are advised to bring supporting documents, such as prescriptions, medical records, or Certificates of Diagnosis, and proactively declare the medicines to Customs officers at the port of entry or exit.

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general information. It is not published by the bodies named above and is not medical advice. If it differs from their own pages, their own pages prevail, and details may change after the check date.

Details come from the hospital’s own English or bilingual page as read on the dates shown in each source note; this is an unofficial summary, not medical advice, and may have changed since. Medical and legal notice.