I. What is unaccompanied baggage shipment?
Unaccompanied Baggage Shipment refers to personal luggage and articles transported separately via consignment by individuals entering or exiting the country. Checked baggage may be shipped via mail or express delivery, provided it complies with reasonable personal use requirements.
Travelers importing luggage via unaccompanied shipment must declare these items to customs upon arrival. With customs authorization, all clearance procedures must be completed within six months of the traveler's entry date. For outbound travelers shipping their unaccompanied baggage, all customs procedures must be completed prior to their departure from the country.
II. What restrictions apply to unaccompanied baggage items?
Items prohibited by state regulations from import/export cannot be processed as unaccompanied baggage. Restricted items must comply with prescribed quantity limits and require submission of relevant licenses or supporting documents as required by law. The regulations concerning prohibited and restricted import/export items are as follows:
(I) The List of Prohibited Items for Import and Export in the People's Republic of China and the List of Restricted Items for Import and Export in the People's Republic of China (GACC Order No. 43);
(II) Catalogue of Animals, Plants, Their Products and Other Quarantine Objects Prohibited from Being Carried, Mailed, or Delivered into the People's Republic of China (Joint Announcement No. 470 of MOA and GACC);
(III) Announcement on the Interpretation of Relevant Issues Concerning the List of Prohibited Items for Import and Export in the People's Republic of China and the List of Restricted Items for Import and Export in the People's Republic of China (GACC Announcement No. 46 [2013]).
III. What is the tax-free allowance for unaccompanied baggage?
For inbound resident passengers carrying personal luggage with a total value not exceeding RMB 5,000 (inclusive) acquired overseas for reasonable personal use, and inbound non-resident passengers carrying luggage with a total value not exceeding RMB 2,000 (inclusive) intended to remain in China, customs grants duty-free clearance. For inbound resident passengers, the total value of unaccompanied baggage shipped separately shall be combined with the value of luggage already inspected and cleared by customs upon entry.
IV. How to process the formalities for unaccompanied baggage?
Travelers with unaccompanied baggage must truthfully submit a written declaration to Customs at passenger channels (e.g., airports or ports), either by completing a paper Luggage Customs Declaration for Entry/Exit Passengers of the People's Republic of China (hereafter referred to as the "Declaration") or through electronic declaration. They shall use the "Red Channel" for customs clearance, undergo Customs inspection, and complete the required procedures. Customs accepts written declarations from inbound/outbound travelers at designated locations, including declaration counters.
Travelers may pre-fill electronic baggage declaration data via WeChat or Alipay's "Customs Passenger Fingertip Service" mini-program, or through the official website (npc.chinaport.gov.cn). Upon entry/exit, they must verify the submitted data at designated declaration counters, undergo Customs inspection, and complete the required procedures.
When completing the "Declaration", international students shipping personal belongings into the country must select Item 9 "Luggage and Articles Transported as Unaccompanied Baggage" for customs declaration.
After completing the procedures at the passenger channel, safely retain the "Declaration".
Failure to submit a written declaration to Customs as required or providing false declarations will result in corresponding legal consequences.
V. How to complete the unaccompanied baggage clearance procedures?
(I) Upon receiving customs clearance notifications from postal or logistics providers, inbound/outbound travelers may personally process customs procedures for their luggage and articles, or authorize a representative to do so. When authorizing others to handle customs procedures for luggage and articles, inbound/outbound travelers must provide written authorization signed by both the principal and the authorized representative.
(II) For inbound and outbound unaccompanied luggage arriving at the designated port, customs procedures shall be completed in accordance with relevant regulations by presenting the traveler's valid entry/exit documents, the separated transport luggage item list, the "Declaration Form" verified by customs upon entry, and other required supporting documents. Required materials include but are not limited to: original and photocopy of the traveler's ID card, passport copy (including first page), printed materials showing this entry record, itemized list, original "Declaration Form", and other supporting documents. For proxy applications, both parties' ID cards and a written power of attorney are required. The declaration must be submitted to the postal customs within the specified timeframe after receiving notification.
VI. How to remedy the situation if unaccompanied luggage procedures were not completed upon entry?
If an inbound traveler fails to declare luggage transported separately upon entry but can provide entry records within six months, and if customs verifies the items are for reasonable personal use, the traveler may process the relevant procedures as unaccompanied baggage, though without tax exemption benefits.
Customs reminder: Inbound and outbound luggage must comply with reasonable personal use standards. Quantities exceeding these limits will be processed as commercial goods under customs regulations. (By Li Xuchun)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
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