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How much cash can I bring to China, and where should I exchange it?

Q: How much cash can I bring to China, and where should I exchange it?

You can bring up to ¥20,000 in cash AND up to the equivalent of US$5,000 in foreign currency without declaring anything — those are two separate limits, not a combined one. Don't buy much RMB before you go; rates abroad and at airport kiosks are poor. Bring a small starter amount, then exchange the rest after you land at a major bank — Bank of China is the easiest for foreigners — or just withdraw from an ATM. A typical tourist is nowhere near the customs limits.

마지막 업데이트 2026년 6월 10일

How much you can bring through customs

No declaration needed up to two separate thresholds: ¥20,000 in Chinese cash, AND the equivalent of US$5,000 in foreign currency. They're independent, not added together.
Bringing more is legal but must be declared in writing at customs — it's just paperwork (and proof of source), not a penalty. Failing to declare a large sum risks confiscation or fines.
Taking foreign currency back OUT above US$5,000 needs a bank permit (US$5,000–10,000) or a SAFE permit (over US$10,000), so keep things simple.

These limits are per person per trip and don't reset for frequent same-day crossings — you can't split a large sum across trips. A normal tourist carrying ¥2,000–5,000 is far below them.

Where to exchange — best to worst

Best: a major Chinese bank branch — Bank of China (most foreigner-friendly), ICBC, CCB, or AgBank. No commission, the best rate; the cost is time and a possible language barrier.
Fine: ATMs (see the ATM guide) — convenient and decent rates, but they layer on fees.
Worst: airport and hotel exchange counters — rates can be 10–20% worse, plus a handling fee (often ¥60–80 at airports).
Bring your passport to every over-the-counter exchange (no passport, no service), and keep the receipts — you may need them to convert leftover RMB back when you leave.

A simple plan

Because buying RMB abroad usually gives a poor rate, the easy approach is: change only a small starter amount (around US$50–100, or ¥500–1,000) for your airport-to-hotel transport, then rely on Alipay/WeChat plus an ATM once you're in the city. China manages its exchange rate, so the underlying rate barely varies by location — the real difference between options is the fees, not the headline rate.

Tipping isn't customary in mainland China (a minor exception: bellhops at high-end international hotels), so you won't burn cash on tips.

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