Guide
What you can and cannot ship from China
Three groups of goods cause most seizures: goods with lithium batteries, liquids and powders, and goods that copy a brand. Some of these ship with the right papers and the right route. Others cannot leave China by air at all.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
Goods that do not ship by air
- Explosives. Fireworks, flares and gunpowder.
- Gases. Aerosols, compressed air and lighters.
- Flammable liquids. Perfume, nail polish, paint and some glues.
- Corrosives. Acids and mercury.
- Weapons. Guns, ammunition and realistic toy guns.
- Drugs and powders that nobody can identify.
- Cash and lottery tickets.
- Copies of branded goods. China’s customs seizes goods that carry a brand without the owner’s permission.
Batteries
| Goods | Can it fly? | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Battery inside a device, such as a speaker or a watch | Yes, on routes that accept it | A lithium battery mark (UN3481), a safety data sheet and a rigid carton |
| Loose lithium batteries | Cargo aircraft only | Dangerous goods handling. We do not accept them. |
| Power banks | Classed as loose batteries | Refused on most air routes |
| Button cells fitted in a device | Yes | Normal packing |
Liquids, creams and powders
Airlines and customs want to know what a liquid or a powder is. Send a safety data sheet (MSDS) with the goods. Seal each bottle in a leak-proof bag.
Creams, gels, lip gloss and mascara count as liquids.
What our special lines accept
Our special lines carry sensitive goods through Hong Kong, with 3 flights a week.
| Accepted | Not accepted |
|---|---|
| Products with built-in batteries | Loose batteries |
| Liquids up to 500 ml | Flammable liquids |
| Non-white powders | White powders |
| Food and supplements | Tobacco products |
| Cosmetics | Weapons |
| PPE and medical supplies | Narcotics |
Rules in the destination country
Goods must also be legal where they land.
- United States. The $800 duty-free rule ended in 2025. Each parcel needs a clear description and the right tariff code. Customs rejects words such as “gift” or “accessory”.
- European Union. The ICS2 system needs a 6-digit HS code and the details of the seller and the buyer before the goods load in China. Business importers need an EORI number.
- United Kingdom. Border Force seizes knives of the kind the law bans, such as zombie-style knives and machetes. Take care with any blade.
- Australia and New Zealand. Raw wood, seeds, dried flowers and untreated leather face biosecurity checks, and officers can destroy them.
Read the rules for your country in our shipping guides by country.
Check before you buy
Send us the product link or the product list. Tell us what each item contains: battery, liquid, powder, magnet or blade. We tell you which route accepts it and which papers it needs.
Questions
Can I ship power banks from China?
Airlines class a power bank as a loose battery, and most air routes refuse them. Ask us before you buy.
Can I ship real branded goods?
Only with written permission from the brand owner. Without it, customs in China can treat the goods as copies and seize them.
My supplier says they can ship anything. Is that safe?
No. A supplier who mislabels goods to get them out of China puts your later shipments at risk. Customs can flag your address after one false declaration.
Do wooden goods need treatment?
For Australia and New Zealand, yes: raw wood, seeds and plant material face biosecurity checks. Processed wood such as plywood and MDF passes in most countries.