Forbidden

• Illicit narcotic and psychotropic substances are forbidden in China and may not be brought across its borders. This includes so-called “hard drugs,” such as heroin and opium, and so-called “party drugs,” such as cocaine, crystal methamphetamine (speed), MDMA (ecstasy), and even cannabis (marijuana or hashish). In China all such narcotics are categorized in similar terms and carry a heavy sentence for cultivation, manufacturing, possession, and use and may carry the death penalty for dealing and trafficking. Non-American foreigners have been executed for drug offenses in China. We do not want any Friends World Students bringing across a personal supply of recreational drugs into China to be accused of drug trafficking. For more information please see the Criminal Penalties section of the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet on China.

• Firearms or explosives

• Pornographic material of any kind. Customs officials are more concerned with the smuggling of legal and illegal pornography into the country than even sensitive religious or political material.

• Religious or political material intended for missionary or political propaganda. While the Chinese government is not concerned with a person’s personal convictions, public proselytizing is illegal. Therefore, you may bring most political material intended for research or a personal copy of the Holy Bible, into the country, but customs officers may confiscate large quantities of unauthorized Christian literature, pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or political propaganda (especially in Chinese) regarding Taiwan independence, Tibetan independence, Eastern Turkistan independence, or religious circulars published by Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, which are sometimes passed out to passengers in queue for outbound flights to China at international airports in the U.S. Foreigners accused of distributing such material may be detained or expelled from the country or sentenced up to five years in prison. Furthermore, proselytizing in China is not permitted outside church grounds. The Friends World Program provides an opportunity for learning about Chinese culture and is not a venue for missionary activity of any kind. For more information, please see the relevant Topics items on the Chinese Embassy to the U.S. website.

• Cash in excess of USD 5,000 or its equivalent in other currency should be declared.

• Cold cuts or fresh fruit

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