由 caicai8478 When international students transport personal belongings back to China, customs clearance procedures and tax-free amounts vary depending on the destination country. The following is a general guide, but it is recommended to consult a professional customs clearance agent or the customs department of the relevant country for the latest information before specific operations.
- Customs clearance procedures
Prepare necessary documents
Passport and visa: prove identity and study abroad experience.
Packing list: list the name, quantity, and value of items in detail (in Chinese and English).
School certificate or graduation certificate: prove student identity or return to China after study (required by some countries).
Air ticket or itinerary: prove the time of entry.
Customs declaration form: Some countries need to fill in the customs declaration form upon entry (such as China’s “Baggage Declaration Form for Inbound and Outbound Passengers”).
Transportation method
Carry-on luggage: Usually you can go directly to the airport customs “declaration channel”.
Separate luggage (sea/air): need to be declared to the customs in advance, provide bill of lading (Bill of Lading) and customs clearance documents.
Customs clearance process
Declaration: Actively declare the separate baggage to the customs upon entry, or clear the customs through a logistics company.
Inspection: The customs may open the box for inspection to check whether the items are consistent with the list.
Tax payment (if applicable): The part exceeding the duty-free amount must pay customs duties.
II. Duty-free amount (common countries/regions)
- China
Duty-free policy for international students:
With the “Certificate of Returned Overseas Students” or “Certification of Foreign Academic Degrees”, you can carry a reasonable amount of personal items (such as clothes, books, computers, etc.) duty-free.
Separate baggage: It must be declared upon entry, and the duty-free amount is RMB 5,000 (the excess amount is subject to the travel tax).
Single indivisible items (such as high-priced musical instruments, professional equipment): Must be declared, may be tax-free.
Notes:
It is prohibited to carry prohibited items (such as fresh fruits, meat, endangered species products, etc.).
Electronic products (such as computers, cameras) must be proved to be for personal use and unopened.
- United States
Duty-free amount:
Personal items brought back by international students are usually tax-free, but must meet the condition of “used for more than 1 year” (proof of purchase or depreciation statement is required).
New purchases may be subject to customs duties (tax rates vary by category).
- United Kingdom
Duty-free conditions:
Personal items must be “used” and continue to be used after entry.
Evidence must be provided to prove that the items have been owned in the original place of residence for more than 6 months.
- Canada
Duty-free amount:
International students can bring personal items tax-free, but they must provide a “Goods to Follow” list (items that arrive later).
New items or high-value items may be subject to tax (such as electronic products, jewelry).
- Australia
Duty-free requirements:
Personal items must be owned and used for more than 12 months, otherwise customs duties and GST (consumption tax) must be paid.
Special items such as tobacco and alcohol are strictly restricted.
- Notes
Plan ahead: Separate baggage usually needs to be cleared within 6 months after entry (6 months from the date of entry in China).
Keep proof: Shopping invoices, proof of old items, etc. may be required.
Logistics options:
Choose an international logistics company that provides customs clearance services (such as DHL, FedEx, Seven Seas Worldwide, etc.).
Confirm whether “door-to-door” customs clearance is required or you need to handle it yourself.
Tips to avoid pitfalls:
Avoid carrying sensitive items (such as luxury goods, medicines, and cash exceeding the limit).
False declarations may result in fines or confiscation.
- Recommended steps
Check the official website of the destination customs (such as China Customs “12360”).
Contact the logistics company to obtain customs clearance agency services.
Sort out the list of items and classify them (for personal use/new purchases/valuable items).
If you need more specific national policies or real-time changes, it is recommended to consult the customs or professional customs clearance agencies directly.