By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: May I bring frozen seafood and meats from the US into China for my personal consumption?
I am returning to China after vacation with Family in the United States. Since I am not able to find certain food items in China that I enjoy eating, I want to bring back some in a cooler. I want to know what restrictions, if any, are on bringing food items like (frozen) seafood, meats (turkey wings, breakfast sausage), and cheddar cheese. Is it permissible, and please tell me where I can find the proper means to pack them for travel? I will be returning in a few weeks. Thanks!
11 years 32 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
Unfortunately, the answer to your question is no. The law in China prohibits the import (even for personal consumption) of most types of food products like meat, cheese or seafood.
You might, might, be able to get away with a very small amount. But I would not chance it. At the best case it would just be confiscated. At the worst, there would probably be a fine involved, depending on how much and the mood of the officer.
I always bring a couple burgers over from Hong Kong everytime I make my Visa run. Nobody has stopped me and if they did, I'd just say it was for my snack on the boat ride.
As far as bringing uncooked food, I'd strongly recommend against trying it.. Bacteria like Salmanila can make people very sick and can spread anywhere very easily, just by contact. Uncooked meat is like carting dead animals around, it's unsanitary, so of course it's banned.
Even if you froze the meat, the water that drips from it while in transit can contaminate other people's bags or belongings with bacteria.
In addition to that, I think live plants are also banned as they can contain bugs or beetles that are not native to China that may devastate the plant life here.. At least, I know that's true for the USA (can't bring live plants). Plants can carry and transmit diseases just like animals can. (ie: Dutch elm disease here in the USA).
Hi, I don't think it is good idea to bring frozen meat or seafood from overseas. To keep them well, you have to put them in proper cold keeper, but it is for sure, it cannot go though china customs as it is not allow. If you want to do it in legal way, you have to find some company with import certification on frozen foods, meanwhile, the foods you want to taken are within their business allowance. It takes lots of time and money.
You did not mention which city you locate in china, but if you stay in big cities like Beijing, shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc, there are particular shop selling oversea foods. As it is for daily consumption, it is better to find long term supply source.
Good luck!