Carrying cash from Australia to China
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Part of this route is a hard limit, not paperwork. Leaving Australia, AUSTRAC requires a declaration above AUD 10,000. Entering China, General Administration of Customs of China caps what you may carry at CNY 20,000, a prohibition, not a form. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving Australia | AUD 10,000 | Cross-Border Movement: Physical Currency Form | AUSTRAC |
| Entering China | max CNY 20,000 | Customs declaration form | General Administration of Customs of China |
The same duty applies moving money out. Bearer negotiable instruments payable to any person must also be reported.
The renminbi limit is a hard cap in both directions, carrying more than ¥20,000 in cash is prohibited, not merely declarable. Foreign currency has no quantitative limit, but cash worth more than USD 5,000 must be declared on arrival.
If you do not declare
Australia: Significant fines; undeclared cash may be seized.
There is no limit on how much you may legally carry in either direction, the duty is to report it, not to keep under it. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
Australia uses AUD; China uses CNY.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.