Carrying cash from France 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 France, France customs authority (EU cash controls) requires a declaration above EUR 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 France | EUR 10,000 | EU Cash Declaration Form | France customs authority (EU cash controls) |
| Entering China | max CNY 20,000 | Customs declaration form | General Administration of Customs of China |
Applies when leaving the EU for a non-EU country.
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
France: Cash may be detained and penalties applied under national law.
CNY 20,000 is a hard limit entering China : carrying more is prohibited, and a declaration does not make it legal. On the other leg the duty is to report, not to stay under a limit.
Currencies
France uses EUR; China uses CNY.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.