Carrying cash from Malaysia 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 Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Customs Department requires a declaration above USD 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 Malaysia | USD 10,000 | Customs Form No. 7 (K7), Declaration of Cash and Bearer Negotiable Instrument | Royal Malaysian Customs Department |
| Entering China | max CNY 20,000 | Customs declaration form | General Administration of Customs of China |
The same threshold applies on departure. The declaration is required under section 23 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, not under customs duty rules, so it applies whatever the money is for.
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
Malaysia: A fine of up to RM1 million and/or imprisonment of up to one year for failing to declare or making a false declaration.
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
Malaysia uses MYR; China uses CNY.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.