China

This guide applies to private pleasure yachts on international voyages entering or leaving mainland Chinese ports. Yachts must complete formalities under national vessel port-entry and exit regulations. Maritime, customs and immigration border inspection authorities conduct their respective checks.

Enter and leave through ports open to foreign traffic or locations specially authorised by the competent authority. Inward border inspection takes place at the first arrival port, and outward inspection at the final departure port. Confirm in advance whether the intended port can accept your yacht.

Under the national port inspection measures, the vessel or agent should submit a port-entry application 7 days before expected arrival; for voyages shorter than 7 days, submit on leaving the previous port. The person responsible for the vessel or agent must also report arrival/departure times and stay locations to border inspection in advance as required, accurately declaring crew, passengers, cargo and goods. In addition, report arrival time, anchorage, berthing/shifting plans and crew/passenger details to inspection authorities 24 hours before expected arrival; for voyages shorter than 24 hours, report on leaving the previous port. Confirm submission methods with the intended port.

Vessels and persons aboard undergo border inspection when entering or leaving Chinese ports. Foreign crew and other foreign nationals need valid passports and applicable visas, visa-free eligibility or other entry permission. Visa exemptions and permitted stays depend on nationality, itinerary, entry port and policy in force; check each person individually. The person responsible for the vessel or agent must report arrival/departure times and stay locations to border inspection in advance and accurately declare crew and passenger details. No one may embark or disembark during prescribed inspection periods without permission. Crew shore leave, accommodation or travel outside the port city may require permits/documents. General entry eligibility does not automatically authorise shore leave.

International vessels must use ports with customs facilities or legally authorised locations, make conveyance declarations and undergo customs supervision. Persons aboard must accurately declare carried goods; restricted/prohibited goods are handled under applicable permit and quarantine rules. Port inspection authorities also require vessel registration/nationality certificates, crew and passenger details, voyage plans and previous-port documents. Customs supervision of non-commercial conveyances follows the relevant conveyance supervision measures by reference. National public information did not establish a uniform temporary-import period, guarantee amount or nationwide document list for all private yachts. Approved self-operated visiting yachts entering Hainan have separate local supervision and guarantee-exemption policies, which cannot be assumed to apply elsewhere. Before departure, confirm applicable procedures and re-export deadlines with destination customs, maritime authorities and border inspection.

International vessels must undergo customs quarantine at a designated location in their first arrival port open to foreign traffic. Normally declare 24 hours before expected arrival, or on leaving the previous port if the voyage is shorter. Customs determines radio, anchorage, berth-side or onboard quarantine from the declaration. Immediately report quarantinable infectious disease, suspected cases or non-accidental deaths occurring underway. Accurately declare animals, plants, their products and other quarantine goods, and submit them for quarantine as required; some goods are prohibited or need prior permission. Hainan has separate yacht entry/exit quarantine measures that do not automatically apply to other Chinese ports. Confirm health certificates, forms, food, pets and quarantine-goods handling with destination customs in advance.

Firearms, ammunition, explosives and certain weapons are prohibited or strictly restricted on entry and must not be carried without statutory permission. Narcotic and psychotropic medicines, endangered wildlife and their products, and quarantine-controlled animals, plants and products may also be prohibited or require prior permission and declaration. A 2025 China Customs notice requires accurate declaration and inspection of prohibited goods, restricted goods requiring licences, animals, plants and other quarantine goods. Specific rules for ship's stores, food, pets, medicines, drones and radio equipment may fall under customs, quarantine, public security or radio regulations. Check with customs and relevant authorities before departure; do not treat ordinary passenger baggage lists as vessel exemptions.

International vessels must complete entry/exit formalities at ports open to foreign traffic. Inward inspection is normally at the first arrival port and outward inspection at the final departure port; special cases use locations designated by the competent authority. Before entry, make the respective declarations to port supervision/maritime authorities, customs and border inspection, submit vessel, personnel and goods information, and proceed as directed to the designated anchorage, quarantine point or berth. Before completing relevant inspections, no embarkation/disembarkation or goods loading/unloading is permitted without authorisation. Yachts on international routes must also follow national vessel entry/exit rules, while yacht berths, bookings, agents and local declaration details depend on port and local rules. Hainan and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao yacht travel, for example, have their own special provisions. Before arrival, confirm port status, accepted vessel types, reporting deadlines and inspection sequence.

China has no uniform private-yacht clearance tariff covering all ports, vessel types and berthing arrangements. Port dues, pilotage/tugs, berthing or mooring, quarantine treatment and agency charges depend on the port, vessel and services actually used. Some yacht facilities may also have local management charges. Before departure, obtain current written tariffs and quotes separately from the port operator, maritime/port authorities and agent, identify mandatory charges and optional services, and retain payment receipts. Complete departure formalities as required by the arrival port's inspection agencies. If departure times, persons aboard or goods change, promptly confirm whether fresh declarations are required.