Chinese for Travel
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Unit 1 · Airport Lesson 9 6 min Premium in the app

Customs declaration in Chinese

Understand customs questions, declare items if needed, and ask whether something is allowed. The customs channel at Guangzhou Baiyun. Your bag holds medicine and a few gifts, and an officer waves you over.

海关

Key phrases

The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.

  • 我不确定是否需要申报。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng shìfǒu xūyào shēnbào.

    I’m not sure if I need to declare anything.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 不bù
    • 确定quèdìng
    • 是否shìfǒu
    • 需要xūyào
    • 申报shēnbào

  • 这些东西需要申报吗？

    Zhèxiē dōngxi xūyào shēnbào ma?

    Do these items need to be declared?

    • 这些Zhèxiē
    • 东西dōngxi
    • 需要xūyào
    • 申报shēnbào
    • 吗ma

  • 我带了一些自用药品。

    Wǒ dài le yìxiē zìyòng yàopǐn.

    I brought some medicine for personal use.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 带dài
    • 了le
    • 一些yìxiē
    • 自用zìyòng
    • 药品yàopǐn

  • 这是我的处方。

    Zhè shì wǒ de chǔfāng.

    This is my prescription.

    • 这Zhè
    • 是shì
    • 我wǒ
    • 的de
    • 处方chǔfāng

  • 这些是我自己用的。

    Zhèxiē shì wǒ zìjǐ yòng de.

    These are for my personal use.

    • 这些Zhèxiē
    • 是shì
    • 我wǒ
    • 自己zìjǐ
    • 用yòng
    • 的de

  • 好的，我现在打开。

    Hǎo de, wǒ xiànzài dǎkāi.

    Okay, I’ll open it now.

    • 好Hǎo
    • 的de
    • 我wǒ
    • 现在xiànzài
    • 打开dǎkāi

More phrases for this situation

Every other phrase from the lesson: 14 in all.

  • 您好，请问您有什么需要申报的吗？

    Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín yǒu shénme xūyào shēnbào de ma?

    Hello, do you have anything to declare?

  • 可以帮我看一下吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?

    Could you please check it for me?

  • 您携带了食品、药品或大量现金吗？

    Nín xiédài le shípǐn, yàopǐn huò dàliàng xiànjīn ma?

    Are you carrying food, medicine, or a large amount of cash?

  • 这些是给朋友的礼物。

    Zhèxiē shì gěi péngyou de lǐwù.

    These are gifts for my friends.

  • 这个可以带入境吗？

    Zhège kěyǐ dài rùjìng ma?

    Can I bring this into the country?

  • 如果不可以，我可以怎么处理？

    Rúguǒ bù kěyǐ, wǒ kěyǐ zěnme chǔlǐ?

    If it is not allowed, what should I do with it?

  • 请打开您的行李箱。

    Qǐng dǎkāi nín de xínglixiāng.

    Please open your suitcase.

  • 我可以先问一下原因吗？

    Wǒ kěyǐ xiān wèn yíxià yuányīn ma?

    May I ask the reason first?

  • 我听不懂中文，请写下来。

    Wǒ tīng bù dǒng Zhōngwén, qǐng xiě xiàlái.

    I don’t understand Chinese. Please write it down.

  • 可以请您说慢一点吗？

    Kěyǐ qǐng nín shuō màn yìdiǎn ma?

    Could you please speak more slowly?

  • 请按照规定处理。

    Qǐng ànzhào guīdìng chǔlǐ.

    Please handle it according to the regulations.

  • 好的，我会配合。

    Hǎo de, wǒ huì pèihé.

    Okay, I will cooperate.

  • 请问我可以通过了吗？

    Qǐngwèn wǒ kěyǐ tōngguò le ma?

    May I go through now?

  • 谢谢您的帮助。

    Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.

    Thank you for your help.

What you’ll hear, and how to answer

Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.

  1. Staff

    这是什么药？有处方吗？

    Zhè shì shénme yào? Yǒu chǔfāng ma?

    What medicine is this? Do you have a prescription?

    You

    这是我的处方。

    Zhè shì wǒ de chǔfāng.

    This is my prescription.

  2. Staff

    没问题，可以走了。

    Méi wèntí, kěyǐ zǒu le.

    No problem, you can go.

    You

    谢谢您的帮助。

    Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.

    Thank you for your help.

Play the scene

The customs channel at Guangzhou Baiyun. Your bag holds medicine and a few gifts, and an officer waves you over.

广州白云机场 · Guangzhou Baiyun Airport

  1. Traveler

    您好，请问您有什么需要申报的吗？

    Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín yǒu shénme xūyào shēnbào de ma?

    Hello, do you have anything to declare?

  2. You

    我不确定是否需要申报。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng shìfǒu xūyào shēnbào.

    I’m not sure if I need to declare anything.

  3. Staff

    这个包里是什么？

    Zhège bāo lǐ shì shénme?

    What's in this bag?

  4. You

    我带了一些自用药品。

    Wǒ dài le yìxiē zìyòng yàopǐn.

    I brought some medicine for personal use.

  5. Staff

    这是什么药？有处方吗？

    Zhè shì shénme yào? Yǒu chǔfāng ma?

    What medicine is this? Do you have a prescription?

  6. You

    这是我的处方。

    Zhè shì wǒ de chǔfāng.

    This is my prescription.

  7. Staff

    这些是送人的吗？

    Zhèxiē shì sòng rén de ma?

    Are these presents for someone?

  8. You

    这些是给朋友的礼物。

    Zhèxiē shì gěi péngyou de lǐwù.

    These are gifts for my friends.

Culture tip

Do not guess or hide information

If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, say so and ask customs staff. This lesson is for communication only and does not replace official rules.

What should you say if you are not sure whether to declare something?

Show the answer

我不确定是否需要申报。 — I’m not sure if I need to declare anything.

Go deeper

Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.

Key Terms

Customs The area where officers may check luggage and items brought into a country.

请问海关在哪里？ Qǐngwèn hǎiguān zài nǎlǐ? Excuse me, where is customs?

Declare To tell customs officers about items you are bringing in when required.

这些东西需要申报吗？ Zhèxiē dōngxi xūyào shēnbào ma? Do these items need to be declared?

[object Object] Items you brought for yourself, not for sale or commercial use.

这些是我自己用的。 Zhèxiē shì wǒ zìjǐ yòng de. These are for my personal use.

Prescription A document from a doctor that explains a medicine you need.

这是我的处方。 Zhè shì wǒ de chǔfāng. This is my prescription.

[object Object] Items that are not allowed to enter the country. Rules can change, so always follow official instructions.

这个可以带入境吗？ Zhège kěyǐ dài rùjìng ma? Can I bring this into the country?

Common Items at Customs

Medicine If you carry medicine, keep it in original packaging when possible and prepare prescription or medical documents if relevant.

我带了一些自用药品。 Wǒ dài le yìxiē zìyòng yàopǐn. I brought some medicine for personal use.

Food Food rules vary by item. If you are unsure, ask customs staff instead of guessing.

这些食品可以带入境吗？ Zhèxiē shípǐn kěyǐ dài rùjìng ma? Can I bring these food items into the country?

Cash If you carry a large amount of cash, officers may ask questions. Follow official declaration requirements.

我需要申报现金吗？ Wǒ xūyào shēnbào xiànjīn ma? Do I need to declare cash?

Gifts Gifts may still be subject to customs rules. If asked, explain who they are for and their approximate value.

这些是给朋友的礼物。 Zhèxiē shì gěi péngyou de lǐwù. These are gifts for my friends.

Safe Phrases to Use

When you are unsure

Use: 我不确定是否需要申报。可以帮我看一下吗？ This shows that you are trying to follow the rules.

When an item may not be allowed

Use: 如果不可以，我可以怎么处理？ This is better than arguing or guessing.

When asked to open your suitcase

Use: 好的，我现在打开。 If you need clarification, you can politely ask: 我可以先问一下原因吗？

When you do not understand

Use: 我听不懂中文，请写下来。 or 可以请您说慢一点吗？

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I say I have nothing to declare if I am not sure?

No. If you are unsure, say you are unsure and ask the officer to check. Use: 我不确定是否需要申报。可以帮我看一下吗？

Can I bring medicine into China?

Rules depend on the medicine and quantity. Keep original packaging and prescription if relevant. Ask customs staff if unsure.

What should I do if an item is not allowed?

Ask the officer how to handle it. Use: 如果不可以，我可以怎么处理？ Follow official instructions.

Should I argue if I disagree with customs staff?

Stay calm and polite. You can ask for clarification or a written explanation, but follow official instructions at the checkpoint.

Interactive Scenarios

You are not sure whether to declare something

  • Traveler我不确定是否需要申报。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng shìfǒu xūyào shēnbào.

    I’m not sure if I need to declare anything.

  • Traveler可以帮我看一下吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?

    Could you please check it for me?

You carry medicine for personal use

  • Traveler我带了一些自用药品。

    Wǒ dài le yìxiē zìyòng yàopǐn.

    I brought some medicine for personal use.

  • Traveler这是我的处方。

    Zhè shì wǒ de chǔfāng.

    This is my prescription.

An item may not be allowed

  • Traveler这个可以带入境吗？

    Zhège kěyǐ dài rùjìng ma?

    Can I bring this into the country?

  • Traveler如果不可以，我可以怎么处理？

    Rúguǒ bù kěyǐ, wǒ kěyǐ zěnme chǔlǐ?

    If it is not allowed, what should I do with it?

Important Safety Note

Do not guess or hide information

If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, say so and ask customs staff. This lesson is for communication only and does not replace official rules.

Follow official instructions

Customs rules can change. When in doubt, follow the instructions given by customs officers at the airport.

Mini Quiz

What should you say if you are not sure whether to declare something?
  • 我不确定是否需要申报。 ✓ Answer
  • 我不想打开行李箱。
  • 我没有护照。
Which phrase means “Can I bring this into the country?”
  • 这个可以带入境吗？ ✓ Answer
  • 请问行李提取处在哪里？
  • 我会停留七天。
Which phrase is safest if an item is not allowed?
  • 如果不可以，我可以怎么处理？ ✓ Answer
  • 我不需要申报。
  • 我可以自己过去吗？
Which phrase means “I brought some medicine for personal use”?
  • 我带了一些自用药品。 ✓ Answer
  • 这些是给朋友的礼物。
  • 这是我的酒店地址。

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