China

China punishes drug possession, use, and trafficking severely — up to the death penalty — including marijuana and any vape or edible containing illegal-drug oils even if legal elsewhere, and random drug tests can charge you for use before you even arrived.

Severe sentences up to the death penalty

Cannabis is completely illegal in mainland China and enforcement is zero tolerance - bringing any amount into the country counts as smuggling and is a criminal offence no matter how small the quantity, and airports scan all baggage, including that of transiting passengers, specifically for cannabis. Using it or holding a personal amount is punished as an administrative offence of 10 to 15 days police detention and a fine of up to 3,000 yuan, a foreigner can additionally be ordered to leave the country or be deported, and compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation of up to three years is possible. Both the UK and US governments warn that police can drug-test foreigners at random, including on arrival and in bar raids using hair and urine samples, and that a positive test can be acted on even if you consumed the cannabis legally in another country before flying.

Using cannabis or possessing a small quantity: 10 to 15 days administrative detention and a fine of up to 3,000 yuan, or up to 5 days detention or a fine of up to 1,000 yuan in lighter cases (Public Security Administration Punishments Law art. 84, in force 1 January 2026); a foreigner may additionally be ordered to leave the country or be deported (art. 10). Compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation runs two years and may be extended by up to one further year (Narcotics Control Law arts. 38 and 47). Smuggling, trafficking, transporting or manufacturing drugs is criminal regardless of quantity: up to 3 years at the lowest tier, 7 years or more at the middle tier, and 15 years, life imprisonment or the death penalty with confiscation of property at the top tier (Criminal Law art. 347). Illegal possession becomes criminal at 1 kg of cannabis oil, 2 kg of resin, or 30 kg of leaf or cannabis cigarettes, carrying up to 3 years, or 3 to 7 years in serious cases (art. 348).

You may carry a maximum of RMB 20,000 in Chinese currency in or out of China, and you must use the red channel to declare foreign cash worth US$5,000 or more.

Chinese cash above RMB 20,000 is not permitted out; failing to declare foreign cash of US$5,000 or more can bring fines or confiscation.

China can impose exit bans that block you from leaving — over business or family disputes, court orders, or investigations — and relatives, including minor children, can be barred too; travelers often find out only at the airport.

Can strand you in China for months or years

Religious literature brought into China must be a 'reasonable amount' for personal use only; larger quantities can be confiscated and bring fines, detention, or deportation.

Confiscation, fines, detention, or deportation

China has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol.

Detention and serious penalties for DUI.

Flying a drone in China requires a permit or license and may be restricted or illegal depending on location; restricted areas are often poorly marked and drones may be confiscated.

Confiscation; fines or detention in restricted areas

Using a satellite phone in China requires a permit; an unpermitted device may be confiscated and you may face a fine or detention.

Confiscation, fine, or detention

Using a VPN in China is illegal in most cases and can lead to your device being confiscated, a fine, or detention — assume no privacy on any network there.

Device seizure, fines, or detention

There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations in China, but same-sex marriage is not recognized and there are no anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation.

Security personnel may detain or deport you for private electronic messages critical of the government, and religious proselytizing is effectively illegal — unapproved religious activity can lead to arrest.

Detention, deportation, fines