Air Freight Prohibited & Restricted Items from China: 2025 Complete Guide

Air freight prohibited and restricted items from China require expert navigation of IATA DGR 66th edition 2025 + CAAC rules to avoid $10,000–$50,000 fines, shipment destruction, or 6-month export bans. As China remains the world’s largest air cargo origin (28.1 million tons in 2024, +5.8% forecast 2025 per CAAC), misdeclaring lithium batteries or chemicals triggers 100% inspection at PVG/SZX/CAN — but compliant UN-spec packaging, CAAC pre-approval, and CIPS digital documentation guarantee zero rejections and 20-30% lower insurance premiums.

Why Air Freight Prohibited & Restricted Items Matter for China Exports 2025

China is the world’s largest air cargo origin — 28.1 million tons in 2024, expected +5.8% in 2025 (CAAC forecast November 2025). Over 80% of global lithium battery production and 65% of consumer electronics come from China, making DG compliance the #1 pain point for exporters.

In 2025, CAAC introduced mandatory pre-approval for all DG shipments >100 kg from PVG/SZX/CAN (effective January 1). Non-compliance now triggers immediate $10,000–$50,000 fines and 6-month export bans for repeat offenders — real case: Shenzhen factory fined $42,000 in November 2025 for undeclared hoverboard batteries (CAAC public record).

The cost of getting it wrong is brutal: average damage claim $6,800, insurance denial rate 35% for poor packing (Lloyd’s Cargo Report 2025). Get it right and you save 20-30% on premiums, avoid delays, and keep your export license.

Shipping Tip: Use CAAC-approved DG packer in Shenzhen bonded zone — average rejection rate drops from 12% to 0.8% (Super International audit 2025).

Warning: 2025 CAAC rule — all DG shipments require digital Shipper’s Declaration via CIPS platform. Paper-only = automatic rejection at check-in.

Top Prohibited Items for Air Freight from China 2025 (With Real Cases)

These items are 100% banned on passenger and cargo aircraft from China (IATA DGR + CAAC supplement 2025).

The list is short but absolute — no exceptions, no appeals. China’s strict enforcement stems from its high DG volume (80% lithium batteries alone), and CAAC inspectors at major airports use AI scanners to detect undeclared items with 98% accuracy (CAAC tech report Q3 2025).

Exporters from Liuyang (fireworks) or Shenzhen (batteries) face the highest risk — one violation can halt factory exports for months.

#	Prohibited Item	Common China Example	Real 2025 Case
1	Explosives & fireworks	Liuyang firecrackers	$68,000 fine + factory ban 6 months (Liuyang Nov 2025)
2	Flammable gases >500ml	Aerosols, propane	$28,000 fine at CAN (November 2025)
3	Gasoline & diesel	Fuel samples	$35,000 fine + destruction (Shenzhen Oct 2025)
4	Strong corrosives	Battery acid	$42,000 fine (PVG Nov 2025)
5	Radioactive > limit	Medical isotopes	Immediate return + $50K fine (Beijing 2025)

Shipping Tip: Fireworks from Liuyang (90% of global production) are 100% prohibited on air — use sea freight only, even on freighters.

Restricted Dangerous Goods Classes & China-Specific Rules 2025

Restricted items can ship with proper packing and declaration — but China’s CAAC adds bilingual labeling and pre-approval for volumes over 100 kg.

Class 9 (miscellaneous DG) dominates China exports (85% of volume, IATA 2025), led by lithium batteries and magnetized materials from Shenzhen factories.

CAAC inspectors at PVG and SZX use X-ray + AI to flag non-compliant items — 2025 inspection rate hit 18% for DG, up from 12% in 2024 (CAAC data).

Class	Description	Max Net Qty Passenger	China 2025 Extra Rule
3	Flammable liquid	60 L	Max 30 L alcohol, Chinese label mandatory
8	Corrosives	30 kg	Double-wall box >30kg
9	Lithium batteries	PI 965–970	Max 30% SOC + UN38.3 + CAAC pre-approval >100 kg

Shipping Tip: For lithium batteries from China, use vermiculite cushioning + UN 4G box — real fire risk reduction 70% (IATA 2025).

Lithium Batteries Air Freight from China: 2025 Rules & Packing

Lithium batteries represent 80% of China DG air volume — 2025 rules are the strictest ever due to 42% global fire incidents (IATA Safety Report).

China’s Shenzhen-Dongguan cluster produces 80% of world lithium batteries, but CAAC’s 100% inspection for undeclared shipments caused 18% delay rate in Q3 2025.

Standalone batteries (UN3480) are the highest risk — must be in UN-spec boxes with vermiculite cushioning to absorb leaks.

Type	UN Number	Max SOC	Packing	China Requirement
Contained in equipment	UN3481	30%	PI 967	UN38.3 + CAAC form
Standalone	UN3480	30%	PI 965	Pre-approval >100 kg

Real case (Nov 2025): Shenzhen exporter shipped 120 kg UN3480 at 35% SOC — $42,000 fine + 3-month ban (CAAC record).

Shipping Tip: Use CAAC-approved UN box + vermiculite — avoids $1,500 repack fee at airport.

Penalties for Shipping Prohibited Items from China 2025

Penalties are escalating in 2025 with CAAC’s zero-tolerance for undeclared DG — average fine $28,000 for lithium misdeclaration alone.

Fines are calculated on shipment value + violation severity, with repeat offenders facing export license suspension under MOFCOM rules.

Real cases show destruction is common for high-risk items like explosives — no appeal process.

Violation	Fine (USD)	Additional Penalty
Undeclared DG	$10K–$50K	Destruction + 6-month ban
Misdeclared lithium batteries	$15K+	100% future inspection
Prohibited fireworks	$50K+	Criminal prosecution

Real case (Nov 2025): Shenzhen exporter fined $42,000 for undeclared hoverboard batteries — goods destroyed at PVG.

How to Check If Your Item Is Prohibited or Restricted from China

Check the item’s status before packing — 2025 IATA app and CAAC website make it fast.

Download IATA DGR 66th edition PDF — search Table 2.3.A for class.
Cross-reference CAAC prohibited list (bilingual PDF on CAAC.gov.cn).
For restricted, submit MSDS + UN test report to forwarder for pre-approval.
Use our free DG Checker tool — scans 10,000+ items in seconds.

Shipping Tip: For batteries, UN38.3 test report is non-negotiable — costs $500–$1,000 but avoids $15K+ fine.

Air Freight Packing Requirements for Restricted Items from China

Packing must meet UN specs + IATA PI numbers + CAAC bilingual labels.

China’s humidity (80–95% summer) and airport handling require extra cushioning and desiccants.

Requirement	IATA Standard	China 2025 Extra
Outer box	UN 4G/Y fibreboard	Double-wall >30kg
Cushioning	5 cm all sides	Vermiculite for lithium
Labels	Diamond DG labels	Chinese + English
Documentation	Shipper’s Declaration (2 copies)	CAAC DG form for >100 kg

Shipping Tip: Vacuum-seal inner packaging for perfumes — cuts volume 30% and prevents leakage.

Do’s and Don’ts for Air Cargo Packing from China 2025

Proper packing is the #1 reason shipments are rejected or damaged from China. Follow these 2025 rules exactly — they are audited daily by CAAC inspectors at PVG, CAN, and SZX.

Do’s for Air Cargo Packing from China

Do This	Why It Matters in 2025	Real Result
Use brand-new double-wall cardboard boxes	Reused boxes fail drop test 38% more often	Damage rate drops 42%
Individually bubble-wrap every item + 5 cm cushioning all sides	Turbulence reaches 9G on China-EU routes	Breakage <1%
Apply reinforced tape in H-pattern (7.5 cm wide)	Prevents opening at altitude pressure change	Zero box failures
Place 500 g desiccant per m³ for electronics	China humidity 80–95% in summer	Condensation claims down 70%
Use plastic pallets or ISPM-15 heat-treated wood	Metal nails trigger metal detector rejection	Avoid $800 repack fee
Print labels in Chinese + English	CAAC requires bilingual	100% faster screening
Keep pallet height ≤158 cm usable (160 cm max)	Fits Boeing 777 lower deck	No freighter reroute fee

Don’ts for Air Cargo Packing from China

Don’t Do This	2025 Consequence	Cost
Reuse old boxes	38% higher damage rate	$1,000+ claims
Overhang pallet edges	Immediate rejection at PVG	$1,200 repack
Use string or weak tape	Box opens at altitude	$2,000+ loss
Ship wooden pallets without ISPM-15 stamp	100% hold + fumigation	$1,500 delay fee
Forget Chinese labels	Manual inspection	2–5 day delay
Exceed 160 cm height on passenger flights	Forced freighter reroute	+$3/kg

Shipping Tip: Vacuum-seal textiles and use plastic pallets — cuts volume 30% and avoids moisture + metal detector issues (real 2025 savings 22% on average shipment).

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Freight Prohibited Items

What items are prohibited on air freight from China in 2025?

Fireworks, ammunition, gasoline, strong corrosives, radioactive materials — 100% banned (CAAC + IATA 2025).

Can I ship lithium batteries from China by air in 2025?

Yes — max 30% SOC, UN38.3 test report, PI 965–970 packing, CAAC pre-approval for >100 kg.

What penalty for shipping prohibited items from China 2025?

$10,000–$50,000 fine + shipment destruction + possible 6-month export ban (CAAC enforcement).

Are power banks allowed on air freight from China?

Restricted — max 100Wh without approval, 100–160Wh with CAAC pre-approval, >160Wh prohibited.

Can I ship perfumes from China by air?

Yes — Class 3, max 0.5L inner, 30L total per package, PI 305.

How to ship dry ice from China by air 2025?

Yes — max 200 kg per ULD, ventilation label, PI 954.

Master air freight prohibited and restricted items from China and you avoid $10,000+ fines in 2025. Use UN-spec packaging, CAAC-approved packers, and pre-approval for DG — these three moves alone are why our clients have 0.8% rejection rate vs industry 12

Lotus Liu, Global Procurement Editor at Jabil, is the authoritative voice on super international shipping and supply chain strategies. With proven expertise in strategic sourcing and supplier optimization, she provides clear, actionable insights to streamline complex global operations for professionals at all levels.

Free Quotation within 24Hours !

Super International Shipping

Monday, December 8, 2025