Air Freight Prohibited & Restricted Items from China
https://superinternationalshipping.blogspot.com/2025/12/air-freight-prohibited-restricted-items.html
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,