Q: I will be traveling from Munich to Shanghai and would like to bring a blunt metal replica sword in my checked baggage.

It is a decorative/collectible cosplay item with no sharp edge, and I will take it out of China again after my stay.

Could you please confirm whether I am permitted to bring this item into China through Pudong International Airport, and whether I need to declare it or provide any additional documentation?

A: Regarding bringing a blunt metal replica sword into and out of China, please refer to the following regulations:

1. According to China's lists of articles prohibited or restricted from entering or leaving the country, all types of weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition, and explosives are prohibited from entering China.

2. According to the relevant regulations on the criteria for identifying controlled knives, the following rules apply:

- Daggers: single-, double-, or multiple-edged pointed knives with a handle, guard, and blood groove, and a blade-tip angle of less than 60 degrees.

- Triangular scrapers: machining tools with three cutting edges.

- Spring-loaded folding knives (switchblades) with a self-locking device: folding knives whose blade, once opened or ejected, can be fixed and self-locked by a spring or latch inside the handle.

- Other similar single-, double-, or multiple-edged pointed knives: knives with a blade-tip angle of less than 60 degrees and a blade length exceeding 150 millimeters.

- Other single-, double-, or multiple-edged knives: knives with a blade-tip angle greater than 60 degrees and a blade length exceeding 220 mm.

- Knives used for martial arts, crafts, gifts, and similar purposes that have an unsharpened edge and a tip chamfer radius greater than 2.5 mm are not classified as controlled knives.

- For knives used by ethnic minorities, such as Tibetan knives, waist knives, boot knives, and sabers, the criteria for determining whether they are controlled shall be formulated by the public security organs of the people's governments of the relevant autonomous region, autonomous prefecture, or autonomous county with reference to the above standards.

3. If you are unsure whether the items you carry are subject to customs supervision, you should choose the red declaration channel and make a written declaration to customs authorities.

The Shanghai Customs response does not specify any additional documentation.

Source: Shanghai Customs