Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from China
You have ashes in China and need to bring them home. This page covers what China requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does China require before ashes can leave?
Departure airports: PEK/PKX (Beijing Capital / Daxing International); PVG (Shanghai Pudong); CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun); CTU (Chengdu Tianfu)
Carriers serving the UK: Air China; China Eastern; British Airways; Virgin Atlantic
Authority that must release the case: Local Civil Affairs Bureau (Minzheng Ju); Local Civil Affairs Bureau exit permit; Chinese Customs clearance; Forensic department of the Public Security Bureau (PSB); Public Security Bureau (for unnatural deaths)
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
What does China require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in China due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from China, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation China requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
What else is worth knowing about China?
China does not recognise the Strasbourg Agreement; all documentation follows Chinese domestic law and bilateral consular conventions; Specialist Chinese-language funeral directors are essential, a generalist UK firm without China experience will struggle; The approved mortuary must be pre-cleared by local Civil Affairs; families should not engage any facility until the Embassy advises; Direct BA and Virgin flights from Beijing and Shanghai to Heathrow are an advantage, but cargo booking requires all documentation to be cleared first
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Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from China
Official support
British Embassy in China: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Local Civil Affairs Bureau (Minzheng Ju); Local Civil Affairs Bureau exit permit; Chinese Customs clearance; Forensic department of the Public Security Bureau (PSB); Public Security Bureau (for unnatural deaths) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for China
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from China
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from China
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.