Is it illegal to pay for foreign duty-free cigarettes when a friend travels abroad?

If it exceeds the prescribed amount, it is illegal.

"Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China"

Article 23 Tobacco leaves and tobacco products that are mailed or carried in other places must not exceed the limit prescribed by the relevant competent department of the State Council .

Article 24: Individuals carrying tobacco products into China must not exceed the limit stipulated by the relevant competent authorities of the State Council.

Article 31 If tobacco monopoly products are consigned or self-transported without a transportation permit or in excess of the quantity specified in the transportation permit, the tobacco monopoly administrative department shall impose a fine and may purchase illegal goods at a price stipulated by the state. Transported tobacco monopoly products; in serious cases, illegally transported tobacco monopoly products and illegal gains shall be confiscated.

If the carrier knowingly transports tobacco monopoly goods for units or individuals without a transportation permit, the illegal gains will be confiscated by the tobacco monopoly administrative department and a fine will be imposed.

If the quantity of tobacco leaves and tobacco products carried in other places exceeds the limit specified by the state, and the quantity is large, it shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the first paragraph.

According to the provisions of Article 23 of the "Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China", the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration issued the "Notice on Regulating the Management of Carrying Cigarettes in Other Places and the Use of Carrying Permits" (State Tobacco Monopoly Administration) Yanzhuan [2008] No. 18). The "Notice" stipulates that the maximum limit for individuals to carry cigarettes across regions (cities) when taking vehicles such as cars, boats, airplanes, etc. is 10,000 sticks (50 sticks) per person. Individuals carrying cigarettes within the maximum limit do not need to apply for a carrying certificate. The Tobacco Monopoly Administration shall refer to the penalties for illegal transportation of cigarettes without a transport permit for those who carry more than the maximum personal carrying limit without a carrying permit or carry more than the number of cigarettes specified in the carrying permit. On July 20, 2009, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration issued the "Reply on Carrying Excessive Counts of Cigarettes in Other Places" (State Tobacco Office [2009] No. 280), which further clarified the relevant penalties for carrying excessive amounts of cigarettes in other places. The "Approval" clearly states that exceeding the maximum personal carrying limit without a carrying permit falls under Article 55 (4) of the "Regulations on the Implementation of the Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China" (State Council Order No. 223) Legal circumstances must be punished. That is to say, for those who carry more than 10,000 cigarettes (50 cigarettes) in other places, the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau will impose a fine of not less than 20% but not more than 50% of the value of the illegally carried tobacco monopoly products. The illegally carried cigarettes can be purchased at the price specified by the state. Tobacco specialty products (the purchase price is calculated based on 70% of the market wholesale price of the tobacco specialty products).