Arriving in China: Customs, Immigration, and Your First 2 Hours

Your plane has touched down in China. The seatbelt sign is off. What happens next?

For first-time visitors, the next two hours can feel overwhelming. Immigration questions, customs declarations, unfamiliar signage—it's a lot to process while jet-lagged. This guide walks you through every step so you know exactly what's coming.

Before Landing: The Arrival Card

On most flights into China, cabin crew distribute arrival cards about an hour before landing. Fill this out during the flight—it saves time later.

The card asks for:

• Full name (as on passport)
• Nationality
• Passport number
• Flight number
• Purpose of visit
• Address in China (your hotel's address)
• Occupation

Write legibly. The immigration officer will check this card against your passport.

Pro tip: If you don't receive a card on the plane, blank forms are available at the immigration hall. But having it ready saves queue time.

Step 1: Health Declaration (If Required)

Health declaration requirements change based on global health situations. As of 2025, China intermittently requires digital health declarations during disease outbreaks or heightened monitoring periods.

When active, you'll need to:

1. Scan a QR code displayed in the arrival area
2. Fill out a short health questionnaire on your phone
3. Receive a confirmation code or green pass
4. Show this to officials before immigration

When not required, you'll walk straight to immigration. Check current requirements on the Chinese embassy website before traveling.

Step 2: Immigration

Follow signs to "入境" (Entry) or "Immigration." The walk can be surprisingly long in major airports—Beijing Capital's Terminal 3 walk is nearly a kilometer.

The Queue System

Lines are divided by passport type:

• Chinese Citizens: The longest lines, but fastest processing
• Foreign Passports: Where you'll queue
• Crew/Official: Ignore these

Some airports have automated gates for certain nationalities with e-visas or frequent-visit records, but most tourists go through staffed counters.

At the Counter

Hand over:

• Your passport
• Your completed arrival card
• Your visa (the officer will find it)
• Boarding pass (sometimes requested)

The officer may ask questions:

• "What is the purpose of your visit?" → Tourism / Business / Visiting friends
• "How long will you stay?" → Answer in days or weeks
• "Where will you stay?" → Your hotel name or city
• "Do you have a return ticket?" → Show on phone if asked

Answer briefly and honestly. This isn't an interrogation—they process thousands of visitors daily.

Fingerprints and Photo

You'll place your fingers on a scanner and look at a camera. This is standard biometric collection, similar to what the US does for foreign visitors.

The Stamp

Your passport gets stamped with your entry date and permitted stay duration. Check this stamp before leaving the counter—errors happen and are much easier to fix immediately.

144-Hour Transit Without Visa

If you're entering under the visa-free transit policy:

• You'll go to a special line for "144-Hour Visa-Free Transit"
• Additional documentation is checked (onward ticket to third country)
• You receive a temporary entry permit instead of a regular stamp
• Your 144 hours begin at midnight following your arrival

See our 144-hour visa guide for complete details.

Step 3: Baggage Claim

After clearing immigration, follow signs to "行李提取" (Baggage Claim).

Screens display flight numbers with corresponding carousel numbers. Large airports have multiple baggage halls—make sure you're in the right one.

If your bag doesn't appear:

1. Wait until the carousel stops completely
2. Find the airline's baggage service counter (usually nearby)
3. File a claim with your baggage tag (the sticker from check-in)
4. Get a contact number and reference number
5. Most delayed bags arrive within 24-48 hours

Step 4: Customs

China operates a red/green channel system:

Green Channel (Nothing to Declare)

If you're carrying:

• Personal items
• Reasonable amounts of clothing and electronics
• Under 400 cigarettes, 2 bottles of alcohol (under 1.5L each)
• Gifts under ¥5,000 total value

Walk through the green channel. You likely won't be stopped, but random inspections occur.

Red Channel (Goods to Declare)

Use if you're carrying:

• Commercial quantities of anything
• Large amounts of cash (over $5,000 USD equivalent)
• Excess alcohol or tobacco
• Goods intended for sale
• Restricted items requiring permits

Declare honestly. Penalties for undeclared goods can include confiscation, fines, and in severe cases, detention.

What Gets Attention at Customs

Officers look for:

• Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants (quarantine concerns)
• Large amounts of medicine
• Multiple identical items (resale suspicion)
• High-value electronics in excessive quantities
• Political or religious materials in large volumes
• Drones (require registration)

A single laptop, camera, phone? No problem. Three laptops still in packaging? Expect questions.

The X-Ray Belt

Even in the green channel, your bags go through an X-ray scanner. Officers watch the screen and occasionally pull bags for inspection.

If selected for inspection:

• Stay calm—random checks are normal
• Open your bag when asked
• Explain items if asked
• Wait for clearance before repacking

Step 5: Currency and SIM Cards

Before leaving the secure area, consider:

Currency Exchange

Airport exchange rates are unfavorable but convenient. If you need cash immediately:

• Exchange just enough for transportation (~¥500)
• Get better rates at banks in the city
• Or skip cash entirely and use mobile payment

ATMs are also available. Check with your home bank about international withdrawal fees before using.

SIM Cards

Airport shops sell tourist SIM cards at marked-up prices but with convenience:

• China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have booths
• Bring your passport (required for registration)
• Plans typically run ¥200-400 for 7-30 days
• Or wait and buy in the city for better prices

See our SIM card guide for detailed comparisons.

Step 6: Getting Into the City

You emerge into the arrivals hall. Now what?

Taxi

Follow signs to "出租车" (Taxi) or "Taxi Stand." Use only the official queue—never accept rides from people approaching you in the terminal.

• Have your destination written in Chinese
• Insist on the meter (计价器)
• Keep the receipt for your records

Ride-Hailing (Didi)

If you've set up Didi beforehand:

• Follow signs to "网约车" (Online Car-Hailing) pickup areas
• Book your ride in the app
• Match the license plate before getting in
• Often cheaper than taxis, always metered

Metro

Major airports connect to city metro systems:

• Beijing Capital: Airport Express Line
• Beijing Daxing: Daxing Airport Express
• Shanghai Pudong: Line 2 or Maglev
• Guangzhou Baiyun: Line 3

Budget ¥15-50 and 45-90 minutes depending on city and destination.

Airport Bus

Cheaper than taxis, more direct than metros:

• Multiple routes to different city areas
• Tickets ¥15-30
• Check destination signs carefully

Hotel Shuttle

Many hotels offer airport pickup. Arrange this when booking—it's stress-free but typically costs as much as a taxi.

Common Problems and Solutions

"Your visa is for a different entry point"

Some visas specify entry cities. If yours says Beijing but you're arriving in Shanghai, you'll be questioned. Usually not a problem for tourism but worth noting.

Arrival card mistakes

If you make an error, ask for a new card rather than crossing out. Clean forms process faster.

Long immigration lines

Major airports during peak hours (mornings, evenings) can mean 30-60 minute waits. There's no way around this except booking less popular arrival times.

Customs random selection

Being pulled aside doesn't mean suspicion. Answer questions, show items if asked, and you'll be on your way.

Missing connecting flight

If you're transiting through China to another country and fear missing your connection, tell an airport staff member immediately. They can sometimes expedite you through priority lines.

First-Timer Psychological Prep

The arrival experience in China can feel more intense than other countries. Everything's in Chinese (with some English), the crowds are large, and the systems are unfamiliar.

Some reassurance:

• Airport staff are helpful. They deal with confused foreigners constantly.
• Signage includes English in all major airports.
• You have time. Budget 90 minutes from landing to exiting the airport on first visits.
• Everyone else figured it out. Millions of tourists navigate this annually.

Take a breath, follow the signs, and remember that the interesting part of your trip starts once you clear the airport.

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Preparing for your arrival? The China Survival Kit includes airport guides, offline maps, and everything you need for your first days in China.