Before landing
Complete the arrival card and, if required, the health declaration before you reach the desk. Have your passport, visa/visa-free proof, first hotel address and return/onward ticket ready. Put the address in Chinese characters — taxi drivers and some form helpers will not read English.
At immigration
- Join the correct queue: foreign passport, visa-free, transit or diplomatic.
- Answer purpose and length of stay consistently with your visa.
- Fingerprints and a photo may be taken.
- Keep the entry stamp and any small slip; you may need them at the hotel.
Customs and health
Use the red channel if you have goods to declare, cash above the reporting threshold, food, plants, animals or medicines that may be restricted. Use the green channel only if you are sure. Food, seeds, meat and some medicines are common problems. If you are carrying prescription medicine, keep the prescription and original packaging.
Reality check
The queue is only half the process; baggage and customs can take longer than immigration at peak times.
Local tip: Keep your first hotel address and onward ticket in a single offline note.
Step by step
- Fill in the arrival card and health declaration if required.
- Queue according to your passport/visa type.
- Show passport, visa/visa-free proof and onward ticket.
- Collect baggage and complete customs screening.
- Buy a SIM/eSIM or activate roaming before leaving the airport.
- Take an official taxi, airport express or metro to the hotel.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Arrival card/health form | Free |
| Airport express/metro | US$3–10 |
| Official taxi | US$15–40 depending on city/distance |
| SIM/eSIM | US$10–30 |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport and visa/visa-free proof
- Arrival card and health declaration
- First hotel address in Chinese
- Return/onward ticket
- Prescription medicine and prescriptions
Common mistakes
- Carrying food, meat or seeds without declaring them.
- Giving an English-only hotel address to a taxi driver.
- Losing the entry slip or not registering your stay.
- Carrying large cash without checking the reporting threshold.
If things go wrong
- If a bag is delayed, file a report before leaving the baggage hall.
- If customs questions an item, declare it and ask for the rule rather than arguing.
FAQ
Can I bring my prescription medicine?
Carry it in original packaging with the prescription and a doctor’s letter. Some controlled medicines require prior approval; check before travelling.
How much cash can I bring?
There is a reporting threshold for cash; check the current customs rule and declare if required. Do not hide cash.
Do I need a health declaration?
Requirements change. Check the airline/airport notice before departure and complete any required form.
First 72 hours: the field guide
The first three days are mostly logistics: documents, a working phone, a bed and a registered address. Get those right and the rest of the trip becomes much easier.
Before you land
Keep one offline folder with your passport photo page, visa, insurance, first hotel address in Chinese and onward ticket. Put the hotel address on your lock screen or a paper card. If you take prescription medicine, keep it in hand luggage with the prescription; checked bags get delayed.
At the airport
Complete the arrival card before the queue. Use the foreign-passport lane unless a staff member directs you elsewhere. After baggage, choose the red customs channel if you have anything to declare: food, plants, large cash, restricted medicine or commercial samples. The green channel is only for nothing-to-declare.
The first evening
Buy or activate a data plan, test a small mobile payment, and confirm that the hotel has registered your passport. If you are staying privately, ask the host about police-station registration before you unpack. Save the local emergency numbers and your embassy contact.
Quick checks
- Passport, visa and hotel address offline
- Working data plan and one payment app
- Registration confirmed at hotel or police station
- Cash backup and a second card
- Embassy and 120/110 numbers saved
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport and visa/visa-free proof
- Arrival card and health declaration
- First hotel address in Chinese
- Return/onward ticket
- Prescription medicine and prescriptions
- Fill in the arrival card and health declaration if required.
- Queue according to your passport/visa type.
- Show passport, visa/visa-free proof and onward ticket.
- Collect baggage and complete customs screening.
- Buy a SIM/eSIM or activate roaming before leaving the airport.
- Take an official taxi, airport express or metro to the hotel.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.