Arrival
in China
What to do after landing: immigration, baggage, customs, airport transport, mobile data, payment, and hotel check-in.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Quick answer
Quick answer
Follow the Arrivals / Immigration signs, prepare your passport and entry documents, complete immigration checks, collect baggage, pass customs, then set up mobile data, payment, airport transport, and hotel check-in. Before departure, check the visa information guide and review what not to bring to China before departure.
Printable checklist
China Arrival Checklist
Save the immigration, baggage, customs, airport transport, and hotel check-in steps.
Before landing
Prepare these items before the plane lands so the arrival process feels less stressful.
Prepare passport and entry documents
Keep your passport, visa, visa-free documents, or transit documents easy to reach before landing.
Save return or onward travel proof
Keep screenshots of your return flight, onward ticket, or travel itinerary in case border officers ask.
Save hotel address and contact
Prepare your hotel name, address in Chinese, phone number, and local contact if you have one.
Check declaration requirements
Some travelers may need to complete arrival or customs declaration information. Check official sources before departure.
Arrival in China in 7 steps
This is the usual airport flow after landing. Exact steps may vary by airport, nationality, visa type, and current rules.
Complete the arrival card if required
Complete the official online form before immigration if required. Prepare your passport, flight details, and address in China, then save the QR receipt.
Complete the arrival card if required
Complete the official online form before immigration if required. Prepare your passport, flight details, and address in China, then save the QR receipt.
Follow Immigration / Arrivals signs
After leaving the aircraft, follow signs for Arrivals, Immigration, or Border Inspection. Do not follow transfer signs unless you have a connecting flight.
Follow Immigration / Arrivals signs
After leaving the aircraft, follow signs for Arrivals, Immigration, or Border Inspection. Do not follow transfer signs unless you have a connecting flight.
Complete fingerprint collection if required
Some foreign visitors may be asked to complete fingerprint collection at self-service machines before immigration inspection.
Complete fingerprint collection if required
Some foreign visitors may be asked to complete fingerprint collection at self-service machines before immigration inspection.
Queue for immigration inspection
Prepare your passport, entry documents, hotel address, and return or onward travel details. Answer questions clearly and briefly.
Queue for immigration inspection
Prepare your passport, entry documents, hotel address, and return or onward travel details. Answer questions clearly and briefly.
Collect your checked baggage
After immigration, follow signs to baggage claim and check the screen for your flight number and carousel.
Collect your checked baggage
After immigration, follow signs to baggage claim and check the screen for your flight number and carousel.
Pass customs declaration
Choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you carry goods that need declaration.
Pass customs declaration
Choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you carry goods that need declaration.
Enter the arrivals hall
Once outside customs, turn on mobile data, prepare payment, check airport transport, and continue to your hotel.
Enter the arrivals hall
Once outside customs, turn on mobile data, prepare payment, check airport transport, and continue to your hotel.
Common immigration questions
Border officers may ask simple questions about your trip. Keep answers short and consistent with your documents.
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- How long will you stay in China?
- Where will you stay?
- What is your hotel address?
- Do you have a return or onward ticket?
- Who are you visiting, if applicable?
Customs: red or green channel?
For most tourists, customs is simple. The key is knowing whether you have anything to declare.
Green channel
Use this if you have nothing to declare. This is the common route for many ordinary tourists.
Red channel
Use this if you carry goods that may need declaration, such as restricted items, large cash amounts, or high-value goods.
Ask when unsure
If you are not sure about medicine, food, cash, or valuable items, ask customs staff before leaving the customs area.
After arrival checklist
Once you reach the arrivals hall, use this checklist to get ready for your first trip into the city.
Turn on mobile data
Activate roaming, eSIM, or your local data option before leaving the airport.
Prepare mobile payment
Open Alipay or WeChat Pay and check that your QR code or backup payment works.
Find airport transport
Choose airport rail, metro, taxi, ride-hailing, or a pre-booked transfer before heading to the exit.
Check in at your hotel
Bring your passport. Hotels in China need passport information for accommodation registration.
Next after landing
Use these three guides once you have passed customs and reached the arrivals hall.
Official sources to check
Entry and customs rules can change. Verify current requirements with official sources before departure.