Have these ready
- Original passports and applicable visa or visa-free evidence, with separate documents for children. A screenshot does not replace a travel document.
- The hotel’s Chinese name, full address, phone number and booking; if staying with a friend, their contact details.
- Keep your phone charged and save transport details and bookings offline. Avoid storing your only copies behind a login that requires a text message.
Immigration and customs are separate
- 1
Complete arrival information
Foreign travellers who need an arrival card can use NIA’s official online form. Port devices and paper forms remain available if you cannot complete it beforehand. The card is neither a visa nor a customs declaration.
- 2
Pass immigration
Use the queue appropriate to your documents and entry route. Answer questions about purpose, accommodation and departure accurately. Transit visitors should follow instructions for temporary entry permission.
- 3
Collect bags and clear customs
Check baggage tags and report missing or damaged bags to the airline before leaving. Use the declaration channel for declarable items; ask customs about uncertain medicines, foods or large amounts of cash.
After reaching arrivals
- Activate your purchased data plan and test the connection. A data eSIM usually does not supply a Chinese SMS number. If needed, ask an official carrier counter about passport-based SIM registration.
- Check that payment apps open and keep a backup card and renminbi available. Do not transfer money to a stranger just to test payment.
- Check the airport code and hotel district, then use rail with enough time before closing or the official taxi queue. Do not assume trains still run after a late arrival.
- Present your passport for hotel registration. Outside hotels, ensure you or your host completes the required registration promptly; see the accommodation guide for the procedure.
Check before you go
Customs and immigration requirements depend on your circumstances. Use the official arrival-card channel; there is no need to rush into a paid form-filling service.
Common questions
What if airport Wi-Fi needs a code I cannot receive?
Ask the airport help desk about its official connection options or use your enabled roaming. A printed or offline accommodation address lets you reach your stay even without internet.
Should I book a sight for arrival day?
Choose flexible, cancellable plans. Immigration, baggage, transport and check-in can take longer than expected, making a tightly timed non-refundable reservation risky.
Read next & sources
Sources
- Arrival cards, transit conditions and timing国家移民管理局 / NIA · 2025-11-03
- Customs baggage and restricted items中国海关 / China Customs
- Nationwide online registration outside hotels国家移民管理局 / NIA · 2026-09-21
Sources support the relevant rules, last reviewed 3 Oct 2026. Routes, budgets and practical suggestions are editorial guidance, not official guarantees. Recheck rules and service availability before travelling.