Arriving in China: Airport Immigration, Customs and Transport Guide (2026)
Quick answer — China airport arrival guide: After your flight lands in mainland China, follow signs for international arrivals, complete immigration inspection, collect your baggage, choose the correct customs channel, then arrange connectivity, payment and an official ride or airport rail connection. Keep your passport, entry document, first-night address and onward ticket accessible until you have left the airport.
China’s major airports are highly organized, but a first arrival can still feel complicated because immigration, baggage, customs, phone service and ground transport happen in a fixed order. This guide explains that order without assuming that every airport has the same facilities.
The arrival sequence at a glance
| Stage | What you need | Main decision |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Arrival card | Passport, flight and accommodation details | Online official form or paper card |
| 2. Immigration | Passport and valid basis for entry | Normal entry or eligible transit procedure |
| 3. Baggage | Baggage receipt and carousel information | Report damage or loss before leaving the secure area |
| 4. Customs | Your baggage and any declaration documents | Green channel or red channel |
| 5. Connectivity | Roaming, eSIM, airport Wi-Fi or local SIM | Connect now or after reaching the city |
| 6. Transport | Hotel address and pickup instructions | Rail, official taxi, DiDi or pre-arranged transfer |
Before landing: keep these details offline
- Your passport and valid visa, visa-free eligibility evidence or transit documents.
- Your first accommodation’s name, address and phone number in English and, ideally, Chinese.
- Your return or onward booking when it is relevant to your entry basis.
- Offline screenshots of your hotel confirmation, airport terminal and transport plan.
- At least one working payment backup: an international card plus some cash or a second card.
If this is your first visit, complete the broader China pre-departure checklist before flying. Travelers relying on a transit exemption should separately verify the route and permitted area in our 240-hour visa-free transit guide.
Step 1: complete the foreigner arrival card
Since November 20, 2025, foreign travelers can submit arrival information online before traveling through official National Immigration Administration channels. The service is free. Paper arrival cards remain available at ports, and travelers who cannot submit in advance can use a designated QR code or airport device after arrival.
Use only the official NIA service. The authority has warned about counterfeit websites charging travelers for a form that is free. You will generally need passport, flight, purpose-of-visit and accommodation information. Completing the form online does not replace a visa or create eligibility for visa-free entry; it only supplies the arrival information required for inspection.
Step 2: pass immigration inspection
Follow signs for foreign passports or international arrivals. Keep your passport open to the photo page and remove it from any cover if requested. Be ready to show the document supporting your entry, your accommodation details and an onward ticket when relevant. Biometric collection or additional questions may be required depending on the traveler and the port.
Answer briefly and consistently. A normal question about your destination, length of stay or hotel is not a sign that anything is wrong. Do not photograph the inspection desk, officers or computer screens. If you are applying for temporary entry under a transit policy, follow the airport’s designated procedure rather than joining a normal entry queue without checking.
Step 3: collect baggage before customs
Check the carousel screen because large airports may use different baggage halls for nearby flights. Inspect checked luggage before leaving the restricted area. If a bag is missing or damaged, find the airline’s baggage-service desk and obtain a written report before going through customs. Keep the baggage tag attached to your boarding pass until the matter is resolved.
Step 4: choose the correct customs channel
China Customs uses a red “Things to Declare” channel and a green “Nothing to Declare” channel. The green channel is for passengers whose baggage does not require a declaration. Use the red channel if you are carrying declarable, restricted or uncertain items, or if an officer instructs you to do so.
Do not treat the green channel as “no inspection.” Officers may still examine baggage. Rules differ by item and can change, so check China Customs before travel if you carry large amounts of currency, professional equipment, medicines, food, plants, animal products or high-value goods. When unsure, declaring and asking is safer than guessing.
Step 5: get connected without delaying your exit
Your fastest option is usually a roaming plan or travel eSIM installed before departure. Airport Wi-Fi login methods vary; some major airports allow passport verification when a Chinese phone number is unavailable. Local SIM counters and portable Wi-Fi rentals are available at some international arrival halls, but hours, prices and supported languages differ.
Do not block the customs exit while trying to activate a phone plan. Move into the public arrivals area, connect to a legitimate airport network and keep your passport in view if a service counter needs it. Compare the practical trade-offs in our China internet guide, eSIM comparison and local SIM guide.
Step 6: prepare payment before leaving the terminal
Alipay and WeChat Pay are useful, but airport arrival is a poor time to discover that identity verification, card authorization or SMS access is incomplete. Set up mobile payment before flying and keep an international card and cash backup. Airport merchants and transport operators do not all accept the same methods.
If mobile payment fails, do not repeatedly retry until your bank blocks the transaction. Switch to another approved method and troubleshoot later on a stable connection. See how to pay in China and the separate foreign card guide.
Step 7: choose airport transport
| Option | Best for | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Airport rail or metro | Solo travelers with manageable luggage | Last train, interchange and walk from the destination station |
| Official taxi queue | Door-to-door travel without app setup | Use the signed queue and show the address in Chinese |
| DiDi | App users who can identify a pickup zone | Terminal, floor, door number and vehicle plate |
| Pre-arranged transfer | Families, late arrivals or heavy luggage | Driver identity, meeting point and delay policy |
Ignore unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal. Use the official taxi rank, signed public transport or a confirmed app pickup. Large airports may separate ride-hailing zones from taxi queues, and the pickup floor may differ from the arrivals floor. Confirm the plate before entering a DiDi. Our DiDi guide and metro guide explain the next steps.
After reaching your accommodation
Hotels should handle accommodation registration during check-in. Keep your passport available and make sure the booking accepts foreign guests and matches your passport name. If you stay in a private home or another non-hotel property, different registration steps apply. Read the China hotel and accommodation registration guide before arrival.
Common arrival mistakes
- Using a paid or unofficial arrival-card website.
- Keeping the hotel address only inside an app that needs internet access.
- Leaving baggage claim before reporting a missing suitcase.
- Choosing the green customs channel without checking uncertain items.
- Accepting an unofficial airport ride because the driver approaches first.
- Assuming a long immigration queue means you will miss a train booked too soon after landing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use a paper arrival card?
Yes. The NIA says paper cards remain available at entry ports for travelers who do not complete the online form.
Does the online arrival card cost money?
No. The official service is free. Avoid third-party sites that request payment for submitting it.
Should I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Only if the counter is open, the plan is clear and you need a Chinese number immediately. A pre-installed eSIM or roaming plan is usually faster for the first connection.
Can I take DiDi from any arrivals door?
No. Many airports use designated ride-hailing zones. Follow the in-app pickup point and airport signs, then verify the plate and vehicle before boarding.
What if I need urgent help?
Use an airport information desk or uniformed officer. For serious emergencies in mainland China, see the emergency numbers guide.
Official references
- National Immigration Administration: official arrival card channels and fraud warning
- National Immigration Administration: online arrival card implementation and exemptions
- China Customs: clearance guide for international passengers
- Shanghai Airport Group: inbound traveler services at Pudong Airport
Final check: passport accessible, official arrival information complete, accommodation address saved offline, payment backup ready and airport transport chosen before you leave the public arrivals hall.
