Arriving in China: Entry, Immigration & Customs Guide (2026)
Touching down in China for the first time can feel like a lot to process: a brand-new digital arrival card, biometric checkpoints, customs channels and a list of items you simply cannot bring. The good news is that the modern entry process is faster and more predictable than its paper-form reputation suggests. This guide walks you through exactly what happens from the moment your plane lands in June 2026 — from filling in your arrival information online, through immigration and fingerprinting, to clearing customs without an awkward conversation at the red channel.
If you are still sorting out paperwork before your trip, start with our hub on whether you need a China visa, then come back here for what happens at the border itself.
Before you land: the China Digital Arrival Card
Since 20 November 2025, China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) has run an online China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC), which replaced the old paper arrival slip for most foreign travelers entering by air, land or sea. According to the NIA, the service is free of charge — any website asking you to pay is not official.
You can complete the card through several official channels:
- The NIA's official website and government service platforms
- The "NIA 12367" mobile app
- WeChat or Alipay mini-programs
- A QR code displayed at the port of entry (as a backup)
Modern airport baggage claim hall with a single traveler waiting at carousel one
Travel and embassy advisories widely report that you should fill in the card within roughly 72 hours (three days) before arrival, though the NIA's own notice does not always state a fixed window — so complete it close to departure to be safe. Once submitted, the system generates a QR code that you (or an on-site officer) scan at immigration; there is no need to print anything. If you cannot complete it in advance, you can still do it on arrival using the airport's self-service kiosks, your phone, or a paper form. Always confirm the current procedure on the official NIA site (en.nia.gov.cn) before you fly.
At immigration: fingerprints, e-channels and queues
After leaving the aircraft you follow signs to Immigration Inspection (sometimes labeled "Border Inspection"). Here an officer checks your passport and visa, scans your arrival-card QR code, and — for most travelers — collects biometric data, namely your ten fingerprints and a facial photograph.
A few points worth knowing:
- Fingerprinting generally applies to travelers aged roughly 14 to 70. Children under 14 and visitors over 70 are commonly exempt, along with diplomatic travelers and people physically unable to provide prints — but verify your situation, as rules can change.
- The biometric capture at the border is separate from any fingerprints you may have given when applying for your visa.
- Some frequent travelers and permit holders can use automated e-channel gates, but most first-time foreign visitors will go through a staffed counter.
Travelers queuing in line at a Shanghai airport terminal with bilingual arrival signage
Queues can be long after a wave of arrivals, so have your passport and phone (with the arrival-card QR ready) in hand and keep face coverings off when asked, so the camera can match your photo.
Through customs: channels, allowances and currency
With your bag collected, you reach customs. China uses the standard two-channel system:
- Green channel — for travelers carrying nothing that must be declared.
- Red channel — for anyone carrying goods to declare, dutiable items, or cash above the limits.
Choosing the green channel when you should have used the red one is what gets travelers into trouble, so when in doubt, declare. Widely cited current duty-free personal allowances for arriving passengers are:
| Item | Typical duty-free allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal-use goods (non-residents) | Up to about RMB 2,000 in value |
| Personal-use goods (China residents) | Up to about RMB 5,000 in value |
| Cigarettes | 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500g tobacco |
| Alcohol | 1,500 ml of drinks at 12%+ ABV |
On currency: travelers are generally expected to declare foreign cash equivalent to US$5,000 or more, and there is a long-standing limit of RMB 20,000 on Chinese banknotes carried in or out. These thresholds are widely reported but can be adjusted, so confirm the latest figures with China Customs (GACC) before you travel. The official China Customs (GACC) website is the final word on declarations.
What you can't bring: prohibited and restricted items
China enforces strict quarantine and customs rules, mainly to protect agriculture and public health. The items most likely to cause problems for ordinary tourists are food and plant products.
Commonly prohibited or restricted items include:
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh or processed meat, dairy, and eggs (including things like beef jerky and homemade preserves)
- Seeds, soil, live plants and cut flowers (subject to agricultural quarantine and declaration)
- Weapons, ammunition and imitation firearms
- Controlled drugs and certain medicines in large quantities
- Counterfeit currency and materials deemed politically or culturally sensitive
A separate health/quarantine declaration may also apply on arrival; at many airports this is handled by a QR-code scan at the health desk rather than a paper form. Travelers with pets should note that animals face strict, sometimes lengthy, quarantine arrangements.
Your quick arrival checklist
- Complete the CDAC online in the days before you fly and keep the QR ready on your phone.
- Expect fingerprints and a photo at immigration if you are aged about 14–70.
- Pick the green channel only if you truly have nothing to declare.
- Leave fresh food, meat and plant material at home, and declare cash near the US$5,000 / RMB 20,000 thresholds.
Rules at the border evolve, so treat this as orientation rather than legal advice, and always cross-check the official NIA and China Customs websites close to your trip. Do that, and your arrival in China should be smooth and stress-free.