China arrival card vs China customs health declaration: sources disagree on whether the China Health Declaration is still required, so confirm its current status on the China Customs or NIA site before you travel. The Arrival Card is filed with the National Immigration Administration (NIA) at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. Declare cash and goods as required by China Customs; check current limits on the customs site before you travel.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. It doesn’t charge fees or file the card for you, so check details on the NIA portal before you fly. For a full walkthrough of the online form, see our step-by-step China Arrival Card guide.
Who Needs the Arrival Card
Foreign passport holders generally file the Arrival Card when entering mainland China. Some exempt categories are not covered, and border-area residents of seven countries use a separate Entry Declaration form on the NIA portal.
Flying from Changi? Check current visa rules with the Chinese embassy or NIA before you travel, and read our Changi departure guide for Singaporean travellers.
China Arrival Card vs China Customs Health Declaration
Immigration handles your passport and entry card. China Customs handles health and goods declarations.
| Formality | Authority | When and format | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival Card | NIA | You can fill it in online on the NIA portal | Active |
| Customs Baggage Declaration | China Customs | Follow China Customs rules | Depends on what you carry |
| Customs Health Declaration (“black code” QR) | China Customs | Formerly before arrival | Sources disagree on the current status |
Guides from 2022 and 2023 on QR codes may be out of date, and sources disagree on the current status of the declaration. Still have an old QR code on your phone? Check whether a health declaration is still required before you use it, and confirm any temporary health measures on government sources. If you need a new one, our Arrival Card QR code generation guide explains how the receipt works.
Filling Out the Arrival Card
You can fill in the Arrival Card online on the NIA portal. The NIA’s Arrival Card Filling page, an external government platform, is at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. It offers 13 languages: 中文, English, русский, Français, Español, العربية, 日本語, 한국어, ລາວ, Монгол, မြန်မာစာ, ไทย, Tiếng Việt. For help with name order, flight numbers and other fields, see our guide on how to fill in personal details on the card.
Some third-party sites charge for help with the form. Use the NIA link in this guide and do not enter payment details on any other site.
From Landing to Exit
Fill in the Arrival Card online
Complete the form on the NIA portal before your flight
Follow the signs after landing
Procedures vary by port of entry, so follow the instructions of immigration and customs officers
Pass the immigration desk
The officer checks your passport and entry record
Choose the customs channel
Follow the green and red channel rules; tell the officer at the checkpoint if you carry goods or cash that require a declaration
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Assuming one form covers both agencies | The Arrival Card goes to immigration, the declaration to customs. |
| Assuming no customs declaration is ever needed | Declare cash and goods as required by China Customs, and check the current rules before you pack. |
Transit without visa schemes, regional visa-free entry cards and port visas have separate rules. Check the NIA site for these, and see our 144-hour visa-free transit arrival card rules if you’re transiting via China. If you’ve already made an error on the form, our guide on arrival card mistakes and corrections explains how to fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between the China arrival card and the China customs health declaration?
The Arrival Card is an entry record that foreign passport holders file with NIA. The customs health declaration was a separate China Customs health formality, and sources disagree on whether it is still required, so confirm its current status on the China Customs or NIA site.
China arrival card vs China customs health declaration: do I need both when I land?
You need the Arrival Card. Customs asks for a declaration only if you carry items that require one, and the status of the health declaration is disputed, so check the China Customs site before you travel.
Do Singapore citizens need the arrival card for visa-free entry?
Singapore citizens generally need to file the Arrival Card unless they fall into an exempt category. Check the current visa and entry record rules on the NIA portal and with the Chinese embassy before you travel.
Can I complete the arrival card online before my flight?
Yes. You can complete the form online on the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, which offers 13 languages.
Do I have to pay for the arrival card, and how do I use the right site?
Some third-party sites charge for help with the form. Use the NIA link in this guide and do not enter payment details on any other site.
When do I have to declare cash at Chinese customs?
Declare cash as required by China Customs and use the declared channel. Check the current limits on the customs site before you travel, since allowances change often.
Should I choose the green or the red channel at Chinese customs?
China Customs sets the rules for the green and red channels, so check them before you travel. If you carry goods or cash that require a declaration, use the declared channel and tell the officer.
What happens at the border checkpoint before the immigration desk?
Procedures vary by port of entry, so follow the signs and the officers’ instructions. The immigration officer checks your passport and entry record at the desk.
Sources and Further Reading
- Arrival Card Filling: the NIA online form, available in 13 languages.
- Chinese embassy site: general notices, no arrival card information.
Rules can change, so check the official portals before you travel.
