China customs declaration vs arrival card differences start with who asks for each form. The arrival card goes to immigration, the National Immigration Administration (NIA), and records who you are. A customs declaration is a separate form, handled by the customs authorities.
This is an independent guide for UK travellers, not a government site, so confirm details with NIA, GACC or the Chinese embassy in London before you fly.
China Customs Declaration vs Arrival Card Differences
The arrival card registers you with NIA. The customs declaration is a separate matter for customs. Check each one separately. For a full overview of the entry form itself, see our complete guide to the China Arrival Card.
| Document | Body | What it covers and where you hand it in | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigner Arrival Card | NIA | Online before travel, or on arrival via self-service kiosks or QR codes; paper forms during a short transition period | Yes, unless exempt |
| Customs Baggage Declaration | Customs authorities | Dutiable goods, currency and restricted items; check current rules with the Chinese embassy in London | Check whether it applies to you |
The digital arrival card started on 20 November 2025 as one of ten new NIA measures announced at the time.
Who Needs the Arrival Card?
Foreign nationals entering on a visa or visa-free should expect to file one unless exempt. The NIA has confirmed seven exempt groups:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China
- Non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macao with a Mainland Travel Permit
- Group travellers on a group visa or group visa-free entry
- Transit passengers staying in the port or airport zone for up to 24 hours
- Cruise passengers who enter and leave on the same ship
- Eligible travellers using biometric fast-track lanes
- Crew of foreign international transport vehicles
Exemptions can change, so check with NIA or the embassy. For a detailed breakdown of the exempt categories, see our article on who is exempt from the China Arrival Card.
Red Channel or Green Channel?
Whether anything you carry needs to be declared depends on current customs rules, which change over time. Confirm the categories and thresholds below with GACC or the Chinese embassy in London before you travel.
| Trigger | Threshold | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | Check the current limit with the Chinese embassy in London | Depends on what you carry |
| Goods for resale or samples | Check whether commercial goods count | Depends on what you carry |
| Dutiable items, alcohol, tobacco | Check current allowances with GACC | Depends on what you carry |
| Restricted items | Check current rules with GACC | Depends on what you carry |
| Unaccompanied or split luggage | Check current rules with GACC | Depends on what you carry |
If you’re unsure whether something needs to be declared, ask the customs officials at the port, and confirm the current rules with GACC or the Chinese embassy in London before you travel.
Step by Step: From Landing to Clearance
File the digital arrival card
Before you fly or on arrival.
Complete entry formalities
At the border.
Check whether a customs declaration applies
Check with the Chinese embassy in London whether any customs declaration applies to what you’re carrying.
You can file the digital card on the NIA website, in the “NIA 12367” app, in WeChat or Alipay mini programs, or at airport kiosks using QR codes. Check the NIA channels with the Chinese embassy in London before you travel. If you prefer to prepare in advance, our step-by-step guide to filling out the China Arrival Card online walks you through each field, and the documents required to fill the China Arrival Card explain what to have ready.
Common Mistakes and Pre-Flight Checks
- Assuming one form covers everything. Confirm what each entry form requires with the Chinese embassy in London before you fly.
- Not checking whether any customs declaration applies to what you’re carrying. Ask the embassy or GACC before you travel.
Before you fly, check your passport validity and visa or visa-free transit requirements with the Chinese embassy in London. If you’re unsure how the entry form relates to your visa, read our comparison of the China Arrival Card vs China visa difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the China customs declaration vs arrival card differences?
The arrival card is an NIA entry form, filed online before travel or on arrival. Any customs declaration is a separate matter; check with the Chinese embassy in London whether it applies to you.
China customs declaration vs arrival card differences: do I need to complete both?
Most foreign visitors must file the arrival card unless exempt. Check with the Chinese embassy in London whether any customs declaration applies to you.
Is the arrival card mandatory for all foreign passengers?
No. Seven groups are exempt, including permanent resident ID card holders, cruise passengers on the same ship, and crew. Other foreign travellers entering on a visa or visa-free should plan to file unless exempt. Confirm with NIA or the embassy.
When is a customs declaration required for tourists entering China?
It depends on what you carry. Check current rules with the Chinese embassy in London or GACC before you travel, and ask the customs officials at the port if you’re unsure.
Do transit passengers staying up to 24 hours need an arrival card?
Transit passengers staying in the port or airport zone for up to 24 hours are exempt from the arrival card. Separately, from 5 November 2025, the 24-hour visa-free transit policy extended to ten more international airports, such as Tianjin and Dalian (list incomplete). Check your airport with NIA.
Is the digital arrival card free, and where can I file it?
You can file it through NIA channels: the “NIA 12367” app, WeChat or Alipay mini programs, or airport kiosks using QR codes. Check the NIA channels with the Chinese embassy in London before you travel. Third-party services may charge for help with the form; they are separate from the NIA channels.
Is there still a health declaration QR code for entering China?
Health-related entry requirements have changed over recent years. Check with GACC or the Chinese embassy in London whether any health declaration currently applies before you travel.
Do I need to keep part of the arrival card until I leave China?
If you’re given any document or confirmation at entry, keep it until you leave China. Check with NIA what you need to retain, especially if you filed the card digitally.
