Last checked: 2026-07-07

China Entry Card and Customs Guide for Japanese Travelers

You've just landed at Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, or Narita's connection via Hong Kong. The plane taxis to the gate. You gather your bags. Then you hit the first real hurdle of any China trip: the arrival formalities.

For Japanese travelers, the process is straightforward but has a few specific quirks. The arrival card (外国人入境卡) and customs declaration are separate steps, and getting them wrong can cost you 20 minutes in line or, worse, a flagged passport.

This guide covers exactly what you need to fill out, what to declare, and how to move through customs without friction.

Quick Answer

All travelers entering mainland China, including Japanese passport holders, must complete two steps: an Arrival Card (handed out on the plane or at the immigration hall) and a Customs Health Declaration (done digitally via WeChat mini-program or paper form). Japanese citizens currently enjoy visa-free entry for stays up to 15 days for tourism, business, or transit, but this policy is subject to change. Always check the latest visa rules before you fly.

For customs: use the Red Channel if you have items to declare (over 5,000 RMB in cash, expensive electronics, large quantities of goods). Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare. Most tourists use the Green Channel.

What To Know Before You Decide

The Arrival Card (外国人入境卡)

This is a small paper card, usually handed out by flight attendants before landing. If you miss it, you can pick one up at the immigration hall.

What you need to fill in:

• Full name (as on passport)
• Passport number
• Nationality (日本 / Japan)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Flight number
• Purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit)
• Duration of stay
• Hotel address in China (write the hotel name and city; a full street address is not required but helps)
• Signature

Important for Japanese travelers:

• Write your name in English (as on passport), not kanji. Immigration officers may not read kanji consistently.
• If you have a Japanese passport with a chip, you may be able to use the e-gate at some airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou). The e-gate reads your passport and fingerprints. You still need the arrival card for the manual counter if the e-gate fails.

Customs Declaration

Since 2023, China requires a Health Declaration for all arrivals. This is a separate form from the arrival card.

Two ways to complete it:

Digital (recommended): Scan the QR code at the immigration hall, open the "China Customs" mini-program in WeChat, fill in your details, and generate a QR code. Show this QR code at the customs counter.

Paper form: Available at the customs hall. Fill it out by hand.

What the declaration asks:

• Recent travel history (last 14 days)
• Any symptoms (fever, cough, etc.)
• Items you are carrying (cash, electronics, food, medicine)

For Japanese travelers:

• If you bring prescription medicine (especially for ADHD, painkillers, or mental health), check if it is allowed in China. Some Japanese medications are banned. Bring a doctor's note and the original packaging.
• If you bring cash over 5,000 RMB (about 100,000 JPY), you must declare it. Over 20,000 RMB (about 400,000 JPY) requires a bank certificate.

Red vs Green Channel

• Green Channel: No items to declare. Most tourists use this.
• Red Channel: You have items to declare (cash, electronics, large quantities of goods, restricted items).

What counts as "declare"?

• Cash over 5,000 RMB
• Laptops, cameras, or other electronics if you are bringing multiple units (one laptop and one camera is fine; three laptops looks like resale)
• Food, plants, seeds, or animal products (most are banned)
• Alcohol or tobacco over duty-free limits (1 liter of alcohol, 400 cigarettes)

What is banned entirely:

• Drugs (including some Japanese cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine)
• Fresh fruit, meat, dairy
• Plants, soil, seeds
• Counterfeit goods
• Political or religious materials that criticize the Chinese government

Step-by-Step Plan

Before landing: Fill out the arrival card. Keep your passport handy.

After landing: Follow signs to "Arrivals" or "Immigration." Do not stop for photos or phone calls.

At immigration: Hand over your passport and arrival card. Look at the camera. Place your fingerprints on the scanner (usually index fingers, both hands). Answer any questions briefly (purpose: tourism, hotel: name of hotel).

Collect luggage: Go to the baggage claim carousel for your flight.

Customs: Choose the Green Channel (no declaration) or Red Channel (declaration). Scan your customs QR code or hand over the paper form.

Exit: Once through customs, you are in the arrival hall. Look for your driver or the airport transfer sign.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the arrival card: Some travelers throw it away or leave it in the seat pocket. You can get a new one at immigration, but it adds time.
• Writing in kanji: Immigration officers in China read English. Write your name as it appears on your passport.
• Not declaring cash: If you have more than 5,000 RMB in cash and do not declare it, customs can confiscate the excess and fine you. This applies to Japanese yen too-convert to RMB equivalent.
• Bringing banned medicine: Japanese cold medicines like Pabron or EVE contain ingredients that are illegal in China (pseudoephedrine, codeine). Check the ingredients before packing.
• Using the wrong channel: If you have something to declare and use the Green Channel, you risk a fine. If you have nothing and use the Red Channel, you just waste time.

Recommended Booking / Planning Options

• Airport transfer: Book a private transfer through Trip.com or your hotel. Taxis at the airport can be confusing for first-timers, and the queue can be long. A pre-booked driver meets you at the arrival gate with a sign.
• eSIM: Set up an eSIM before you leave Japan. China blocks many foreign websites (Google, YouTube, Instagram). An eSIM with a VPN or a China-specific data plan (like from Trip.com or Airalo) keeps you connected. Do not rely on airport SIM kiosks-they can be slow and expensive.
• Hotel booking: Book your first night's hotel before you fly. The arrival card asks for a hotel address. If you don't have one, write "TBD" but expect questions.

FAQ

Q: Do Japanese citizens need a visa for China?

A: As of 2026, Japanese passport holders can enter China visa-free for stays up to 15 days for tourism, business, or transit. This policy is temporary and subject to change. Always check the Chinese embassy website in Tokyo before booking.

Q: Can I use the e-gate at Chinese airports?

A: Yes, at major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) if your passport has a chip. The e-gate reads your passport and fingerprints. You still need the arrival card for the manual counter if the e-gate fails.

Q: What happens if I lose the arrival card?

A: You can get a new one at the immigration hall. Look for the counter labeled "Arrival Card" or ask an officer. Do not panic-it happens often.

Q: Do I need to declare my laptop and camera?

A: Only if you are bringing multiple units. One laptop and one camera is fine. If you have three laptops, customs may assume you are reselling them. Declare them in the Red Channel.

Q: Can I bring Japanese snacks (rice crackers, candy) into China?

A: Yes, packaged snacks are fine. Fresh fruit, meat, or dairy are banned. Do not bring onigiri or bento boxes with raw fish or meat.

Q: How long does customs take?

A: Usually 10-20 minutes if you have no declaration and use the Green Channel. During peak hours (morning arrivals from Tokyo, evening arrivals from Osaka), it can take 30-40 minutes.

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