# Landing in Beijing: Arrival Cards, Customs, Health Declarations & Border Questions

> A calm, step-by-step walkthrough of what happens between the plane door and the arrivals hall at Beijing Capital and Daxing airports — forms, fingerprinting, customs, and the questions officers may ask.

_Category: visa · Reading time: 6 min read_

Immigration in China is more paperwork-heavy than most Western travelers expect, but it is also orderly and fast if you know the sequence. After you land at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX), you'll pass through a health/entry declaration check, border control (where your passport is read, your photo and fingerprints are taken, and an officer may ask a few questions), baggage claim, and finally a customs channel. Almost everything is now done digitally or automatically, and many nationalities can enter visa-free or use 240-hour two-stop transit — but rules change often, so verify your eligibility before you fly [verify before travel].

## Before You Land: Forms and Declarations

China no longer distributes paper arrival cards on most flights; instead, you complete a digital entry/health declaration, typically via the official China Customs mobile app or a QR code shown in the cabin and the jet bridge. Some airlines still hand out paper versions, so fill in whatever your crew provides. Complete it within a day or two of departure, screenshot the confirmation QR code, and keep it on your phone — offline screenshots matter because airport Wi-Fi can be slow. You'll also want your onward ticket, first-night hotel address, and visa (if applicable) easily accessible.

- **Digital declaration QR code** — Complete via the China Customs app or passenger declaration system before or right after boarding; screenshot the QR result [verify before travel].
- **Hotel address in Chinese** — Have your first night's accommodation name and address ready — border officers and taxi drivers both need it. Ask your hotel for the Chinese characters by email in advance.
- **Onward travel proof** — If entering visa-free or on a transit policy, carry a printed or offline copy of your onward ticket out of mainland China [verify before travel].
- **Pen in hand luggage** — Occasionally paper forms are still used during system updates or for certain flights — a pen saves you queuing.

## Border Control: Fingerprints, Photos, and Questions

At the immigration hall, follow signs for 'Foreigners' (Chinese citizens use separate automated lanes). First-time visitors usually cannot use e-gates: you'll queue for a manned booth, where an officer scans your passport, takes your photo and all ten fingerprints (skippable for young children and some older travelers), and may ask brief questions. Stay calm and answer directly; officers generally speak functional English, and pointing at printed confirmations works well. After stamping you in, you'll collect bags and pass customs — usually the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel, though random X-ray checks of luggage do happen.

- **"What is the purpose of your visit?"** — Answer simply: 'tourism', 'business meetings', or 'transit to [city]'. Keep it short and consistent with your visa or entry policy.
- **"How long will you stay and where?"** — Know your departure date and your first hotel's name. A printed itinerary removes all doubt.
- **"When do you leave China?"** — Have your onward flight details handy — this is the key check for visa-free and 240-hour transit entries [verify before travel].
- **"Is this your first visit to China?"** — A yes-or-no question. First-timers get fingerprinted; repeat visitors with stored biometrics may move faster [verify before travel].
- **Money and goods** — You must declare cash over roughly CNY 20,000 or USD 5,000 equivalent, and goods over your duty-free allowance [verify before travel].

## Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Arrival Flow

Capital's Terminal 3 is the classic arrival point for most international carriers. The walk from gate to immigration is long but well signed in English. Expect 30–60 minutes at border control in normal conditions, longer at peak arrival waves in the evening.

- Metro: Airport Express train to Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen; confirm current line and fare before travel [verify before travel]
- Opening hours: Immigration operates around the clock with all international arrivals [verify before travel]
- Tickets: Airport Express roughly CNY 25 (~USD 3.50); taxis to the city center commonly CNY 100–150 (~USD 14–21) [verify before travel]
- How long: Allow 60–90 minutes from landing to curbside

## Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) Arrival Flow

Daxing handles a growing share of international flights and is strikingly modern — a giant starfish-shaped terminal. Immigration queues are often shorter than at Capital, but the airport is farther out, so budget extra time for the ride into town.

- Metro: Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao, with onward metro transfers; confirm current line and station names [verify before travel]
- Opening hours: Open for all scheduled arrivals; check your specific flight's terminal [verify before travel]
- Tickets: Airport Express roughly CNY 35 (~USD 5); taxis to central Beijing commonly CNY 150–220 (~USD 21–31) [verify before travel]
- How long: Allow 60–90 minutes from landing to curbside

## Customs & the Green Channel

After baggage claim you walk through a customs corridor. Choose the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel if you have only personal items; choose red if you're carrying cash above the limit, business merchandise, drones, or large quantities of medicine. E-cigarettes, fresh fruit, meat products, and seeds are prohibited or restricted. Prescription medicine should stay in original packaging with a copy of the prescription, especially anything containing controlled substances.

- Metro: Not applicable — customs is inside each terminal after baggage claim
- Opening hours: Staffed whenever international flights arrive [verify before travel]
- Tickets: Free; fines apply only for failing to declare restricted items [verify before travel]
- How long: Usually 5–15 minutes unless your bags are selected for inspection

## Related Beijing guides

If you found this useful, these cover the next question most visitors ask:

- **Visas & Entry** — /guides/bringing-prescription-meds-into-china/
- **Payments** — /guides/chinese-airline-apps-foreign-cards-workarounds/

## Practical Tips for a Smooth Entry

- **Set up payment and connectivity before you land** — Install a payment app that accepts foreign cards and arrange an eSIM or roaming so you can show documents offline; getting set up inside the airport is possible but slow [verify before travel].
- **Keep everything in one folder** — Passport, hotel confirmation, onward ticket, visa or transit eligibility, and declaration QR — one screenshots folder on your phone saves repeated fumbling.
- **Expect finger-by-fingerprint instructions** — Ten flat scans, one hand at a time. Follow the officer's gestures; this is routine, not a red flag.
- **Don't joke at the booth** — Border humor falls flat. Neutral, brief, truthful answers keep the line moving for everyone.
- **Check visa-free and transit rules yourself** — Entry policies are updated regularly and vary by nationality and port of entry. Confirm current rules with official Chinese government sources or your airline before booking [verify before travel].
- **Register your accommodation properly** — Every foreign guest must be registered with local police — hotels do this automatically. If you stay in private housing, your host must register you within 24 hours [verify before travel].

## Where to stay

**KOULING Ruiyue Hotel** — 5m from Guogongzhuang Metro Station · 9.6/10 · US$26  
View hotel: https://12001.net/hotels/ruiyue/

KOULING's Ruiyue hotel sends every arriving guest a pre-arrival email with the hotel's full Chinese address, a screenshot-ready map, and a driver meeting-point guide for both PEK and PKX — exactly what you'll need to show at the border booth and hand to a taxi driver. The front desk is staffed 24 hours and can register your stay the moment you arrive, no matter how late your flight lands.

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Source: https://12001.net/guides/beijing-arrival-customs-border-questions/  
© KOULING Hotels