Before landing, you can fill the arrival health and goods declaration online via the "Customs Passenger Fingertip Service" mini-program, or use kiosks/paper forms after landing. Digital is faster — complete it within 24 hours before arrival, screenshot the QR code and scan it at clearance.
Currency declaration is often missed: RMB cash over ¥20,000 or foreign currency equivalent over USD 5,000 must be declared in writing to customs. Duty-free allowances include 400 cigarettes and 1.5L of alcohol (port rules apply).
The typical flow: disembark → health quarantine (show your health code if declared) → immigration (passport + visa/permit; fingerprints on first entry) → customs (declared or nothing-to-declare channel) → baggage → exit. Smooth trips take 15-30 minutes.
Tips: transit passengers with through-checked bags usually clear immigration once; rules apply equally when arriving via Hong Kong/Macau or a third country; honest declaration is a duty — hiding over-limit luxury goods invites fines or worse. When unsure, use the declaration channel and ask.
