Doing Business in China For Dummies®

Navigating the Airport after You Land

Chinese airports tend to be very crowded. They can be confusing to foreign travelers, even though most signs are written in both English and Chinese. Some newer Chinese airports are very large, so pay attention to where you’re going and leave yourself adequate time to get to and from your gate.

Boarding and exiting a plane in China can be quite an experience. Don’t be surprised if you see people pushing their way through a crowd of people. The best advice is to just go with the flow. Note that airline personnel don’t call seating by rows or sections as they do in the United States. People just start boarding the plane all at once.

In this section, we explain what you have to take care of after you get off the plane.

Health and quarantine

You need to complete a health declaration form upon arrival in China. You get this form on the plane, and the Chinese collect this document from you.

Under the law, China reserves the right to health inspections on passengers who arrive or depart. Foreigners suffering from certain types of mental or infectious diseases aren’t allowed to enter China. And like most other countries, China doesn’t allow certain products, such as fruit, that may cause a health risk in China. Check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate if you have any specific questions.

Immigration

To pass through immigration, you need to complete the right paperwork, including an entry card for foreign visitors, which provides basic arrival ...