Entering China as a New Zealand passport holder

Entry requirements for New Zealanders visiting China

China's entry rules have been changing faster in recent years than almost anywhere else New Zealanders commonly visit, and the consequences of getting them wrong — being turned back at the border — are serious. Entry and visa conditions change frequently, so always check the current position with the Chinese Embassy in Wellington and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Safetravel website before booking anything.

One important point to note before you read further: Hong Kong and Macau operate their own separate entry systems. The information below applies only to mainland China.

Visa-free entry and its conditions

China has been steadily relaxing its visa requirements, and New Zealand passport holders have benefited from these changes. However, visa-free arrangements come with specific conditions — on the purpose of your visit, the length of your stay and, in some cases, which nationalities' passports qualify — and those conditions can be altered or suspended at short notice. Read every requirement carefully before you rely on visa-free access. If you are unsure whether you meet all the conditions, apply for a standard visa instead; the cost and effort are far smaller than being denied boarding or turned back on arrival.

If a visa is required or preferred, make sure every supporting document is in order before you lodge the application. A single missing document is enough to have the application refused.

Arriving at the airport

The main international airports serving mainland China are in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. For New Zealanders, these are the most common points of arrival, though Chengdu, Kunming and several other cities now have direct or connecting services from Oceania as well.

At immigration, use the lanes marked for foreign passport holders. Citizens of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan use different lanes; this does not apply to New Zealand passports.

From 15 November 2025, you can complete a digital arrival card online before you fly rather than filling in a paper form on the plane. Once submitted, you receive a QR code to keep on your phone; an immigration officer may ask to see it. The paper card remains available if you prefer it or do not have access to a smartphone. Either way, have your onward travel details and accommodation address handy when you fill it in.

Registering your address with police

This step surprises many first-time visitors. All foreign nationals in China are required to register their accommodation address with the local public security bureau (police). If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel handles this automatically as part of the check-in process — you do not need to do anything extra. If you are staying with friends or family, you will most likely need to register in person at the local police station.

Registration matters more than it might seem. Failure to register — particularly in the first place you stay after entering China — can create problems if you ever apply for a Chinese visa in the future. If you are on a guided tour, your accommodation will be commercial and the registration will be taken care of, but it is worth confirming this with your guide on the first night.

Customs: what you can bring in

Each visitor aged 18 or over may bring in, free of duty:

• Up to 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages
• Up to 400 cigarettes, or 20 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco

Note that these allowances are halved if you enter mainland China via Hong Kong or Macau rather than flying directly into the mainland. For New Zealanders arriving on a through flight from Auckland, the full allowance normally applies, but if your itinerary routes you through Hong Kong with a land or rail border crossing into the mainland, the reduced allowance is what applies.

There is a duty-free relief threshold for other goods brought in for personal use. Goods above that threshold may attract customs duty. If you are bringing in gifts or shopping purchased overseas, factor this in.

Currency and financial declarations

China requires you to declare to customs if you are carrying more than ¥20,000 in Chinese yuan, or the equivalent of more than US$5,000 in foreign currency, in either direction across the border. New Zealanders carrying significant amounts of cash — whether New Zealand dollars, US dollars or other currencies — should be aware of this and declare if in doubt. Undeclaring is not worth the risk.

Most travellers manage perfectly well using a combination of international bank cards and mobile payment, but carrying some cash remains useful in smaller towns and markets. Plan your currency strategy before you leave New Zealand, because access to foreign exchange inside China is more limited than in many other destinations.

Before you book: a final word on checking requirements

Entry rules, visa-free access, permitted lengths of stay and arrival procedures in China have all shifted significantly in recent years and may shift again. The guidance above is based on information available at the time of writing and is not a substitute for current official advice. Check the Chinese Embassy website, MFAT's Safetravel service at safetravel.govt.nz, and your airline's transit requirements well in advance of travel — and check again closer to your departure date if you booked well ahead.