Airport Departure Guide: Leaving China Step by Step

Quick Answer

The departure process at Chinese airports consists of six steps: check-in → customs declaration → security check → exit border inspection → health quarantine → boarding. The RMB cash limit is ¥20,000 per person; foreign currency up to $5,000 equivalent requires no declaration. The departure tax refund threshold is ¥200, with a refund rate of 11% or 8%. Arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight.

Departure Process

Step 1: Check-in

Present your original passport and ticket
Check in luggage and receive your boarding pass
International check-in counters typically open 3–4 hours before departure and close 40–60 minutes before

Step 2: Customs Declaration

China Customs uses a red-green channel system: no declaration → green channel; items to declare → red channel.

Under Customs Notice No. 43 of 2025 (effective April 1, 2025), the following must be declared: prohibited exit items, restricted items exceeding limits, goods/samples/advertising materials, and cash exceeding prescribed limits.

You can file an electronic declaration in advance via the WeChat or Alipay mini-program "Customs Passenger Service" (海关进出境人员指尖服务), or at npc.chinaport.gov.cn.

Step 3: Security Check

Carry-on luggage goes through X-ray
Power banks (≤100Wh) must be carried on, not checked in
Lighters, knives, and liquids over 100ml are prohibited in carry-on

Step 4: Exit Border Inspection

Under Article 27 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners exiting China must present their passport or other international travel documents to the exit-entry border inspection authority for examination.

Present your valid passport and valid visa or residence permit
No departure card is required — you do not fill out any form when leaving

Step 5: Health Quarantine

If you have fever or infectious disease symptoms, you may be subject to quarantine checks. Generally, no stop is needed.

Step 6: Boarding

After passing border inspection, you enter the international departure area with duty-free shops, dining, and lounges.

Cash Limits

RMB — ¥20,000 per person per trip; excess will not be released by customs
Foreign currency — Up to $5,000 equivalent: no declaration; $5,001–$10,000: requires a Foreign Currency Export Permit issued by a bank; over $10,000: not permitted in principle

Departure Tax Refund

Under State Taxation Administration Notice No. 11 of 2025 (effective April 26, 2025):

Minimum purchase — ¥200 (reduced from ¥500)
Refund rate — 11% for goods with 13% VAT rate; 8% for goods with 9% VAT rate
Cash refund limit — ¥20,000; excess via bank transfer
Net refund — Refund amount minus agency handling fee, approximately 9%

Refund process: request a tax refund form at the store → present passport + refund form + receipt + goods at the departure tax refund counter → choose cash or bank transfer.

Tax refund airports: Beijing Capital T3, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Xiamen Gaoqi, Shenzhen Bao'an, and more.

Duty-Free Shopping

Beijing Capital T2/T3, Shanghai Pudong T1/T2, Guangzhou Baiyun T2/T3 international departure areas
City-center duty-free shops launched in 2025 (first batch of 8 cities): buy in the city, pick up at the airport