Forms - Upon entering and leaving China
Bring a pen.
You will need the following things in your passport case/holder/handbag, so please get these ready to save you the hassle while on board:
1. My address
I won't be disclosing it here online, but it's in the email I sent, print it out. Don't attempt to save it in your mobile device or whatever funky gadgets you may have. Some air hostesses doesn't care if your device is wireless or non-wireless. All they care about is protocol. Just print it out.
2. A pen
Yes, a pen! To fill up entry/exit forms. You'll be filling forms for as long as you're on a plane, so, enjoy! Scroll down to see the forms you are expected to fill. H1N1 may be 'over' in some sense, but you may just be required to fill it in again, who knows.
1. My address
I won't be disclosing it here online, but it's in the email I sent, print it out. Don't attempt to save it in your mobile device or whatever funky gadgets you may have. Some air hostesses doesn't care if your device is wireless or non-wireless. All they care about is protocol. Just print it out.
2. A pen
Yes, a pen! To fill up entry/exit forms. You'll be filling forms for as long as you're on a plane, so, enjoy! Scroll down to see the forms you are expected to fill. H1N1 may be 'over' in some sense, but you may just be required to fill it in again, who knows.
Three Forms
A. Health Declaration Form on Entry/Exit
B. Arrival Card, which is attached to:
C. Departure Card
Note: Please click on images for a better, clearer view!
A: Health Declaration Form on Entry/Exit
So. In case you have to fill this up, fill it away! It's double-sided, English and Chinese. Of course, select the English one...
In case this form is still in play:
When you arrive in Beijing's Terminal 3 Airport, you will need to hand over this form to some cops as you walk toward the customs zone. So yes, just pass this form to the people in uniform and keep walking.
In case this form is still in play:
When you arrive in Beijing's Terminal 3 Airport, you will need to hand over this form to some cops as you walk toward the customs zone. So yes, just pass this form to the people in uniform and keep walking.
Arrival/Departure Card
General Intro: Arrival/Departure Card
Only valid/applicable for foreigners i.e. you.
When you're still flying, fill in the Arrival Card and keep the Departure Card in your carry case.
Note: Both cards don't come with any form of serial number, so it doesn't matter if you lose the departure card...
Both cards come in one-piece, i.e. it's connected (dot dot dot) because they want to make sure that you leave the country upon entry *wink*. So there. Just tear it up!
What else? Oh.
When you get off the plane, on your long, long, long way to the customs, there will be an area where you can get these cards, fill it up and line up and exit.
Note: Pens are provided at these 'fill-up forms zone' which is next to the customs but it's usually all taken up by other passengers. So I highly recommend that you:
1) Bring your own pen!
2) Request these forms from your air hostess and fill it up in the airplane so you can get out of the customs asap. I mean, who likes lining up at customs anyway?
When you're still flying, fill in the Arrival Card and keep the Departure Card in your carry case.
Note: Both cards don't come with any form of serial number, so it doesn't matter if you lose the departure card...
Both cards come in one-piece, i.e. it's connected (dot dot dot) because they want to make sure that you leave the country upon entry *wink*. So there. Just tear it up!
What else? Oh.
When you get off the plane, on your long, long, long way to the customs, there will be an area where you can get these cards, fill it up and line up and exit.
Note: Pens are provided at these 'fill-up forms zone' which is next to the customs but it's usually all taken up by other passengers. So I highly recommend that you:
1) Bring your own pen!
2) Request these forms from your air hostess and fill it up in the airplane so you can get out of the customs asap. I mean, who likes lining up at customs anyway?
B. Arrival Card
Applies on both international and domestic flights
Whether you're on an international or a domestic flight, you need to fill this in and hand it to the customs along with your passport upon getting customs clearance. Yes, it's a pain for foreigners to travel even on domestic flights in China!
What to expect - on the plane en route to China:
Depending on how lazy the air hostesses can get, some tend to fly by the aisles and not wake you up and hand it to you. Because they are lazy to 'realize' that you are not Chinese despite looking like a Chinese.
Anyway, so once you are forced to wake-up from slumber by the pilot, remember to ask for these documents from the air hostess.
Note: I've never sat on a plane that doesn't hand these cards out to you. If they don't have it, I suggest:
1) Don't ever take that carrier again, they are simply incompetent. Potential candidate: Air Asia.
2) Just fill it up at the area that's next to the customs clearance. It's there... again, mind me: bring your own pen!
Whether you're on an international or a domestic flight, you need to fill this in and hand it to the customs along with your passport upon getting customs clearance. Yes, it's a pain for foreigners to travel even on domestic flights in China!
What to expect - on the plane en route to China:
Depending on how lazy the air hostesses can get, some tend to fly by the aisles and not wake you up and hand it to you. Because they are lazy to 'realize' that you are not Chinese despite looking like a Chinese.
Anyway, so once you are forced to wake-up from slumber by the pilot, remember to ask for these documents from the air hostess.
Note: I've never sat on a plane that doesn't hand these cards out to you. If they don't have it, I suggest:
1) Don't ever take that carrier again, they are simply incompetent. Potential candidate: Air Asia.
2) Just fill it up at the area that's next to the customs clearance. It's there... again, mind me: bring your own pen!
C. Departure Card
Departure Card:
Whenever you attempt to check-in and obtain your boarding pass, it doesn't matter if you're leaving a Chinese city for another Chinese city, or leaving a Chinese city bound for overseas; you have to fill-in this card.
You must hand it over to the ticket-counter as you check-in. And you will never see it again.
Whenever you attempt to check-in and obtain your boarding pass, it doesn't matter if you're leaving a Chinese city for another Chinese city, or leaving a Chinese city bound for overseas; you have to fill-in this card.
You must hand it over to the ticket-counter as you check-in. And you will never see it again.
End Note
So let me summarize the number of times you have to fill-in these cards:
There you go! Hope you enjoy... and good luck with the other form (the Health Declaration Form), I hope it's no longer necessary!!!
- Arriving in China - Arrival Card, hand to customs upon getting clearance
- Depart Beijing for Qiqihar - Departure Card, hand to customs when checking-in
- Arriving in Qiqihar - Arrival Card, you know the drill
- Departing Qiqihar for Beijing - Departure Card, hand to customs, you know the drill
- Arriving in Beijing - Arrival Card, you know the drill
- Leaving China - Departure Card, you know the drill
There you go! Hope you enjoy... and good luck with the other form (the Health Declaration Form), I hope it's no longer necessary!!!
