China’s embassies in multiple countries have announced that starting March 15, antigen tests will replace PCR tests. The embassies include

  • Chinese Embassy in Tanzania
  • Chinese Embassy in Nepal
  • Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Mongolia
  • Chinese Embassy in Vietnam
  • Chinese Embassy in Iran

I checked and the Chinese Embassy in the US has not announced a similar policy yet. But based on this trend, it will probably happen eventually, especially since the US has also just dropped its pre-departure COVID testing requirement for travelers from China to the US.

The specific antigen testing requirements are as follows:

  • Within 48 hours before boarding, travelers must either take a PCR test or use an antigen test kit for self-testing. Only those with a negative result may travel to China. Those with a positive result should wait until they test negative before traveling to China.
  • Customs declaration: After obtaining a negative test result, fill out and submit the Health Declaration Form of the People’s Republic of China for Exit/Entry through the WeChat mini program “Customs Passenger Fingertip Service,” the China Customs APP, or the web version (https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn).
  • Airlines no longer need to check negative pre-boarding PCR test certificates or antigen test results.
  • Onboard COVID precautions: Please continue wearing a mask during the flight and take personal protective measures to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Arrival quarantine and inspection: After arriving at the port of entry, complete the necessary customs clearance procedures using your customs health declaration QR code. Customs authorities will conduct random testing on a certain proportion of travelers, and will also test those with abnormal health declarations or symptoms such as fever. Travelers who test positive should isolate at home or at their place of residence, or seek medical treatment, according to the official instructions. Travelers who test negative will undergo routine quarantine inspection by customs in accordance with the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law and other applicable laws and regulations. Those with a normal health declaration and no issues during routine port-of-entry inspection may enter the community.
  • Local COVID rules: After entering China, travelers should strictly comply with all local epidemic prevention and control requirements.