Starting October 1, 2025, China will stop issuing paper flight itineraries for domestic air travel.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), together with the State Taxation Administration and the Ministry of Finance, made the joint decision to move to exclusively electronic itineraries and digitally certified e-invoices for civil aviation.
A transitional period that began on December 1, 2024 allowed both paper and electronic documents to coexist; that period ends September 30, 2025.
From October 1 onward, only digital itineraries and e-invoices will be recognized for domestic flights.
This change applies to domestic airlines, travel agencies, and related service providers.
Passengers must obtain, query, and verify their travel documents electronically via airline apps, official websites, check-in counters, or other digital channels that airlines and agencies post publicly.
The CAAC expects clear notices and guidance at points of sale and check-in so travelers know how to access and validate their itineraries.
Why the government is moving paperless
The shift is driven by several practical and policy objectives:
- Environmental impact: eliminating printed itineraries reduces paper consumption across millions of trips, helping national green targets.
- Administrative efficiency: digital itineraries link directly with tax and accounting systems through e-invoices, simplifying reimbursement and audit trails for businesses and individuals.
- Passenger convenience: instant delivery, easier retrieval, and unified verification methods in apps and websites reduce queuing and loss of documents.
- Modernization of services: aligning aviation and railway systems with broader national digitalization and tax-e-invoicing policy initiatives.
Adoption is already strong: as of August 2025, more than 40 million electronic itineraries had been issued, representing roughly 43% of all travel documents—evidence that travelers and providers are rapidly embracing the new system.
How this affects air travelers
Before travel
- Booking: When you buy a domestic ticket online, the booking confirmation and itinerary will be available as an electronic itinerary and/or a digitally certified e-invoice. Airlines will offer clear instructions for retrieving and verifying these documents.
- Business travel: Companies that require hard-copy receipts for expense claims must update internal policies to accept e-invoices and electronic itineraries that comply with tax authority standards.
- Special needs and exceptions: During the transitional period (ended September 30, 2025) paper could be requested; after that date, airlines will no longer print flight itineraries. Some airports or airlines may continue to provide printed “travel information prompt sheets” or other non-official printouts for passenger comfort, but these will not replace certified electronic documents for tax or reimbursement purposes.
At the airport
- Check-in: Present your ID and the electronic itinerary (via app, email, or QR code). Staff may guide you to query and verify the itinerary using airline systems or government verification portals.
- Verification: Airlines and ground staff can verify the authenticity of an itinerary through digital verification systems; passengers should be prepared to show a QR code, an email link, or open the airline app.
- Lost connectivity: If you cannot access your itinerary due to lack of mobile data or phone issues, airlines usually offer alternative verification options at check-in counters; it’s still advisable to screenshot or save the electronic itinerary to your device or email before arrival.
How this affects train travelers
China’s railways follow a similar timetable.
From October 1, 2025, paper reimbursement vouchers for train tickets will be phased out.
Instead:
- Electronic invoices will replace paper vouchers.
- Passengers may request invoices within 180 days of travel or after ticket modification/refunds via the 12306 platform, ticket windows, or self-service kiosks.
- For journeys before September 30, 2025, paper vouchers can still be issued on request; after that date, digital notifications via SMS or the 12306 app will inform travelers of their trip details.
- For passengers who still want a physical reminder, stations will provide “Travel Information Prompt Sheets” printable at kiosks, but these are not tax-certified invoices unless specifically issued as such.
Practical steps for travelers and employers
For individual travelers
- Save or screenshot: Always save a copy of your electronic itinerary and e-invoice to your email or cloud storage. Screenshots of QR codes or PDF copies are helpful backups.
- Familiarize yourself with apps: Install and register on airline apps and the 12306 railway app. Enable SMS or email notifications so you receive electronic documents automatically.
- Know retrieval windows: Train passengers can request e-invoices within 180 days of travel or ticket change; check each airline’s retrieval policy for timing and access.
- Print if needed for memory: If you prefer a physical copy for comfort, print a “Travel Information Prompt Sheet” or screenshot, but use the certified e-invoice for reimbursements.
For businesses and HR departments
- Update expense policies: Accept e-invoices and electronic itineraries as valid proofs for business travel. Train finance teams to validate tax-certified e-invoices.
- Train staff: Teach employees how to retrieve, verify, and submit electronic invoices and itineraries for reimbursement.
- Accounting integration: Connect corporate expense systems to e-invoice verification APIs or require employees to submit tax-certified e-invoices in standard formats.
Verification and fraud prevention
Electronic itineraries and e-invoices are digitally certified and linked to tax systems to reduce fraud.
Airlines and 12306 integrate verification tools:
- QR code verification: Documents carry QR codes that, when scanned, reveal the official record.
- Government portals: Tax and transport authorities provide verification portals to confirm authenticity.
- Digital signatures: E-invoices are issued with secure, traceable metadata aligned with State Taxation Administration standards.
Passengers should only accept itineraries and invoices from official airline channels, travel agents with verified accreditation, the 12306 platform, or authorized service desks.
If in doubt, verify using the airline’s published verification method or the State Taxation Administration guidance.
Exceptions, accessibility, and inclusivity measures
The authorities recognize that not everyone is fully digital-ready.
To address this:
- Transitional measures: During rollout, dual acceptance and kiosk printouts were provided; after the transition, stations and airlines still offer printable prompt sheets for reference.
- Onsite assistance: Check-in counters and ticket windows will continue to help passengers who cannot access digital documents.
- Special groups: Elderly passengers, people without smartphones, or those with disabilities can request in-person support and printed guidance at stations and counters. Employers and travel agents should proactively assist travelers who need help obtaining electronic documents.
Environmental and administrative impact
Moving to fully electronic itineraries and e-invoices reduces paper waste and streamlines record-keeping for enterprises and tax authorities.
Benefits include:
- Fewer printed receipts and vouchers across millions of journeys.
- Faster reimbursement processes for companies via electronic submission and validation.
- Lower administrative costs for airlines and railways through automated issuance and storage.
- Consolidation of travel records in digital archives that facilitate audits and expense reconciliation.
Comparison: Paper versus Electronic travel documents
| Feature | Paper Itinerary / Voucher | Electronic Itinerary / E-invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance | Printer at counter, travel agency forms | App, email, SMS, official portals |
| Verification | Manual inspection | QR code, online verification, tax-authority linkage |
| Environmental impact | High paper use | Reduced paper, eco-friendly |
| Storage | Physical filing | Cloud, email, long-term access |
| Reimbursement | Manual submission | Digital submission, faster processing |
| Accessibility | Requires carrying paper | Accessible on multiple devices, retrievable |
Sources: official CAAC announcements, State Taxation Administration guidance, China Railway 12306 platform.
What travel agencies and airlines must do
Airlines and travel agencies must:
- Clearly display instructions for obtaining, querying, and verifying electronic itineraries at check-in counters, on official websites, and within mobile apps.
- Ensure staff are trained to assist passengers in retrieving electronic documents and to handle exceptions where passengers cannot access digital records.
- Maintain secure issuance systems that comply with tax-authority standards for e-invoices and maintain audit trails.
Travel agencies should update booking confirmation templates, customer service scripts, and FAQ pages to reflect the paperless policy and provide step-by-step retrieval guidance.
Common traveler questions answered
Q: Can I still get a printed receipt for my company?
A: After September 30, 2025, tax-certified paper itineraries will no longer be issued for domestic flights. Companies must accept e-invoices and electronic itineraries. For internal or psychological comfort, airlines may allow non-certified printouts, but these are not tax documents.
Q: What if my phone dies at the airport?
A: Airlines and airports will offer alternate verification methods at check-in counters. It’s wise to email the itinerary to yourself, save a PDF to your phone, or print a prompt sheet beforehand if you anticipate connectivity issues.
Q: How long can I request a train e-invoice?
Train e-invoices can be requested within 180 days of the trip or ticket modification/refund through the 12306 platform, ticket windows, or kiosks.
Next steps for stakeholders
- Travelers: Update habits—store electronic itineraries, enable notifications, and learn verification steps.
- Employers: Update reimbursement policies and train finance staff to accept and process e-invoices.
- Airlines and rail operators: Continue customer education, maintain accessible verification workflows, and provide in-person support.
Final thoughts
China’s move to end paper itineraries for domestic flights and phase out paper railway vouchers marks a major step toward a more efficient, greener, and digitally integrated travel ecosystem.
The change requires small adaptations from travelers and significant operational updates from businesses and transport providers, but it offers faster reimbursements, lower environmental impact, and stronger fraud prevention once fully implemented.
By October 1, 2025, carrying a printed flight itinerary will become a travel habit of the past—while the digital record becomes the new, verifiable standard.
Sources and external links
- Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC): https://www.caac.gov.cn
- State Taxation Administration of the People’s Republic of China: https://www.chinatax.gov.cn
- China Railway 12306 platform: https://www.12306.cn
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