China’s railway operator has announced that it will end the use of paper train tickets following a one-year transition period. Starting October 1, 2025, passengers will only be able to obtain electronic invoices through the official 12306 website and mobile app, Shanghai Daily reports.
Travelers will have up to 180 days to request an e-invoice, either after completing a journey or after paying any cancellation or change fees. For foreign visitors, registration on the 12306 platform will be required, with services available in English.
The change affects reimbursement procedures but not the ticket purchase process itself. Chinese passengers will continue to use their national ID cards to board, while foreign passengers will use passports.
To assist those less comfortable with digital systems, railway stations will continue to provide printed Trip Information Reminders before departure. These contain key details such as train number, departure and arrival stations, seat allocation and boarding gate. However, they cannot be used for reimbursement purposes. The same travel information is also sent by SMS to the phone number linked to each booking.
China first launched a pilot program for paperless train tickets in 2018. By 2020, electronic tickets had been rolled out nationwide, with paper slips marked “for reimbursement only.” In November 2024, the system was expanded to include electronic invoices alongside paper receipts, paving the way for the full transition set for 2025.
