Backgroud: The elimination of malaria requires high-quality surveillance data in order to detect and respond quickly to individual cases. In the 1960s and 1970s, Handan city experienced widespread malaria outbreaks, which was in line with the provincial and national epidemic patterns. Methods: Case-level data for the period 2011-2018 were extracted from China's National Infectious Diseases Information system and the rest cases were recorded municipal surveillance system from 1956-2010. Results: The incidence, accuracy and timeliness of case diagnosis, reporting and investigation in malaria were evaluated at elimination stage (2011-2018) in Handan city, China. From 2011 to 2018, 81 malaria cases were reported in Handan city, all of which were imported from abroad. The annual average incidence decreased to 0.11/100 000 in the elimination stage, while all malaria cases were male. Since the initiation of the National Malaria Elimination Programme in 2010, malaria cases were consistent with the increase in overseas export channels and personnel of labor services. Conclusions: The case-based malaria surveillance system in Handan worked well at the malaria elimination stage. This ensured that malaria cases could be diagnosed, reported and timely investigated at local level.