Policy on 72-hour Visa-free Transit
China carries out Policy on 72-hour Visa-free Transit since January 1, 2013. According to the numbers of foreign tourists visiting Beijing or Shanghai from 2009 to 2011, there are 45 countries listed for 72-hour visa-free stay in China. The nationals from these 45 counties can enjoy the policy transiting China through Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). So called “Visa-free transit” is the policy that foreign visitor go to the third country or region through a country in line with the law of transit country, and there is no need applying for transit visa and foreign visitor can have a short stay in transit country.
First Trial in Beijing and Shanghai
Following the Law of China on the Control of the Exit and Entry carrying out in July 1, 2013, foreigner must have a Chinese visa before entering China. If foreign visitors go to the third county or region by international flight, ship, train transiting though China, they can stay in China with Chinese-Visa-free within 24 hours, but they can not leave the port, or stay in specific area. It is not doubt that the policy on 72-hour visa-free stay is good news not only for foreign visitors from these 45 countries, but for the related tourism industries of Beijing and Shanghai.
Benefit to Transit Visitors
After the policy of 72-hour visa-free stay in China carries out, it will attract more international visitors going to China. Transit visitors from listed 45 countries can benefit a lot from this new policy. They can learn ancient and modern Chinese culture in their short stay, visit the attractions like Summer Palace, Forbidden City, the magnificent Great Wall, the distinctive Courtyards and Hutongs in Beijing, or the Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden and Expo 2010 Shanghai site and so on in Shanghai.
China Customs Policy
(1), whether transit visitors leave customs surveillance zone or not, they are prohibited to take articles against the Chinese law;
(2), transit visitors must declare the articles required;
(3), if transit visitors leave the Customs surveillance zone, the luggage transit visitors take should be under the actual need, the articles include camera, minicam, portable camcorder and laptop for each, and approved other special private articles. Articles according to the regulation can get a green light, but transit visitors must take the original articles away when they depart China. If the value of any article is above CNY2, 000, customs will levy the import duty to that. Tobacco, liquor and other 20 varieties of non-tax-free articles are levied accordingly. For the articles out of regulation, they will be kept by Custom and visitors must take back them from the entry port under the surveillance.
China's Inspection and Quarantine Bureau's Regulations
(1), according to relative rules, transit visitors with 72-hour visa-free stay can not enjoy the inspection exemption. China's Inspection and Quarantine Bureau set special lanes and add more hi-tech equipments for transit visitors with 72-hour visa-free stay, and speed up the inspection of visitors.
(2), for companion pets, they will be detained temporarily to designated quarantine area, and Inspection and Quarantine will supervise transit visitors to depart China with the pets. If transit visitors accompany with guide dog, on the premise that they have valid official certificate of inspection and quarantine and vaccination, and the guide dogs are allowed.
(3), transit visitors come to China with prohibited articles, unless they apply to keep them temporary until their departure, Inspection and Quarantine Bureau will return or destroy them.
Enjoy a Visa-free Tour in China:
1 Day Great Wall & Summer Palace
1 Day Ancient Town of Wuzhen Tour
