Pre-Trip Planning
Custom Regulations
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Information concerning regulations
and procedures governing items that may be brought into China
is available through the Chinese Embassies and consulates in
the world. Students may bring into China only a limited number
of items which are considered necessary for study and daily
life. Some foreign citizens residing in China have been required
to pay customs duty on certain high value items when they depart
China, if procedures were not followed when the items were originally
brought into China. Additional information concerning Chinese
customs regulations is contained in the Department of State
brochure, "Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic
of China," which is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20420. |
| Entry |
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Valid visas are required, and those who arrive in China without
a visa may be fined at the port of entry and may not be allowed
to enter China. The Chinese government does not permit foreigners
to visit some areas of China. Reconfirmation of departure reservations
is essential. Travelers have been stranded when outgoing flights
are overbooked and reservations have not been reconfirmed. For
information about entry requirements and restricted areas, travelers
may consult the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. For
more information regarding visas, contact the Visa Section of
the Embassy of the People's Republic of China at (202) 328-2517
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. |
| Exit |
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On departure, travelers must fill in Exit Registration Cards
and have their passports and visas checked.
Articles registered on the Customs Luggage Declaration Form
should all be brought out of China. If any item is missing,
a certificate by the relevant department is required (for instance,
a certificate from the police is required if something has been
stolen); otherwise, the traveler must pay import duty according
to the Customs regulations. |
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Visitors who want to change CNY (Chinese Yuan) back to foreign
currency at the airport before leaving China will be required
to show the exchange slip provided when they exchanged foreign
currency into CNY on arrival or at banks. |
| Health
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The best prevention from
disease is to ensure maximum hygiene while travelling, especially
in restaurants and roadside snack bars. Never eat raw,
uncooked, or partially cooked food, including salads outside
of top -end hotels. Animal or human excrement is still frequently
used as fertilizer, so that bacteria on uncooked vegetables
may be ingested. Also suggested if travelling outside of a
tour group: acquire chopsticks and a tin bowl with lid for
train journeys and meals in small roadside restaurants. Drink
only boiled or bottled water, even though the tap water is
drinkable in some places and hotels. The adjustment to different
climate and different food frequently leads to cold or digestive
problems that, although rarely serious, may impede one's enjoyment.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required from all travellers if arriving from infected areas.
Malaria risk exists throughout the country
below 1500m except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia,
Gansu, Beijing, Shanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang(except
in the Yili River Valley) and Tibet ( Xizang, except in the
Zangbo River Valley in the extreme southeast). North of 33N,
the risk lasts from July to November, between 33N and 25N
from May to December, and south of 25N throughout the year.
The disease occurs primarily in the benign vivax form but
the malignant falciparum form is also present and has been
reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Rabies is present, although the Goverment
policy which bans dogs and cats from main cities makes this
less of a risk in these areas. For those at high risk, vaccination
before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek
medical advice without delay.
Bilharzia ( schistosomiasis) is present
in the central Yangtze river basin. Avoid swimming and padding
in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well-chlorinated and
maintained are safe. There is some risk of plague. Hepatitis
E is prevalent in western China. Hepatitis B is highly endemic.
Precautions should be taken agaist Japanese
encephalitis.
Tours to Tibet, the northwest, or the tropical
province of Yunnan make particularly high demands on the health.
Heart disease and high blood pressure can lead to serious
problems in Tibet because of the high altitude. Along the
Silk Road, expect high temperatures and dry conditions.
Medical costs are low. Many medicines common
to Western countries are unavaiable in China. The hospital
system is excellent. There are many traditional forms of medicine
still used in China, the most notable being acupuncture. Medical
insurance is advised. |
| Insurance |
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Personal accident insurance can be applied
for by members of foreign embassies, representative offices
of foreign business firms, resident offices of foreign newspapers
and news agencies, and other institutions, as well as foreign
visitors and tourists, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and
Taiwan coming to visit their relatives on the mainland and
overseas Chinese. In addition, travel agencies can take the
responsibility of tourist insurance. The People's Insurance
Company of China is responsible for the insurance business.
Insurance:
1. The limit of total compensation is CNY300,000.00.
2. The maximum limit of compensation for each individual item
is:
1) The compensation for the casualty of traveler is CNY180,000.00/p.p.
2) The compensation for the medical expenses of the traveler
is CNY12,000.00/p.p.
3) The compensation for the cost to send the remains or ashes
of the traveler to his country is CNY15,000.00/p.p.
4) The compensation for the loss or damage of the belongings
brought by the traveler is CNY4,500.00/p.p.
5) The compensation for the responsibility of the third party
is CNY88,500.00/p.p.
3.The time limit of insurance is within 20 days from the time
the traveler comes to China.
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| Visa
and Passports |
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Traveling in China requires a visa. If
you are a part of a group, the tour operator will often obtain
it; group visas will usually be issued for groups with at
least 10, and the guide accompanying your group will keep
the visas. An Individual traveler can apply for one at any
Chinese embassy, and the procedure is usually straightforward,
taking about a week. The duration depends upon current regulations
and also upon your own country's regulation for citizens visiting
China. Tourist visas are usually good for two months, but
can be extended for an extra month at the Foreigners Section
of the Public Security Bureau. Passports must be valid for
at least six months before you travel to China.
You will need to send in two 2X2 pictures
along with the application form and appropriate fees to your
nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
If you are attending a trade show or traveling
on business and need a formal invitation letter to apply for
a Chinese visa, you will need to fill out the Formal Invitation
Application Form. |
| Major
Chinese Embassies and Consulates around the World |
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Country Address
Australia 14 Federal Highway,
Watson, Canberra, A. C. T. 2602
Tel: 412448
Austria 1030 Wien Vienna,
Metternichgasse 4
Tel: 753149
Belgium 19 Boulevard General Jacques,
1050 Brussels
Tel: 6482886, 6496773
Canada 415 St. Andrew St.,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIN5H3
Tel: 2342706
Consulate-General of the PRC,
Town Inn Hotel, 620 Church Street,
Toronto, M4Y 2G2
Tel: (416) 9647575, 9647260
Consulate-General of the PRC,
3380 Granville, B.C. V6H 3K3
Tel: (604) 7363910
Denmark Oregards Alle 25,
2900 Hellerup, Copenhagen
Tel: (01) 625806
France 11 Avenue George V,
Paris, 8 EME, France
Tel: 7367790
Federal Republic Kurfuerstenallee 12,
of Germany 5300 Bonn-BAD Godesberg
Tel: 361095, 96, 97
Italy 56 Via Bruxelles,
00198 Roma
Tel: 8448186
Japan 4-33, Moto-Azabu 3-chome,
Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Tel: 4037955, 4033383
Mexico Av. Rio Magdalena 172,
Colonia: Villa Alvaro Obregon,
Mexico 20, D.F., Mexico
Tel: 5482821
Netherlands Adriaan Goekooplaan 7,
The Hague
Tel: 547516
New Zealand 2-6 Glenmore Street,
Wellington
Tel: 721383
Norway Tuengen Alle 2B,
Vinderen, Oslo 3
Tel: 110053
Spain C/Arturo, Soria No. 111-113,
Madrid-33
Tel: (91) 4152031
Switzerland Kalcheggweg 10,
3006 Berne
Tel: (031) 447333
Sweden Bragevägen No. 4,
114 26 Stockholm
Tel: 217539
United Kingdom 31 Portland Place,
London WIN3AG
Tel: 6365637
United States 2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 328 2517
Consulate-General of the PRC,
3417 Montrose Blvd.,
Houston, TX 77006
Tel: (713) 524 4311
Consulate-General of the PRC,
520, 12th Avenue,
New York, N.Y. 10036
Tel: (202) 330 7409
Consulate-General of the PRC,
1450 Laguna St.
San Francisco CA 94115
Tel: (415)563 9232
Consulate-General of the PRC,
104 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 900
Chicago,IL 60603
Tel: (312) 803 0097
Consulate-General of the PRC,
443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Tel: (213) 380 2506 |
| What
may not be taken to China |
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1. Arms, imitation arms, ammunition and explosives
of all kinds;
2. Counterfeit currency and counterfeit negotiable securities;
3. Printed matter, films, photos, gramophone records, cinematographic
films, loaded recording tapes and video-tapes, compact discs
(video & audio), storage media for computers and other articles
which are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and
moral interests of China;
4. Deadly poisons of all kinds;
5. Opium, morphine, heroin, marihuana and other addiction inducing
or hallucinatory drugs;
6. Animals, plants and products made thereof infected with or
carrying diseases, insect pests and other harmful organisms;
7. Foodstuffs, medicines and other articles coming from epidemic-stricken
areas and harmful to humans and livestock, or those capable
of spreading diseases. |
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