JCC Posted February 10, 2016 Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hello esteemed colleagues. Need help with international travel - best routes through China/Viet Nam. My Problem: I have travelled from JFK to Hong Kong, then taken a car across the land border/ground customs to Shenzhen, but I always have trouble at that particular crossing. The last couple years, I've been stuck at customs at Shenzhen for a couple days. Last year, they wouldn't let me bring in any of my sound equipment. They said they were worried that I might be a journalist saying bad things about the govt. I'm not - it's a golf thing.... I had a good carnet and everything - they claim China is a Carnet country, but I'm not convinced... My current solution: Would like to try to fly into either Shanghai or Guangzouh - I'm thinking they might be better customs points and since it's air and not ground, perhaps I'll have better luck. People tell me that Shanghai is a relatively easy entry into customs, but of course I can find a good direct flight into and out of Guangzouh. My first question: Do any of you have any experience travelling gear into/through China? Do you know if it's any easier through Shanghai or Guangzouh? Also: I have a leg of the journey that has to go into/out of DaNang through Ho Chi Minh City. Anybody have any experience with VietNam Air? Trying to find the most hassel free routes. My current plan: JFK direct to Guangzouh, (work near Shenzhen) then Guangzough to Ho Chi Minh (VietNam air to DaNang - work near DaNang), then Ho Chi Minh to JFK. Any advice on this route? Or do you know good fixers in these places? Thanks! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted February 10, 2016 Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 You also need to download and fill out their customs form and leave a cash deposit (20% or the declared value). That was the case when I flew in there about a year and a half ago. We had a fixer and all our paper work in order and it still took us almost 3 hours to clear customs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCC Posted February 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 Thanks Jack, Do you have a contact for your fixer? What city did you land in? Was your entry via ground or air? Did you travel into the interior of the country via air? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted February 10, 2016 Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 We flew into Shanghai. A few days later we took an in country flight to Beijing then flew home from Beijing. Since we flew out of a different airport than the one we arrived into we had to forefit our deposit. Sorry I don't have the contact info for our fixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jabour Posted February 10, 2016 Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hey John, We had problems with Japan and not China, but this is the company we used to fix the problems we had (long story). I'd give you our direct contact, but they've left the company. http://www2.laufer.com/ Hope they are able to help you out. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCC Posted February 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 Woah. 25%. Not sure my client can handle that.... Where did you fly into and out of, Nick? Thanks you two! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 Its basically a bond. You get the money when you leave and they confirm that you have the same gear with you that you came in with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmfsnd Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 On 2/11/2016 at 9:55 AM, Jack Norflus said: Its basically a bond. You get the money when you leave and they confirm that you have the same gear with you that you came in with. *If they decide to give you the full amount back* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevo Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Last year flew in Shanghai, out ontoTokyo.... No problem Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghough Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 I live and work in Shanghai. I've never had problems getting stuff in or out or flying all around the country with my gear but that doesn't mean its all good. If you have any journalist visas in your passport that could cause you problems. For the most part, folks don't care about sound gear in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCC Posted February 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 That's good news, MGough. Thanks. Do you have an American Passport? The overland route from Hong Kong to Shenzhen wouldn't let me in with my audio gear- spent two days trying. I'm hoping Shanghai will be kinder to me. Do you know any good fixers in Shanghai? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jabour Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 Hi John The real story is we were introduced to the company trying to get our gear out of customs in Japan. A client how was handling the Carnet part of that job somehow didn't do their paperwork right and thus we went to the aid of a specialist to help us out of the mess. I personally haven't had the pleasure of working with them under the correct capacity yet, but the rep who worked with them on the Japan drama said they were real pros. Sorry for the delay in response, the office has been a mad house, I blame the warm weather in Boston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Green Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 John, I go to China often with the NBA. YES this years China Games 2015-16 were in Shenzhen (via Hong Kong) and Shanghai and yes we were detained, confiscated and after 2 1/2 days we got in with the gear -three crews and about 30 cases. The other cities no problem we have Carnets and when entering Beijing or Shanghai the customs officers just stare at the Carnet for a while and after calling several other people and checking serial #'s we get to pass but it always takes hours! Jack, the Carnet is the bond is what I understand. the 6 times I've traveled with NBA Entertainment we've always just had the Carnet, passport and visas. Now when traveling with the team charters..... its like you never came into the country. Of the 6 times over for the NBA China Games we flew twice with one of the teams. Had our Carnet stamped in the USA but no one ever stamped it in China. The US Customs told us as long as we didn't get the in stamp and didn't get the out stamp we were OK. If we would have gotten stamped going in and not going out then issue. This years big shoot was Jordan, Ming round table discussion in Shanghai. Pucker factor was high-lol My advice is work with the Carnet issuing company to gather as much intel. Have passport and Visas in order and never challenge them (it's their turf) and prepare to wait.......... forever (it seems like). Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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