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China Travel - customs nightmares looking for advice


JCC

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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

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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.   

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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

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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.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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

Feb21-16 175.JPG

Feb21-16 176.JPG

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