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Business Travel
in China
Visa: For Australian citizens to travel to China, a Chinese visa
needs to be obtained before embarking on the trip. A few different
types of visas are issued to visitors, including the tourist visa
(Type L) that allows the bearer one- to two entries to stay up to
one month each time. Consult the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General
on obtaining the right type of visa or apply through a travel.
Those who wish to work and stay in China for extended periods of
time need to apply for employment visa (Type Z), which allows multiple
entries into China and is valid for up to one year. The application
process is long and bothersome and requirements many, including
a complete physical check-up. Upon expiration, the Type Z visa can
be renewed with reasonable amount of effort & paperwork.
Trade Shows & Exhibitions: Participants can come into China
on tourist visas and travel in-country. Notebook computers, cameras,
portable printers, VCRs can be brought into China as personal belongings.
Business firms seeking to bring in exhibits and items for display
should consult with Customs authorities for regulation on the procedures
and to obtain copies of appropriate forms.
Temporary Entry: Goods imported in China for display or demonstration
at trade shows and exhibitions are exempt from Customs duty, provided
they are re-exported within three months. The exhibition organizer
must obtain advance approval from the Customs, provide certain shipping
documents and a list of items to be exhibited, and coordinate with
Customs officials. Customs may sometimes request a guarantee in
the form of a deposit or letter.
A local sponsor with authority to engage in foreign trade may sponsor
small exhibitions or technical seminars, requiring less than 500
square meters, without first seeking approval from MOFTEC. Customs
will handle the tariff exemption formalities based upon a guarantee
of re-export that is signed between the sponsor and the foreign
party.
Food and beverage exhibition "not-for-sale" sample-entry
rules are not clearly defined and appear capriciously applied. U.S.
exhibitors should contact the exhibition organizers to determine
their liabilities regarding sample entries for such events before
registering to participate, to obtain a clearer understanding of
exhibition-related expenses.
Some exhibits or samples imported under the temporary not-for-sale
regulations may be sold after the trade event is completed, in which
case the duties owed on these items are levied by the Customs.
Passenger Baggage: Reasonable quantities of items for personal
use by short-term visitors may be imported duty-free. Other items
such as cameras, televisions, stereo equipment, computers, and tape
recorders must be declared and may be assessed a duty depending
upon the item's value.
Advertising Materials and Trade Samples: Samples and advertising
materials are exempt from customs duty and VAT if the item's value
does not exceed RMB 200. Samples and advertising materials concerning
certain electronic products, however, are subject to customs duty
and VAT regardless of value.
Representative Offices: Resident offices must submit a written
application to Customs if they intend to import any personal effects
or vehicles. Approval by Customs waives any relevant import license
requirements and allows the office to import the equipment in reasonable
amounts for office-use only.
Overseas Assignment to China: expatriate managers who are assigned
to work in China need to apply for employment visas (see above).
On their first trip into China on the Z visa, they are entitled
to bring duty-free reasonable and personal- and household- use items
including the otherwise dutiable items such as VCR, PC, video cameras,
etc.
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