Entry-exit wait times to be shortened for Chinese

Special channels to open; self-service devices to boost efficiency, convenience

Chinese citizens will be able to enter and leave ports and clear customs within 30 minutes starting June 18, the State Immigration Administration said on Thursday.

The administration said it was setting the service target to make entry and exit services more efficient and convenient.

"Some large airports and some land ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao receive a large number of passengers during weekends and holidays. Passengers often wait a long time to enter and leave the ports," said Qu Yunhai, deputy director of the State Immigration Administration.

People spend about an hour or more standing in line for entry, exit and customs clearances at some ports during peak times, the bureau found.

"It's really exciting news for regular travelers," said Zhang Yizhi, 32, who works for Amazon. "I have to travel from China to the United States a lot for work. It drives me nuts to stand in line for a very long time when I am already exhausted after flying for hours. This measure will bring greater convenience for people."

Larger ports of entry that might find it more difficult to meet the time target should open special channels for Chinese citizens to speed entry and exit procedures, the administration said.

China has 305 ports of entry for land, sea and air travelers, and 302 border inspection stations. Thirty-five of the ports average more than 5,000 passengers a day; 19 average over 10,000; and seven handle more than 50,000.

The administration said it will further promote electronic entry and exit certificates and accelerate the construction of self-service inbound and outbound customs clearance channels for Chinese citizens. "So far China has more than 1,170 self-service inbound and outbound customs clearance channels in 70 ports and will build a total of 1,700 by the end of this year to allow half the passengers to clear customs in a shorter time," said Shi Zhenping, chief of the Border Defense Administration.

The administration will also coordinate local governments to reconstruct and expand border inspection sites that restrict the efficiency of entry and exit and customs clearance, Shi added.

The administration said the system would be flexible and rational, and scientific methods would be used to make entry, exit and customs clearances more efficient for foreigners, too.

Chen Bin, an official with the administration, said the number of foreigners entering and leaving the country has remained relatively stable in recent years. The time for foreigners to enter and leave is no more than what they spend in other international ports, and they usually don't have the problem of standing in line for a long time, Chen said.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn