Notice on Further Regulating Foreign Tourists Traveling to China with Self-Provided Transport

Overview

On August 18, 2015, the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局), and the General Staff Headquarters (总参谋部) jointly issued the document "Notice on Further Regulating Foreign Tourists Traveling to China with Self-Provided Transport" (关于进一步规范外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游有关监管工作的通知, Document No. [2015] 677). This notice outlines regulations to streamline the procedures for foreign tourists using self-provided vehicles to travel within China. The notice became effective on October 1, 2015, and replaced the previous guidelines issued in 1986 (Notice No. [86] Public Notice 27).

Key Points

The following major changes were introduced in the notice:

• Elimination of the Requirement for Proof Documents: The Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局), and other provincial-level authorities will no longer issue special certificates for foreign tourists traveling with their own vehicles.

• No Additional Paperwork Required: Travel agencies and other related departments will no longer need to provide documents issued by the police or tourism authorities when assisting foreign tourists with the necessary formalities.

• Termination of Previous Guidelines: The earlier regulations, particularly those outlined in the 1986 notice, are now abolished. This decision aims to reduce bureaucracy and simplify the process for international travelers.

Detailed Information

• Issuing Authorities: Ministry of Public Security (公安部), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), General Administration of Customs (海关总署), China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局), and General Staff Headquarters (总参谋部).

• Document Number: Public Security Document [2015] 677

• Date of Issuance: August 18, 2015

• Effective Date: October 1, 2015

• Repealed Document: The earlier regulations set forth in the joint notice issued on September 16, 1986, by the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the General Staff Headquarters (总参谋部), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), and the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局) (Document No. [86] Public Notice 27) are now null and void.

Introduction

In order to ensure the safe regulation of foreign tourists traveling to China with their own vehicles and promote the healthy development of such travel activities, the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局), and the General Staff Headquarters (总参谋部) issued the Notice on Further Regulating Foreign Tourists Traveling to China with Self-Provided Transport (关于进一步规范外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游有关监管工作的通知, Document No. [2015] 677). This notice aims to improve the regulations around foreign nationals using self-provided transport while traveling in China. The new policies came into effect on October 1, 2015, and replaced the previous notice issued on September 16, 1986 (Notice No. [86] Public Notice 27).

Key Provisions

1. Elimination of Documentation Requirements

As of October 1, 2015, the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局), and local police and tourism departments will no longer issue certificates or documents for foreign tourists traveling with their own vehicles. Travel agencies will not be required to provide proof from these departments when processing necessary procedures.

2. Role of Licensed Travel Agencies

Foreign tourists who wish to use their own vehicles for travel in China must be accommodated by a licensed travel agency. These agencies must have:

• A valid business license copy

• Copies of the business registration certificate (工商营业执照)

• Information about the tourists and vehicles, including travel plans and safety assurances
  The agencies are responsible for ensuring that all necessary entry and exit procedures for people and vehicles are followed.

3. Responsibilities of Travel Agencies

Travel agencies must undertake several key responsibilities:

• Safety Planning: Develop a safety plan for the journey, including arranging a guide fluent in the appropriate language to accompany the group throughout the trip. Ensure tourists do not travel separately.

• Legal Compliance: Help tourists comply with Chinese laws, educate them on local customs, and ensure they respect local cultural practices.

• Border Procedures: Manage all required border procedures for tourists and their vehicles, including applying for temporary Chinese vehicle plates, driving permits, and vehicle entry/exit permits.

4. Online Service System for Travel Agencies

The China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局) will expedite the development of an online service and management system for travel agencies to simplify the verification of their legal status. This system will allow General Administration of Customs (海关总署) and other authorities to check and confirm legitimate agencies. In the meantime, the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局) will provide a list of agencies frequently engaged in self-driving tourism to customs departments for their reference.

5. Customs Procedures

Customs will continue to regulate the entry and exit of self-driving tourist vehicles. When the China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局) provides the list of legal travel agencies, customs will verify the necessary documents submitted by the travel agencies and, after the payment of the required deposit or other legal guarantees, process the entry or exit procedures for vehicles.

6. Submission of Travel Plans

Travel agencies must submit the travel itinerary to the provincial public security (公安机关) at least 60 days before the entry of the foreign tourists. The authorities will review the route to ensure it does not pass through restricted areas. If the route does pass through areas where foreigners are restricted, the travel agency will need to obtain proper approval.

7. Border Inspection Procedures

Foreign tourists must undergo border control procedures for both personnel and vehicles according to the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Public Security (公安部) will carry out the necessary checks and grant temporary vehicle licenses, driving permits, and vehicle registration certificates. Non-Chinese documents must be accompanied by an official translation into Chinese.

8. Military Zone Regulations

The military authorities will oversee the safety of key military facilities and enforce restrictions on foreign vehicles near military zones. If foreign self-driving tourists approach restricted zones, authorities will instruct them to leave immediately. If they ignore warnings or illegally enter these areas, the police will intervene.

9. Visa Issuance

Foreign tourists planning to visit China with their own vehicles can apply for visas through the Chinese consulates or embassies, provided they submit an invitation letter or reception plan from a legitimate travel agency in China. Consular officials will remind tourists to follow the proper entry and exit procedures and comply with Chinese laws.

10. Rules for Tourists from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan

Self-driving tours from Hong Kong (香港), Macau (澳门), and Taiwan (台湾) to mainland China will follow the same regulations as those for foreign tourists. If there are bilateral or multilateral agreements in place, the terms of those agreements will apply.

Conclusion

The new regulations are designed to simplify the procedures for foreign tourists wishing to travel in China with their own vehicles while ensuring safety and legal compliance. This will make it easier for international travelers to explore China and its diverse regions, and it reflects China's ongoing commitment to improving its tourism infrastructure and visitor experience.

This notice will be effective from October 1, 2015, and replaces the earlier notice issued on September 16, 1986. The relevant departments and agencies are encouraged to comply with the new regulations to ensure the smooth operation of self-driving tours in China.

Issued by:
Ministry of Public Security (公安部)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部)
General Administration of Customs (海关总署)
China National Tourism Administration (国家旅游局)
General Staff Headquarters (总参谋部)
Date: August 18, 2015

Chinese Version:文件通知

关于进一步规范外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游有关监管工作的通知
公治〔2015〕677号
各省、自治区、直辖市公安厅（局）、外办、旅游局，各军区、军兵种、省军区司令部，各直属海关，各驻外使领馆、处、驻香港、澳门公署，新疆生产建设兵团公安局、旅游局：
为进一步规范外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游活动的安全监管工作，确保外国人在华期间自驾车旅游活动依法有序进行，促进该项旅游活动的健康发展，根据《国务院关于取消和下放一批行政审批项目等事项的决定》（国发〔2013〕19号）和国务院、中央军委《关于贯彻对外开放政策做好军事设施安全保密工作的指示》（国发〔1985〕78号）精神，现就有关工作要求通知如下：
一、公安部、国家旅游局以及各省级公安机关、旅游主管部门不再对外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游活动出具有关文件，各有关部门在办理相关手续时不得要求旅行社提供公安机关、旅游主管部门出具的证明文件。
二、外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游要由在我国已取得旅行社业务经营许可的旅行社负责接待。旅行社需持旅行社业务经营许可证复印件、工商营业执照复印件以及拟接待的外国人自驾车旅游团相关人员、车辆信息和接待计划、安全承诺书等材料办理人员、车辆进出境等相关手续。
三、旅游主管部门要督促旅行社做好以下工作：
（一）制定安全工作计划，安排有相应语言能力的本旅行社全职导游全程陪同；加强对外方人员管理，确保外方人员不脱团单独自驾旅行；教育游客自觉遵守我国法律，尊重民族风俗习惯。
（二）依法办理人员、车辆物品的进出境手续，严格按照接待计划依法申请办理临时入境机动车号牌、行驶证和临时机动车驾驶许可。禁止采用欺骗等不当手段取得相应牌照。
（三）旅行期间遇有重要情况，应当依法及时报告当地公安机关并向旅行社所属省级旅游主管部门报告。
四、国家旅游局主管司局要加快“旅行社网上服务与管理系统”建设，以方便各部门对旅行社合法信息的查询、核对。在该系统正式投入运行之前，由国家旅游局主管司局将目前经常从事自驾车旅游业务的旅行社目录提供给海关总署主管司局掌握备查并定期进行更新。
五、各海关要继续依法做好外国自驾游车辆进出境监管工作。对国家旅游局“旅行社网上服务与管理系统”或国家旅游局主管司局提供的旅行社目录中合法旅行社组织的境外自驾车旅游团，海关验核旅行社根据本通知第二条要求所提供的材料，按照规定收取保证金或者依法认可的其他担保后，办理有关车辆暂时进出境手续。
六、旅行社需在旅游团入境前60天向旅行社所在地省级人民政府公安机关出入境管理部门提交接待计划，由出入境管理部门审核旅游线路是否途经限制外国人进入区域，并在3个工作日内向旅行社告知审核结果。旅游路线不途经限制外国人进入区域的，无需办理批准手续；旅游路线途经限制外国人进入区域的，要依法办理批准手续。
对旅游路线途经限制外国人进入区域的，旅行社所在地省级公安机关出入境管理部门要征求限制区域所在地省级公安机关出入境管理部门意见后，予以办理相关手续。其中，旅游路线途经因军事原因限制外国人进入区域的，限制区域所在地省级公安机关出入境管理部门要征求本省（区）省军区司令部意见后，再向旅行社所在地省级公安机关出入境管理部门回复意见。
公安机关出入境管理部门受理外国人旅行证申请后，要在15个工作日内作出批准或不予批准的决定。
七、公安出入境边防检查机关依据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》等有关法律法规，办理人员、车辆的入境、出境边防检查等手续。
八、对旅行社组织外国人驾乘自备交通工具来华旅游的，公安机关交通管理部门审查境外主管部门核发的机动车登记证明、海关准许机动车暂时进境凭证、旅行社接待计划、机动车安全技术检验合格证明、中国机动车交通事故责任强制保险凭证，按规定查验车辆后，核发临时入境机动车号牌、行驶证；审查临时入境驾驶人的入出境身份证件、境外机动车驾驶证、符合中国驾驶许可条件的证明文件以及驾驶人照片，按规定组织学习后，核发临时机动车驾驶许可。境外机动车登记证明和境外机动车驾驶证属于非中文表述的，申请人应当提交中文翻译文本。公安机关交通管理部门按照《中华人民共和国道路交通安全法》等法律法规和规章，对入境机动车和驾驶人实施管理，查处交通违法行为、处理交通事故。
九、军队有关单位要加强对重要军事设施的安全管控，依法划定军事禁区、军事管理区，完善安全防范措施；发现外国人自驾车接近军事禁区和军事管理区的要迅速劝离，对不听劝阻的应立即通报当地公安机关，配合公安机关对其进行审查处理；发现外国人自驾车非法进入军事禁区、军事禁区外围安全控制范围和军事管理区，或者对军事设施进行摄影、摄像、测量等信息采集，不听制止的，要依法强制带离，对违法情节严重的人员予以扣留，注意收集和固定证据，对用于实施违法行为的器材、工具，或者其他物品依法予以扣押，并移交当地国家安全机关或公安机关。
十、除另有规定外，驻外签证机关凭国内接待旅行社出具的邀请函或接待计划为使用自备车辆来华旅游的外国人核发签证，并做好宣传解释工作，提醒外方人员按照中国有关法律、法规由合法旅行社办理人员、车辆进出境等手续。
十一、香港、澳门、台湾自驾车团来内地旅游活动参照以上规定办理。如签订有双边或多边运输协定的，按照协定办理。
本通知自10月1日起执行，1986年9月16日公安部、总参谋部、外交部、海关总署、国家旅游局联合发布的《关于加强对外国人乘自备交通工具旅行管理工作的通知》（[86]公发27号）同时废止。 [1]
公安部 外交部 海关总署 国家旅游局 总参谋部
2015年8月18日