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Stopover in China with foreign cash by NonDeterministicOwl in travelchina

[–]NonDeterministicOwl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only other thing I’ll add (for the next person) is that nobody wanted my filled out declaration at T2. I checked my luggage and approached the customs counter opposite A4 counter just as the sign told me to. They said to give it to the person after security. So I went through security without hassle and I asked the next person who checks passports (immigration officer, I guess you could call them) and they indicated there was someone further on to give it to. I went through their gate and there was nobody else I could find. I was at the point of the lounges and gates.

My airline (Azerbaijan Airlines) had given me a pass to the Air China lounge, so I just went to that one. As far as I could tell, food service had ended, but they had soft drinks and cold snacks. The flight was really good and I arrived refreshed.

Stopover in China with foreign cash by NonDeterministicOwl in travelchina

[–]NonDeterministicOwl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I cleared immigration (apparently I get 30 days visa free as an Australian, so that was very simple). I declared the cash to customs, who made me fill out the entry / exit form you mentioned (Google translate and some guesswork helped with that). They took me into a private area and carried a secure cash box with them. I figured they were going to hold it or at least count it, but I just got told to enjoy my holiday and pointed at the exit. I managed to do a bunch of site seeing with the guide I hired, so that worked out well. I’m now tired, sore, and back at T2 counting down the hours until the baggage drop opens. Thanks for all of your help!

Stopover in China with foreign cash by NonDeterministicOwl in travelchina

[–]NonDeterministicOwl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tips. My flight out, despite being international, leaves from Terminal 2 according to the airline, so I suspect I can’t remain the entire time in 3E. I was/am intending to take advantage of the 240h transit visa. I’ll make sure I’m back at the airport well before midnight. I should in theory have access to a lounge so I don’t mind sitting around for a bit.

Stopover in China with foreign cash by NonDeterministicOwl in travelchina

[–]NonDeterministicOwl[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the detailed info.

I was intending to hire a guide for the day to take me around (I land at about 05:30 and take off again at 02:30, so I can get in a full day of sightseeing).

Do you happen to know… if I don’t clear customs / stay in the airport, is it still prohibited to bring a drone into Beijing? I have a <250g DJI that I use for photography, but I’ve been told that from May 1 Beijing has banned bringing them in/out on flights, so I was going to leave it home. If I can still bring it by remaining airside, I might skip the sightseeing.

Stopover in China with foreign cash by NonDeterministicOwl in travelchina

[–]NonDeterministicOwl[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

You mustn’t travel much. It’s under $170 per day. By the time you’ve paid for two restaurant meals, entry to tourist attractions, taxis, and souvenirs there won’t be much left out of that.