China Law and Rights FAQ

Law and Rights

China's Tourist Laws and Regulations
Though it is still a new sector in the national economy, China's tourist industry is legally guided in the areas of tourist administration and protection of tourists' lawful rights and interests. On May 11, 1985, the State Council, the highest executive body in China, Published regulations on the administration of travel agencies. Among duties of travel agencies prescribed by the regulations are improving management and services, responding to criticism and grievances and correcting wrongdoing by employees.
On November 30, 1987, the administration issued another set of regulations governing the administration of tour guides, which set forth the qualifications needed for accredited guides.
In other areas, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law for the Protection of Regulations for the Administration of Scenic Spots, and Regulations on the Domestic Transport of Passengers and Luggage are also effective. These Legal instruments guarantee standardized services that foreigners are entitled to while in China.

Customs Regulations
Upon entering China, travelers must complete a customs declaration form listing the valuables or amount of foreign currency being brought into the country. A copy of the form will be collected upon exit. Like other countries, Chinese customs impose restrictions on items brought into China.
The following items are prohibited from being brought into China.
1) Weapons, ammunition and explosives
2) Counterfeit currencies and securities
3) Printed matter, films, photos and other materials considered detrimental to China's politics, economics, culture and ethics
4) Deadly poisons
5) Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other addictive drugs
6) Animals, plants and other products carrying dangerous viruses, insects and other obnoxious species
7) Food, drugs or other items harmful to human and animal health, or that come from epidemic regions or that are capable of spreading
The following items are barred from being taken out of China:
1) All items listed above
2) Manuscripts and printed matter involving state secrets
3) Precious relics and other antiques barred from export
4) Near-extinct and rare animal and plant species, including samples, seeds and breeding materials

Lawful Rights and interests
By lawful rights and interests, it is meant that which is legally provided or contractually binding. Tourists have the right to appeal if they believe their rights and interests infringed upon.
Such rights and interests consist in all aspects of everyday life-transportation, accommodations, dining, sightseeing and shopping.
In addition, according to the Law on Economic Contracts, travel agencies are contractually bound to provide all the services specified in the contract. Tourists, under any deviation from the terms and conditions of the contract, can lodge a complaint or even file a lawsuit to protect their rights and interests.

Means to Protect your Rights and interests
Tourists can lodge a complaint whenever something unpleasant happens to you. All the big tourist cities have set up hot lines for tourists to voice their complaints. You also can go directly to the Department for the Administration of Travel Agencies and hotels under the National Tourism Administration if the infringement is serious.

FAQ/ Law and Rights