Current information (February 2025) is that it is very difficult for cruising yachts to visit China.  Entering MIGHT be possible, with a lot of paperwork and the help of a local agent but foreign boats are not permitted to cruise the coastline freely.

Formalities

Advance Notification:

In areas open to foreign yacht movement, skippers of overseas yachts must confirm the requirements for clearance with their marina, agent and authorities in advance and prior to departure. These include (but are not limited to):

• Original Yacht Certification
• CE Certification
• Builder’s Certificate
• Survey Report of Seaworthiness
• Certificate of Insurance
• Captain’s Licence
• Crew Lists and Passports
• Valid Chinese Visa (Mandatory for all foreign crew and passengers).

General Process:

On arrival and departure at every port, Customs and Immigration must be visited and the landing card for the next port presented.

After having berthed in the place assigned by the Port Authority, the captain must present the ship’s papers and crew’s passports and also prepare full documentation. See the Documents section below.

In the recent past, some yachts which have visited China have not been obliged to engage the services of a pilot, although the regulations stipulate that this is compulsory. The same applies to the services of an agent (see recommended agents under clearance for each port). The official organisation allowed to act as agents on behalf of foreign vessels is the China Ocean Shipping Agency (Penavico). This is a state-owned company under the Ministry of Communications and has offices located in many coastal cities.

Yachts other than Hong Kong and Macau registered ones are not allowed into China for repairs.

Domestic Cruising:

Foreign vessels may not enter or leave ports, or shift berths within a port, without permission from the Port Authority and, possibly, without a pilot being sent on board.  It is not possible to freely cruise China’s coastline.

CLEARING OUT

Domestic Clearance:

Vessels entering or leaving any port may be submitted to a quarantine examination and an inspection by the Port Authorities and other relevant organisations.

Yachts intending to visit Shanghai must take on board a pilot at the sea buoy. It has been reported that the pilot fee is extremely high, but the payment cannot be avoided as pilotage on the river is compulsory.

International Clearance:

Before departure, the captain must submit a foreign vessel departure report, an export manifest and a list of crew replacements, if any have occurred.

Last updated:  February 2025

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