Transfer in Pudong Airport to flight to Bangkok. Do I need to go through customs?
I am arriving at Shanghai Pudong airport (from the US) via China Eastern Airlines at 6 PM. Then I have another flight to Bangkok via Air China at 11 PM.
Would I need to go through customs? I do have Chinese travel visa, but it would be easier if I can just go to my connecting gate.
Best Answer
No, but: while you will not go through "actual" immigration and customs, you will need to go through a passport examination that's an awful lot like immigration (complete with long snaking queues at times) and a strict security check afterwards. Fortunately you have plenty of time to connect, so you should be fine, just follow the signs for Transfers.
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Do you go through customs in transfer?
In almost all cases, if your bags are checked through to your final destination and you already have your onward boarding pass, you'll go through transit security when you land at your connecting airport instead of customs.Can you transit through Shanghai?
24-Hour Direct Transit Under the 24-hour visa-free transit rule, no visa is required for international flight, ship, or train passengers who transit directly through mainland China and will stay for less than 24 hours. Passengers should hold tickets to a third country or region and have a confirmed seat.Do you pick up bags before customs?
If your flight into the United States doesn't take you directly to your final destination, then you might have to retrieve your checked bags after passing through immigration and before going through customs. After that, you'll need to recheck the bags again before you catch your connecting flight.Transit in Shanghai Pudong Airport | How to get to your connecting flight and airport security
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