Skip Global Navigation to Main Content
Skip Breadcrumb Navigation
Skip Left Navigation
Important Notices for U.S. Citizens

Expo 2010 Shanghai China

FACT SHEET
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

4/8/2010

The Expo 2010 Shanghai China will take place from May 1 through October 31, 2010.  The Expo will feature national, themed, and corporate pavilions (building-sized exhibitions) over a two-square-mile (5.28-square-kilometer) area on both sides of Shanghai’s Huangpu River.  The organizers of Expo 2010 Shanghai China expect tens of millions of visitors from all over the world.  If you are among the many U.S. citizens planning to travel to Shanghai during the six-month Expo period, please review carefully the information in this Fact Sheet.

The United States of America is an official participant in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, joining more than 240 other national, regional, international organization, and corporate exhibitors.  The USA Pavilion is made possible through a public/private partnership:  the Pavilion’s design, construction, and operation are the result of a partnership with the private sector, and Pavilion funding comes from the private sector and other partners.  Several U.S. companies and state and local governments are exhibitors at the Expo.  National Days and other special celebrations for exhibitors will occur throughout the 184 days of the Expo.  Friday, July 2, has been assigned as the USA National Day at the Expo.

The Expo 2010 web site provides information about events, tickets, and transportation. The USA Pavilion web site provides information about the USA National Pavilion.  The CDC Travelers’ Health web site provides health-related information for U.S. citizens planning to travel to China.

Note: Some of the information in this Fact Sheet applies to travel anywhere in China, and -- except where noted -- is not specific to Shanghai or to the Expo 2010 Shanghai China.  Please refer to the State Department’s Country Specific Information web page for China.


Security Assessment:

THREAT LEVELS:  The threat level for terrorism against U.S. citizens in China remains low.  However, any large-scale public event like the Expo could become the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence.  There is no reason to believe that U.S. citizens are being targeted at this time.  However, occasional violence in western China’s Tibet and Xinjiang provinces are examples of potentially dangerous events that can occur.  U.S. citizens planning travel to China should regularly check the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site for updated travel warnings, alerts, or cautions.  U.S. citizens planning to attend Shanghai Expo events or to participate in any large-scale public gatherings are advised to use caution and to be alert to their surroundings at all times.  The threat level for political violence also remains low.  In most major metropolitan areas, the Chinese authorities employ a visible police/security presence to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful.  Protestors must receive an official permit from municipal authorities prior to any gatherings. 

CRIME:  Major metropolitan areas in China are relatively safe, especially in comparison with similar-sized cities in other countries.  A sizeable law enforcement and security presence serves as an effective deterrent against most types of crime, including violent crimes.  Nevertheless, the embassy and consulates assess that while the overall crime threat is low, the number of criminal incidents, such as petty theft, currency fraud, and extortion, continue to rise, including those directed against U.S. citizens. 

Travelers are strongly encouraged to be aware of their surroundings while in China.  Pickpockets in China are known to be extremely skillful and to take advantage of crowded areas.  Continued vigilance is necessary to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime.  As a general rule, lesser developed areas in major cities have a higher rate of crime.  Statistically, more crimes of opportunity transpire during early morning hours; for example, individuals who frequent bars, nightclubs, and similar establishments are more likely to be involved in physical altercations after midnight.

PRIVACY & SAFETY:  All visitors should be aware that they have no reasonable expectation of privacy in public or private locations.  All hotel rooms and offices are considered to be subject to on-site or remote technical monitoring at all times.  Hotel rooms, residences, and offices may be accessed at any time without the occupant’s consent or knowledge.  Many hotels and apartment buildings may be of substandard construction, lack emergency exits, fire suppression systems, carbon monoxide monitors, and standard security equipment (locks, alarms, and personnel).  U.S. citizens traveling abroad are reminded to review fire evacuation procedures for hotels, apartments, or offices.

PRIVATE SECTOR SECURITY:  Chinese law does not permit foreign private security officers to carry firearms in China.  Foreign private security officers have no law enforcement authority in China. 

For additional information on safety/security in China, please see the following:
o Department of State Worldwide Caution
o U.S. Consulate General Shanghai Warden Messages
o U.S. Embassy Beijing’s Warden Messages
o U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong Warden Messages
o Department of State's "A Safe Trip Abroad"
o Department of State’s "Top 10 Tips for Travelers"
o China OSAC Crime and Safety Report

Before You Go:

One way to make your foreign travel safer and more enjoyable is to inform yourself about what you will find when you arrive overseas. The Department of State publishes Country Specific Information for China that includes information on usual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, currency and entry regulations, crime and security--including risk of terrorism, and drug penalties.  The Country Specific Information presents information in a factual manner so that you can make your own decisions about your travel. 

  • Registration:  The Department of State urges you to use our Internet-Based Registration System to register with the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai (and any other embassies or consulates whose districts you will visit during your travels).

Important Note: Since this registration system site is not always available from within China, we highly recommend registering before you leave home.  If you need to register, are already in China, and have not been successful registering on the Internet, please contact shanghaiACS@state.gov.

Registration will help us locate you in the event there is a general emergency or if someone in the United States needs to reach you about an urgent matter.  Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to or living in a foreign country.  Registration allows you to record information about your overseas country of residence or upcoming trip abroad.  You should also leave a copy of your itinerary, a copy of your passport data pages, and your contact information with family or friends.

  • Dual Nationals: Dual national United States citizens, particularly those with dual Chinese and United States nationality, should realize that entering China using their non-U.S. passport could mean that the Chinese government may not afford the consular protections to which they are entitled.  While the U.S. government will offer consular services to all U.S. citizens regardless of dual nationality, use of other than a U.S. passport to enter China will make it difficult for U.S. consular officers to assist dual national U.S. citizens who have been arrested or who have other concerns with the Chinese Government.

Additional information about dual nationality can be found on our website.

Important Note:  If you are a dual United States/Chinese citizen and are arrested or detained in China, the choice you make about which passport to use to enter China will be very important.  U.S. Embassy and consulate officials are often denied access to arrested or detained U.S. citizens who do not enter China using their U.S. passport.  

Customs:  Customs authorities from both China and Hong Kong SAR may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials (these are limited to personal use only), antiquities, medications, medical equipment, business equipment, and other items.  It is advisable to contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. or one of China’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. 

  • Authentic Goods:  In many countries around the world, including China, counterfeit and pirated goods, including medications, are widely available.  Transactions involving such products are illegal, and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection may impose corresponding import restrictions in accordance with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act.  CBP maintains general travel information.  For China specific information please see QBPC - Quality Brands Protection Committee - China.
  • Ticket Scams:  Those interested in purchasing tickets to the Expo should make sure that they order their tickets from the official Expo 2010 Shanghai web site or through the Expo designated sales agent in the United States.  (The U.S. ticket agent is designated by the Shanghai Expo Bureau, not by the US Government or by the USA Pavilion.)  Tickets are also available for purchase from authorized vendors in China.  Note that on peak days, access to the Expo site will be restricted by the organizers.
  • Travel Insurance:  The Department of State urges U.S. citizens traveling overseas to ensure they have adequate medical insurance, including insurance for medical evacuations.  Medicare recipients should know that Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad.  For more information, see the State Department’s flyer Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.  Please note that some private insurance companies do not cover medical care overseas, so do check your policy before traveling and consider purchasing additional insurance.  Similarly, some travelers, particularly those who have a chronic illness should consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance.  Policies differ regarding their provisions so it is important to read them thoroughly.  Since Chinese hospitals typically require payment before treatment, it is important that U.S. citizens have sufficient funds available. 


Entry Requirements: 

Please see the Country Specific Information for China and Hong Kong SAR for specific entry requirements for travel to and between China and Hong Kong.  Note that Shanghai has two international airports:  Pudong and Hongqiao.

Important Note: Failure to comply with entry requirements for China and Hong Kong SAR may result in stiff penalties.  Persons attempting to enter China without a visa or a passport may be detained, arrested, or deported.

Special Notes:

  • Visa Validity for, Re-Entry to and Transit of China:  Visas are required to transit China.  Persons transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea or who plan to exit China to go to Hong Kong or Macau (Special Administrative Regions of China) and then return to China should be sure to obtain visas allowing multiple entries into China.  While U.S. citizens can be issued 12-month, multiple-entry visas for China, visas may be issued for shorter periods depending on the length of validity reaming on the traveler’s passport.  Be sure to check the validity period of your visa(s) before departing the United States.
  • Tibet:  Permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners.  Every foreigner going to Tibet needs to get a travel permit, which can be obtained through local travel agents.  Permits cost RMB 100, are single-entry, and valid for at most three months.  Most areas in Tibet are not open for foreigners.  Foreigners can be fined, taken into custody, and deported for visiting restricted areas.

For information about entry requirements and restricted areas, travelers may consult:

Visa Office of the Embassy of China (PRC)
2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Room 110
Washington D.C. 20007
Phone: (202) 338-6688 and (202) 588-9760.

  • Air Travel Confirmation:  Travelers should note that international flights departing China are routinely overbooked, making reconfirmation of departure reservations and early airport check-in essential.  An airport user fee for both international and domestic flights is now included in the cost of the ticket price.
  • Exiting China:  China requires that you do not stay in China beyond the expiration date of your Chinese visa.  When you depart China to return home, your visa may be checked and a fine imposed should you overstay.

While You're There:

Contact information for all the U.S. Consulates General in China, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR, and the U.S. Embassy Beijing are listed at the end of this information sheet.  U.S. consuls stand ready to assist U.S. citizens in a variety of emergency situations overseas, including lost and stolen passports, illness, temporary destitution, crime, or arrest.  If a U.S. citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U.S. consular officer can supply a list of doctors and hospitals to assist the traveler in locating appropriate medical services and can inform family or friends.  If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States.  However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler, and hospitals normally request advance payment.  Your medical insurance company can advise you on whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.  More information can be found on the health section of State Department’s web site.

U.S. citizen visitors to China should ensure their passports are well-protected and out of reach of pickpockets.  U.S. citizens with Chinese residence permits should carry these documents and leave their passports in a secure location except when traveling, as local authorities may ask for identification, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas not frequented by foreign visitors.  All U.S. citizens are encouraged to make photocopies of their passport bio-data pages and Chinese visas and to keep these in a separate, secure location.  If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai or U.S. Embassy in Beijing or one of our other U.S. Consulates General in China or Hong Kong SAR before continuing your travel abroad or returning to the United States.  For more information, please see the State Department’s Frequently Asked Questions. Information on the procedure for lost/stolen passports in Shanghai is on U.S. Consulate Shanghai’s web site.

Note: The U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. Consulates General throughout China and Hong Kong SAR close for U.S. and some Chinese holidays.  Please check the appropriate Embassy or Consulate website for information on opening hours and other important information.

U.S. citizens who need financial assistance should explore commercial options such as Western Union or other money wire services, credit card advances, or automatic teller machines (ATMs) (please note that not all ATMs accept international credit cards).  In emergencies, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General can help you contact family and friends to have them send money.  For more information, please see the Department of State's webpage on Providing Financial Assistance to Americans Abroad and its link to the Department's Overseas Citizens Services Trusts.

Please note that consular officers in our Embassy in Beijing or Consulates General throughout China and Hong Kong SAR cannot act as travel agents, banks, lawyers, investigators, post offices, or law enforcement officers.  They cannot find you employment, get you residence or driving permits, act as interpreters, search for missing luggage, or settle disputes with hotel managers.  They can, however, tell you how to get help on these and other matters.

U.S. citizens traveling or living in China and/or Hong Kong SAR are subject to their legal systems and can be arrested for violating local law.  The Department of State or the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General cannot have a U.S. citizen released from prison.  However, U.S. consular officers can provide other types of assistance.  For more information, please see the Department's flyer on Assistance to Americans Arrested Abroad. 

Despite the best preparation, crises like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or mass-transportation accidents can occur.  For information on what you can do in a crisis and how the U.S. Government can assist you, please see the Department of State webpage on Crisis Awareness.

Health Information: 

Note: Special health regulations and/or special health-related measures may be put into effect in Shanghai and/or in the Expo Zone during the Expo.

The Chinese health-care system and facilities in China differ from those in the United States.  Chinese hospitals tend to be more crowded, personnel may have limited English-speaking skills, and medication and treatment standards are different than what U.S. citizens might expect.  The same brand of medication taken regularly in the United States will probably not be available in China.  Imported medications and medical supplies are not typically permitted, so please check with your physician if you must take medication daily.  Make sure to bring enough medication for the length of your trip and any unexpected delays.  It is important to bring your regular medications in their original containers and a copy of all prescriptions, including the generic names for medications.  If you take a controlled substance or a medication that must be injected, you should also bring a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery.  Some medications are not allowed into China, so it is important to check customs information before traveling.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Tuberculosis (TB) is an increasingly serious health concern in China.  For further information, please consult the CDC's information about TB.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the CDC travel notices pages.  More health information for travelers is available on the WHO web site.  Additional information on Avian Influenza may also be found on the State Department’s website and the CDC’s travelers’ health web site.
 
Useful Contact Information:

  • United States:
    Department of State's Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management
    • Within U.S. and Canada:  1-888-407-4747
    • From overseas: 001-202-501-4444
  • Department of State's National Passport Information Center
    • Within the U.S.:  1-877-487-2778
    • TDD/TTY from within the U.S.: 1-888-874-7793
    • American citizens overseas should contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information about passports.

China:

  • U.S. Consulate General Shanghai:  The Consular Section is located in the Westgate Mall (Mei-Long-Zhen), 8th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. (86)(21) 3217-4650 and for U.S. citizens after hours emergencies (86)(21) 6433-3936, Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov. 
  • U.S. Embassy Beijing:   No. 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie, Chaoyang District, 100600 Beijing, 24 hour tel: (86)(10) 6532-3431 Email: AmCitBeijing@state.gov. Embassy’s website:  http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/
  • U.S. Consulate General Chengdu:  Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. (86)(28) 8558-3992 and for U.S. citizens after hours emergencies (86)(28)1370-8001-422  Email: consularchengdu@state.gov.
  • U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou:   The Consular Section is located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, tel. (86)(20) 8518-7605 and for U.S. citizens emergencies after hours (86)(20) 8121-8000; Email:GuangzhouACS@state.gov. 
    Email: GuangzhouA@state.gov (Guangzhou adoptions).
  • U.S. Consulate General Shenyang:  No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86)(24) 2322-1198n and for U.S. citizens after hours emergencies (86)(24) 137-0988-9307; Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov.
  • Local Authorities China
    Police (while in China): 110
    Ambulance (while in China): 112
    Fire Department (while in China): 119

Hong Kong:

  • U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong
    Tel. from within Hong Kong: 2523-9011
    Tel. from the U.S.: +(852) 2523-9011
    U.S. citizens emergencies after hours 852-2841-9011
    Address: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
  • Local Authorities Hong Kong 
    Emergency assistance for English-speaking visitors in Hong Kong: 999
    Police (while in Hong Kong): 999
    Ambulance (while in Hong Kong): 999
    Fire Department (while in Hong Kong): 999 

Useful Links: