BJ airport security changes

[cdn_in_bj]

I just got back and I noticed some changes to the security procedures, which I'm assuming are in preparation for the Olympics.

The first thing is that they are now taking the quarantine thing (the area right before immigration) a lot more seriously. It took me about 10 minutes to get through as they were making people go past one at a time, and in some cases also checking passports here. While I was waiting, there were 2 people who were "caught" having a fever - they took them aside but I couldn't tell what they were going to do with them. In fact at one point they asked us to back up a bit as the large crowd was interfering with the temperature readings. I also noticed that they made a change to the quarantine form - they now ask you for your contact information in your home country, in addition to your contact info while in China.

Secondly, they are now using dogs in the baggage claim area. I suspect to look for drugs. Anticipating that they may step up the random inspections, I decided to change some of my answers on the customs form as I was carrying some alcohol and dried meat products and I didn't want there to be any trouble in case they did decide to search my luggage.

But as it turned out, the officer just looked at my form and nodded. I guess this is one thing that *hasn't* changed!

[heifeng]

waaahhahah I need to void out what you just said. No one was even stationed at the quarantine area when I went through coming back into the country a few days ago and I just threw my paper up on a counter and strolled through. No dogs either. Security was really lax on both ends this year! I guess it just depends on the flight and time of the day or so.

[gougou]

Complete opposite experience here; where did you come from? I flew in from Germany three days ago: I didn't have to fill in a quarantine form (by what I read, they're not in use anymore since January 1; when did you arrive?), and there was only one person sitting in the quarantine area, watching his screen listlessly as we walked past.

[cdn_in_bj]

That's strange, I arrived yesterday afternoon, the 7th.

And now I remember that the officer didn't take my quarantine form (he didn't even look at it actually).

Thinking about it some more, there were a lot of folks with darker coloured skin waiting to pass quarantine/immigration, so maybe my flight coincided with a "high risk" flight.

And before anyone calls me a racist, it's no secret that racial profiling occurs not only here but also in many supposedly non-discriminating countries too.

[gougou]

it's no secret that racial profiling occurs not only here but also in many supposedly non-discriminating countries too.

Actually, I don't think they use racial profiling. I do recall however that there was a certain number of countries with special regulations because of yellow fever, so maybe you saw a planeload of people just in from Sierra Leone or somewhere.

[cdn_in_bj]

Actually, I don't think they use racial profiling. I do recall however that there was a certain number of countries with special regulations because of yellow fever, so maybe you saw a planeload of people just in from Sierra Leone or somewhere.

That makes sense for the quarantine, but I was actually referring to the use of dogs when I wrote that, though it wasn't too clear from my writing.

[imron]

Yeah I would also report conditions that were even more lax than usual. The quarantine desks that used to be there were unattended, and no one was even bothered about checking luggage. I could have written anything on my customs form and it wouldn't have mattered, the guy didn't even look at it. Just took it from my hand and put it on the pile and waved me through. This was on a flight arriving at 10.30pm on the 5th of Jan.

[cdn_in_bj]

I could have written anything on my customs form and it wouldn't have mattered, the guy didn't even look at it. Just took it from my hand and put it on the pile and waved me through.

Yeah, same here. Which was surprising given all of the other strictness.

By the way, I arrived right after lunch.

[Shadowdh]

I arrived Sunday just past and there was no quarantine, I wrote on my customs form I didnt have more than 1.5 litres of alcohol over 12% when I had two 1 litre bottles of mint baileys... hmmm mint baileys... and was not checked except for passport control... I was a bit surprised at the relaxed atmosphere of it all, especially compared to the UK which is so anal about stupid things its not funny..

[flameproof]

While I was waiting, there were 2 people who were "caught" having a fever - they took them aside but I couldn't tell what they were going to do with them.

Were they ever seen again? Will they harvest organs from people with fever?

From my experience those "regulations" can change from day to day. And anyway, from January onwards we should fill no health forms at all:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-12/20/content_6334120.htm

..but that may change too from day to day...

[cdn_in_bj]

I thought I would follow-up on this thread after my latest trip...

They have eliminated the blue/yellow exit/entrance customs forms. I guess that shows how seriously they take customs declarations.

However, foreigners still have to fill out an immigration form on exit and entry. The new forms actually have entry and exit sections on the same form, with a perforation in the middle. When you enter, the customs officer tears off the entry section and leaves the exit sectin in your passport, which presumably you're supposed to keep safe for when you leave the country.

Finally, this time the quarantine was back to normal (ie- lax). So they must do it based on arriving flights.

[gougou]

They have eliminated the blue/yellow exit/entrance customs forms. I guess that shows how seriously they take customs declarations.

I heard it would be eliminated for those with nothing to declare, which I find a sensible measure. I have handed in so many forms already with only 'No' fields ticked. If you have something to declare, I'm sure they will make you fill out a form still.

[BaoMiHua]

This time coming in, they gave the new style immigration cards in the plane, but they had already ripped the exit-part off, don't know what they plan to do with them, maybe saving for the return-flight or something....