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Chapter 5 - Arrival at Shanghai THE CHINA SEA! There is romance in the very words. The other side of the World, the Orient, the Yellow Land. And just about forty miles at sea from the river even the water, which was blue a few minutes ago, becomes yellow. The mighty Yangtsze River brings down with it to the sea a great quantity of the soil of China. It is the mouth of the Yangtsze which you are entering as the pilot boards the ship at Bell Buoy some four or five hours before arrival in Shanghai. It is the pilot's task to navigate your steamer up the Yangtsze, into the Whangpoo River and to Shanghai. The Whangpoo empties into the Yangtsze at Woosung. 
Shanghai is situated fifty-four miles from the mouth of the Yangtsze. It is forty miles to Woosung and fourteen miles from Woosung up the Whangpoo to Shanghai.
In the Whangpoo on both sides of the steamer are green fields and busy farm life. Junks sail by, and diminutive craft called "sampans."
In contrast, the great steamships of great nations are passing. In rapid succession it is possible to see the flags of the Scandinavian countries, Holland, Japan, Italy, England; Germany, France, America and China. Warships are always in Shanghai harbour, representing France, Japan, Italy, Great Britain, America, and occasionally, Germany; submarines, destroyers, troop carriers, battleships, cruisers, aeroplane carriers.
Passport and Customs Formalities. The usual passport requirements and Customs formalities have to be complied with before landing in Shanghai. Have your customs declaration prepared in advance. Don't try to be evasive. Customs examiners are courteous and efficient. Tourists entering Shanghai are allowed to bring in 25 cigars, 206 cigarettes and half a pound of tobacco. Excess smoking materials are dutiable. Firearms must be deposited with the Customs until departure. Unaccompanied baggage is placed in bond until the arrival of the passenger for examination. Storage charges are thirty cents a day (Mex.) per package.
Visitors travelling overland to Shanghai by rail are, of course, subject to Customs and passport regulations at the point of entry into China.
The importation of goods into any port of China is subject to duty. Personal effects are not liable, nor are books, charts and maps, newspapers and periodicals. It is strictly prohibited to import salt, or any kind of narcotics except in certain quantities contained in medicines. Salt is a government monopoly and a great source of revenue.
The highest duty is on woollen piece goods and silks, ranging from 80 down to 50 and 40 per cent. The next highest duty is paid on alcoholic liquor. The lowest rates are on machinery, iron tools, etc. The tariff is designed to protect and promote China's rapidly growing home industries. Export duties are very low. In passing luggage through the Customs the assistance of one of the several reliable transport firms is helpful. Their representatives meet all passenger vessels and may be identified by the name of the firm on the cap.
Passengers should bear in mind when departing that a permit to ship, issued by the Customs, is required for all nailed cases or crates taken on board as luggage. Here again the assistance of a reliable transport firm saves a lot of trouble.
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