Transit Visa query

Hi, I'm flying to Shanghai this Friday with China Eastern, I contacted the and told them that I wanted to request the 72 hour transit permit and for them to notify immigration the advice on this site suggested, but I was told that they "don't do that, they only sell the tickets fort the plane and I must contact the embassy".

Can I just apply for it myself when I land in China? Will there be an issue with me boarding my flight without something on their system regarding me contacting them? Will Shanghai airport immigration have an issue with not being notified

Also is it easy to register at a police station without speaking any Chinese?