Impossible to obtain 72-hr free permit at Shenzhen airport

Chumley, yes, Shenzhen airport is not on the list that implement the 72-hour free transfers, so you can't get the free stay from there. I know citizens of some countries can get a VOA at the border when entering Shenzhen through Hong Kong, but it's a pity that USA is not one of the countries.

Seems you are making two points;

1) no 72hour transit for Shenzhen. Most likely because most international flights are out of HK, which would make outside the rules of the transit. Second because SZ already has significant transient tourist traffic. Third, a good portion of travelers stay longer than 72 hours as they go there for business.

2) You are carping about a lack of a free entry? It is not free - get over it.

2) You are carping about a lack of a free entry? It is not free - get over it.

Hello Mr. KMOSSMAN and thanks for input. However I don't believe I am "carping" or need to "get over it." Goodness. I am simply sharing my recent experience that without an official pre-registered Visa, USA citizens are unable to enter China through neither Shenzhen Airport nor Hong Kong. Short term Landing or Port Visas are not available here to USA citizens (perhaps "free" was the wrong term.) I was indeed trying to enter Shenzhen for a two-day business meeting and a tour of factories there, so the "72-hour" timeframe would have been perfectly correct for my business travel plans.

Chumley, I don't think it's necessary to implement 72 hours free transit in Shenzhen. You know, 72 hours free transit policy has been implemented in Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou. According to the rule, visitors who meet the requirements can visit places inside Guangdong Province. That is to say, you can make use of 72 hours free transit in Guangzhou to visit Shenzhen.

In addition, 72 hours is counted from 00:00 next day. It means that passengers might have 96 hours (at most) transit.

It isn't difficult for you to figure out a trip that meets the requirements of 72 hours free transit, right?