Although Taiwanese citizens can now drive and take ferries to the mainland for self-drive tourism, issues such as vehicle inspections, associated fees, and deposits remain inconvenient barriers, and there are still challenges to overcome before self-drive tourism becomes routine.
"The biggest issue is that the vehicle inspection process takes seven days, which is very inconvenient," said Li Hongliang. Although vehicles traveling to the mainland through the self-drive tourism association can currently undergo exit inspections via a special case procedure, which only takes one day and is very convenient, the general regulation still requires seven days. "Who would leave their vehicle parked at the port for seven days for no reason?"
Fees charged based on quantity and specifications
Before a vehicle boards the ferry, a "trade promotion service fee" must also be paid, which is based on the number and specifications of the vehicles. Taking the December 2015 trip as an example, three small passenger cars required a payment of NT$11,325, and after payment, a "Receipt for Collected Export Cargo Fees" is issued.
"We're just driving to the mainland for a trip, and the vehicle will come back — it's not an export of goods. I don't understand why we have to pay this fee," said Zhang Meiyu, resident director of the Self-Drive Tourism Association. She believes this fee is somewhat "unclear," and if self-drive tourism to the mainland is to become routine, this obstacle needs to be removed.
After a vehicle completes vehicle registration and identity document checks at a Taiwanese port and clears customs, upon arriving at the mainland port, the mainland side will first review the relevant documents for both the person and the vehicle, then issue a temporary license plate. This is placed inside the vehicle’s windshield, allowing the vehicle to drive and travel.
Li Hongliang said that currently, vehicles participating in self-drive tour activities are assisted by the mainland in providing a "deposit." For regular vehicles not participating in such activities, a deposit equivalent to about 50% of the vehicle’s value must be paid. That means, for a million-dollar car, a deposit of NT$500,000 must be paid first to obtain a temporary license plate from the mainland before hitting the road. This cost is quite high, and he hopes the mainland side will cancel it.
No worries about fuel, maintenance, or insurance
Will Taiwanese cars have problems using mainland gasoline? Li Hongliang said, "No." As for vehicle repairs in case of problems, or how to handle accidents, Li Hongliang said the mainland has designed short-term car insurance, and there are self-drive tourism associations across the mainland that are very enthusiastic about "Taiwanese vehicles coming over." Not only are there on-board professionals ready to respond at any time, but local public security is also very helpful. In all three of his self-drive trips to the mainland so far, everything has gone smoothly.