Repatriation of Remains Between the USA and China
When a loved one dies overseas, bringing them home to be with family can be an important part of saying goodbye. If you need to arrange repatriation between China and the USA, Homeland International can help coordinate the arrangements with care, sensitivity and professionalism.
Whether the journey is from the United States to China or from China to the USA, there can be several practical and official requirements to manage. These may include local funeral arrangements, permissions from the relevant authorities, document preparation and international transportation.
We understand that dealing with arrangements across two countries can feel particularly difficult at an already distressing time. Our experienced team can guide you through the process, liaise with the organisations involved and keep you informed at each stage.
Our Americas Hub in Miami with the support of our global assistance centre in the UK are well positioned to support with any repatriation in the US or China.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How does repatriation between the USA and China work?
Repatriating a loved one between China and the USA involves coordination between local funeral directors, the relevant authorities and the airline. The process will depend on the location of the death and the destination within the receiving country.
We begin by discussing the circumstances with you, including where your loved one is currently being cared for and where they need to be returned. We then coordinate with a local funeral director to arrange collection, preparation and the appropriate coffin or air-transport container.
For a journey from China, local procedures can involve obtaining permission from the authorities to release and export the deceased. The family may also need to provide written authorisation if they are unable to attend in person and wish to appoint someone to act on their behalf.
Once the necessary arrangements and documents have been confirmed, we liaise with the airline to organise suitable transportation. We also work with the receiving funeral director to arrange collection at the destination airport and onward transportation to the family’s chosen location.
Every case is different, and we will explain the arrangements that apply to your particular journey, whether your loved one is travelling to China or returning to the USA.
What documents are needed to repatriate someone between the USA and China?
The documents required for repatriation between China and the USA depend on the direction of travel, the location of the death and the local authorities involved. Some documents may need to be notarised, authenticated or translated before they can be used.
For repatriation from the USA to China, the paperwork may include:
The original death certificate issued by the relevant US authority.
The deceased person’s passport or other identification documents.
An embalming certificate and funeral director’s declaration.
A health certificate confirming that the deceased did not die from an infectious or communicable disease, where required.
Permission or authorisation for the deceased to be transported out of the USA.
Apostilles or other authentication of documents for use in China.
Chinese translations of the relevant documents.
Any additional consular or local authority documentation required for entry into China.
For repatriation from China to the USA, the documents may include:
The Chinese death certificate or medical certificate of death.
The deceased person’s passport.
A notarised death certificate and accompanying translation, where required.
Permission from the relevant Chinese authorities for the deceased to be released and transported out of the country.
An embalming certificate and confirmation of suitable preparation for air transportation.
Health or non-infectious disease documentation, where required.
A Consular Mortuary Certificate.
A funeral director’s affidavit and transit or export permit, as applicable.
Where the next of kin cannot attend to the arrangements in China, a signed letter of authorisation and supporting identification or proof of relationship may also be requested.
The requirements can vary between Chinese provinces and municipalities, as well as between US states. Additional documents may be necessary depending on the circumstances of the death. We will help establish the paperwork needed for the specific journey before transportation is arranged.
How much does repatriation between the USA and China cost?
There is no fixed price for repatriation between China and the USA. The cost depends on the location of the death, the destination and the services needed to complete the arrangements.
Factors that can influence the overall cost include:
Collection from the hospital, mortuary or other place of care.
Local funeral director and preparation fees.
Embalming and the coffin or approved air-transport container.
Airline freight charges and the availability of suitable flights.
Permissions, certificates, notarisation and document translations.
Airport handling and customs arrangements.
Onward transportation from the arrival airport to the final destination.
China’s size and the distance between some cities and international airports can also affect the arrangements. The most suitable route will depend on the destination and the available airline services.
China is one of the most expensive countries in the world for repatriation, repatriation from China to the USA typically costs between $15,000 – $20,000 USD and from the USA to China $8500 – $15000 USD.
We will discuss your requirements and provide a quotation based on the individual circumstances, explaining the services and transportation involved.
Which airports can we repatriate to in the USA and China?
The choice of airport depends on the location of the death, the final destination, airline cargo services and the arrangements available for the transportation of human remains.
Airports in China
There are a number of international airports in China that may be used for the arrival of human remains, subject to the relevant customs and handling arrangements. Examples include:
Beijing
Chengdu
Dalian
Fuzhou
Guangzhou
Nanjing
Ningbo
Shanghai
Shenyang
Shenzhen
Tianjin
Wuhan
Xiamen
Xi’an
The most suitable airport will depend on where the family needs their loved one to be returned. Not every airport will be suitable for every shipment, so the customs arrangements and airline routing must be confirmed before travel is booked.
Airports in the USA
Depending on the departure or destination location and available airline services, potential international gateways in the United States may include:
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
Los Angeles International Airport, California
San Francisco International Airport, California
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia
These are examples of major international gateways rather than a guaranteed list of airports accepting human remains shipments. We will check the appropriate airport and routing for your individual arrangements.
Request Quotation
Please provide us with some information such as where the repatriation is to and from so we can provide a quotation to you. You can contact us using one of the methods below:
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