General Information

i. Visas

An official invitation letter will be issued to those who have registered online and pay for the registration. With this letter, you can go to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate to apply for entry visa(s). To allow ample time for a successful visa application, you are kindly requested to return the final Registration Form before the deadline. If any problem arises, please contact conference Secretariat for assistance.

If you register after Sept. 30, there is not enough time for us to send you the Formal Invitation Letter for your VISA to China even by express mail. In that case, please try to apply for a tourist VISA to China.

ii. Payment method (can only be used for payment from overseas)

All payment from overseas should be in US dollars. The Conference Registration must be submitted with the payment of the appropriate credit card information, or the registration will not be processed.

Credit card payment: payment for the registration fee and hotel deposit can be made by credit card (Visa, Master, American Express). There will be a 4% service charge calculated on the total amount paid (obligation by the Bank of China). Besides, it is billed in Chinese RMB. Consequently, the amount charged to your account may vary due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Totally, there will be about 5-6% service fee.(download the payment form for credit card)----For the security reason, we would not allow the participant to input their credit card information during your online registration.

 

iii. Refund Policy and Cancellation Charge (if registrants are obliged to cancel their attendance)

Cancellation received by the Secretariat
Before August 10, 2008
After August 10 and before September 10, 2008
After September 10, 2008
After September 20, 2008
Registration Fee
30% charged
70% charged
No refund
No refund
Hotel deposit
no refund
no refund
no refund
no refund
Pre-and Post- Congress Tour
US$60 charged
US$100 charged
US$150 charged
No refund

iv. Badges

Identification badges are mandatory and are required for admission to all the Conference functions, scientific programs, poster sessions, and exhibition areas. Individuals who lose their badges will be required to pay a fee to obtain a personalized replacement badge.

v. Insurance

The Organizing Committee of IBS2008 is not responsible for any personal injury, damage or loss of property, which may occur in connection with this conference or any of the programmed events. Therefore, in case of any the above instance, we kindly suggest that participants carry their own insurance policies.

vi. Bank and Currency Exchange

Banks in Dalian are open from 9am to 5pm all through the whole week. Automatic cashiers can be found in some banks and big department stores. The following mentioned credit cards and the five type of currency US dollar, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong dollar, Australian dolor, and Euro are generally accepted for drawing bank account or exchanging currency. Please check with local banks for currency exchange rates.

In China, usually only RMB is used. However, exchange centers can be found at airports, most hotels and large shopping centers. The rate of exchange is set by the Bank of China, which is about US$1.00=RMB 7.1 Yuan (now). When exchanging money, please keep your receipt by which you can change any remaining RMB back to foreign currency when leaving China.

Visa, Master, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, and other credit cards are accepted in many department stores and hotels. But it might be difficult to draw cash with credit cards.

The bank of China and most hotels can cash travelers cheques issued by any foreign bank or financial institution. Participants will need to show a passport and pay a 0.75 percent commission. Traveler's cheque signed over to a third party cannot be cashed in China, but can be presented for collection through the Bank of China.

vii. Shopping

Most Department Stores in Dalian are open from 9am to 9pm all through the whole week. American Express, Diners Club, Master card, Visa, and JCB are accepted to pay for purchasing at many department stores and supermarkets such as Wal-Mart, the Carrefour, Mycal Dalian Department etc. Moreover, US dollar, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong dollar, Australian dolor, and Eur are also accepted for payment at the above department stores and supermarkets.

viii. Notice to All Japanese Participants

Please contact: Travel Partner Co. Ltd., Japan which was an official travel agency for the convenience of the participants from Japan to China. It will offer registration and hotel reservation, visa application, international air tickets and insurance. Contact address:


Ms. Yuriko Matsukawa / Ms. Hagita Noriko / Mr. Yuji Totsuka,
Travel Partners Co., Ltd.,
KCM Bldg. 2F, 25-6, Hakozaki-cho, Nihombashi,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0015.
Tel. +81-3-5645-3700.
Fax. +81-3-5645-3775.
Email: chinadesk8@gold.ocn.ne.jp