Most countries -- China/Hong Kong among them -- expect you to have 6 months remaining on your passport in order to enter the country.

How does that work with e-Channel? The eChannel arrival ticket only permits you to stay for 90 days, so maybe it is OK?

I MAY have an urgent trip to China. I would arrive Hong Kong, travel to Shenzhen, and both entries would occur before the T-minus-6-months window. I would be in Shenzhen for about a week, then head home via Hong Kong.

But to catch my flight in Hong Kong, I would need to enter Hong Kong, and by then my American passport would only be valid for LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. Only by a few days... but still less than 6 months.

I have eChannel. Does it check for that?

If it does block entry... then what? China presumably wouldn't let me back in. Would I be doomed to spend the rest of my life in the nether regions of Futian checkpoint? :-D

I'm sure it would cause an issue going through normal immigration. But maybe eChannel doesn't check?

Of course, I know some of the FT crew is going to suggest I just fly home out of SZ, and I know that is an option, but is complicated for reasons not relevant to the topic of this post. Same with the "Expedited Passport Renewal" option in the USA.

Again, the question is if anyone knows how eChannel would work if your passport is still valid, but not valid for the full six months.

Alternatively, what about the ferry at Shekou? I've never taken it, but I'm told you exit China, but don't officially enter Hong Kong because you are restricted to going directly to the airport.