Repatriation from Xi'an, China

Xi’an (西安, pronounced “Shee-an”) is the capital of Shaanxi Province (陕西省) in central China and one of the country’s oldest cities: the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the capital of 13 imperial dynasties. British tourists visit almost exclusively for the Terracotta Warriors (Bingmayong, 兵马俑) at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Qinshihuang Mausoleum, 40km east of the city centre), the Xi’an City Walls (the best-preserved ancient city walls in China), and the Muslim Quarter (Huijie, 回街). It is one of the most visited Chinese cities for British tourists and one of the few provincial Chinese cities with a direct flight to London.

Xi’an falls under the jurisdiction of Xi’an City (西安市) and Shaanxi Province. Deaths here are processed through Shaanxi provincial institutions rather than through Beijing or Shanghai, which means families and repatriation firms must engage the provincial chain, not assume everything routes through a major consulate city.

Consular coverage

The British Embassy Beijing (11 Guang Hua Lu, Jianguomenwai, Beijing 100600) covers Shaanxi Province including Xi’an. The Embassy’s consular section handles deaths in Beijing and northern/central China.

British Embassy Beijing: +86 10 5192 4000. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What Chinese law requires

中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法 (Criminal Procedure Law of the PRC, 1979, revised 2018): All sudden, unnatural, or unexplained deaths are reported to the 公安局 (Public Security Bureau, PSB). Xi’an City PSB (西安市公安局) investigates deaths within the city; the 陕西省公安厅 (Shaanxi Province PSB) handles provincial oversight and cases referred upward.

Death registration: A 死亡证明书 (death certificate) is issued by the hospital (if the death occurred in hospital) or by the PSB and forensic examiner. The death is registered with the 殡仪馆 (funeral home/cremation service) and with the district civil affairs bureau. UK families should ensure they obtain authenticated copies of the death certificate for use in the UK.

Forensic pathology: Sudden or suspicious deaths are examined by the forensic medicine section of the Xi’an PSB (法医鉴定, PSB forensic identification unit) or by Xi’an Jiaotong University’s Department of Forensic Medicine (西安交通大学法医系), one of China’s leading forensic medicine teaching departments.

Shaanxi Health Commission (陕西省卫生健康委员会): Issues the international transport permit (卫生许可证 for remains export) in coordination with AQSIQ/Customs and the local Quarantine Bureau (海关).

Source: Criminal Procedure Law of the PRC (中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法) 2018 revision; 2024.

Medical coverage

Xi’an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital (西安交通大学第一附属医院, Yanta West Road 277) is the main university hospital and regional trauma centre. Xi’an Jiaotong University Second Affiliated Hospital (No.157 Xiwu Road) is the other major facility. Tang Du Hospital (第四军医大学唐都医院, New Si Road 569) also serves the city. For insured foreign nationals, International SOS and Alarm medical assistance maintain networks in Xi’an with English-speaking referral support.

The documentation chain

1. 死亡证明书 (death certificate) from hospital or PSB forensic examiner. 2. Xi’an City PSB investigation report (in sudden deaths). 3. PSB forensic or Xi’an Jiaotong University forensic post-mortem (if ordered). 4. PSB release of the body. 5. Shaanxi Health Commission international transport permit. 6. Customs/Quarantine Bureau clearance (Xi’an Customs). 7. Embalming certificate. 8. IATA cargo documentation, XIY (Xi’an Xianyang International Airport) to LHR.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) has a direct service to London Heathrow operated by Hainan Airlines (HU). This is one of the few provincial Chinese cities with a direct UK route, which significantly simplifies the cargo logistics chain. If the direct service is suspended, cargo routes via Beijing (PEK) or Shanghai (PVG).

Note: all documents are in Mandarin Chinese. Certified translations by a professional translator recognised for UK legal purposes are required.

Timeline from Xi’an

• Natural death, expected, hospital: 14 to 28 days
• PSB investigation, uncomplicated: 21 to 35 days
• Complex forensic case: 6 to 12 weeks

For repatriation guidance, contact our team via our enquiry form.

See also the China repatriation guide and repatriation from Beijing.

Information based on Criminal Procedure Law of the PRC (中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法) 2018 revision. Last reviewed May 2026.