How Long Does It Take to Remove ETC from the Blacklist?
4 Answers
ETC blacklist removal time: After clearing the outstanding payment, it takes 3 to 5 working days for provincial highways and 7 working days for inter-provincial highways. Although it is relatively easy to get out of the ETC blacklist, users should still be cautious during normal usage. Moreover, ETC currently does not proactively notify vehicle owners who are blacklisted. Therefore, before entering the highway, it is advisable to check whether the balance on the ETC credit card is sufficient to avoid being blacklisted. ETC refers to the Electronic Toll Collection system, which is a new toll collection model where vehicles communicate with toll stations via microwave through the onboard ETC system installed in the vehicle for identification, and then automatically deduct fees in conjunction with the network and bank.
Once I was stopped at a highway toll station, and the staff said my ETC was blacklisted. Later, I learned that if the blacklist was due to unpaid fees, it would be automatically lifted within 1-3 working days after payment. Last time, my bank card didn't have enough money, and I had unpaid fees, but after paying in the morning, it was restored in the afternoon. However, if it's due to equipment failure or account freezing, you have to go to a service outlet to handle it, and it may take a week. Now I've developed a habit of checking my ETC bill every two weeks, and I've set up SMS alerts for the linked bank card. If you encounter a blacklist, don't panic; the most important thing is to find out the reason first.
The time it takes to remove an ETC blacklist depends on the specific reason. Last time I forgot to repay my credit card and got blacklisted, the system automatically lifted the restriction the next day after I cleared the debt. A bank friend told me it could take as little as a few hours, but if it's due to account anomalies or expired card information, you'll need to visit the bank to redo the procedures, which typically takes three to five business days. I recommend all vehicle owners check their linked payment account balance and validity period, as these are the most common issues. It's best to verify your ETC status before highway trips to avoid delays at toll stations.
The time to remove from the blacklist mainly depends on the bank's processing speed. Last time, it took only 24 hours after I paid the overdue fees, but my neighbor Old Zhang's device malfunctioned, and it took a full four days to get a replacement card at the branch. For ordinary overdue fees, it's usually resolved within three days, but special cases requiring manual processing by staff may take longer. Every time I pass through the highway, I check the ETC indicator light on the dashboard—only when it's green do I feel at ease. If you encounter a blacklisting, calling customer service is faster than visiting a branch to resolve the issue.
