使用無償劃撥的土﹒地原則上並無使用期限問題，但是在一些例外情況下這種永久使用權並不是真實的，這些例外情況包括有:只要以劃撥方式取得土地使用權後兩年閒置未用，原則上都要收回，除非事先經過批准機關同意;或者基於城市建設發展需要和城市規劃的要求，市、縣人民政府可以隨時收回劃撥土地使用權，並可以予以出讓，不受任何限制;或者用地單位不按批准的用途使用土地時也可以收回。另外，以出讓方式取得的土地使用權雖然較之於劃撥土地使用權有保障，但也不是絕對的。出讓土地使用權雖然有一定的使用期限，大陸當局一般不提前收回，但是在一定條件下仍然可以依法提前收回，目前大陸當局已陸續在各地徵收土地閒置費就是一例。至於出讓的土地使用期限屆滿能否續期目前尚未成為問題，但是大陸土地相關法規中規定並不清楚明確，卻可因社會公共利益需要而不予續期的規定，值得注意。

Although land allocated by the government without compensation generally can be used without a time limit， some may be taken back by the government under the following circumstances: it has not been used in two years after allocation except for those approved by concerned government units; it is needed for city construction and development; and it has not been used in a way as permitted by the government units. As a comparison， the land of which the right of use can be transferred will not be recalled during the period approved by the government units except for certain reasons. Presently， the land that has been left unused has been charged with many unused fees. Although there is no regulations as to whether transferable land can be continually used upon the expiration date， the government can take back any land when it feels necessary， usually on the excuse of promoting public interest.