What are the biggest changes to the Guangdong-Hong Kong dual license plates FU (Mainland vehicles entering Hong Kong) and 粤Z (Hong Kong vehicles entering Guangdong) in 2026? Currently, new applications for the unified FU plate have been approved, and the tax threshold has been lowered, while renewal/vehicle replacement has been significantly simplified. The following are the latest official policy standards.

I. Core Content Policy for 2026

FU license plate: Mainland left-hand drive vehicles entering Hong Kong can now stay for up to 360 days, up from 180 days for FV license plates. They will also enjoy unrestricted driving in Shenzhen at all times. No new FV license plates will be issued; they can only be transferred. Only FU license plates will be issued for new applications.

II. Tax Threshold Lowered ( Latest 2026 )

FU/FV (Mainland Enterprises → Hong Kong): Annual tax payment at Shenzhen Bay/Liantang Port ≥ RMB 800,000; Cumulative tax payment over the past 3 years for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge ≥ RMB 800,000.

Guangdong Z (Hong Kong vehicles → Mainland): Shenzhen Bay area tax payment ≥ RMB 100,000 in the previous year; Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge area tax payment ≥ RMB 80,000 in the past 3 years.

III. Official Facilitation Measures (Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department)

For investment-related indicators, tax verification is no longer required for renewal; renewal can be done directly with the approval card.

There is no time limit for changing vehicles or drivers; it can be done at any time.

The talent, high-tech, and donation-related quotas are valid indefinitely and do not require repeated submission of qualification certificates.

Vehicle inspection exemptions for Hong Kong and Macau vehicles have been relaxed: vehicles only need to undergo inspection once within the past 10 years, and new vehicles within the past 6 years are exempt from inspection.

New regulations for restricted area permits: The validity period of restricted area permits in Hong Kong has been extended from 1 year to 5 years, reducing renewal costs.

IV. Detailed Application Requirements for the Two Types of License Plates

(a) FU/FV license plates (Mainland China → Hong Kong, limited to Guangdong-funded enterprises)

Applicants must be domestic enterprises (private or state-owned) registered in Guangdong Province. Foreign-invested enterprises and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Tax amount:

Shenzhen Bay, Liantang, and Shatoujiao: Those who paid ≥ 800,000 RMB in taxes in the previous year can apply for one application; those who paid ≥ 5 million RMB can apply for a maximum of three applications.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: Cumulative tax payment of ≥800,000 RMB in the past 3 years

Special exemption: National high-tech enterprises are exempt from taxation and can directly apply for one quota.

Vehicle requirements: Left-hand drive vehicles from mainland China, meeting China VI emission standards, less than 6 years old, with a passenger capacity of less than 8 people.

Drivers: Must hold a dual Guangdong-Hong Kong driver's license and a business visa, and must have an employment relationship with a company.

(ii) Guangdong Z license plates (Hong Kong → Mainland China, foreign-invested enterprises/specific individuals)

1. Corporate Application (Mainstream)

Entity: Hong Kong-funded/Foreign-funded enterprises registered in Guangdong

Taxes: Shenzhen Bay Project: RMB 100,000/year; Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Project: RMB 80,000/3 years; Foreign-invested high-tech enterprises are exempt from taxes and can apply for two licenses.

The upper limit for quotas: 1 more quota for every 500,000 additional taxpayers, up to a maximum of 15.

2. Individual application (limited to 3 categories of people; individuals from mainland China are not eligible)

Hong Kong and Macao residents who are provincial/national people's congress deputies or members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

High-level talents holding Guangdong Youyue Card A (academicians, presidents of universities in Hong Kong and Macao, etc.)

Individuals donating ≥3 million RMB to public welfare organizations in Guangdong, and groups donating ≥10 million RMB.

3. Vehicle & Driver

Vehicle: Right-hand drive vehicle registered in Hong Kong

Driver: Hong Kong resident, holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents + dual driving licenses

III. Port Access & Driving Area

FU/FV: Vehicles registered in mainland China, can be driven nationwide, and are permitted for business travel to Hong Kong.

Guangdong Z: Hong Kong registered vehicle, limited to driving within Guangdong Province, requires regular return trips to Hong Kong.

Major ports of entry: Shenzhen Bay, Liantang, Shatoujiao, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

IV. Key Points for License Application and Maintenance

Processing time: FU license plate: approximately 2-3 months; Guangdong Z license plate: 2-4 months.

Annual inspection: FU/FV vehicles follow mainland standards; Guangdong Z vehicles exempt from inspection for Hong Kong and Macau vehicles are now subject to relaxed inspection requirements.

Compliance: Drivers must register; violations will result in points being deducted, affecting the use of their license plates.

In summary, under the current policy, both FU and Guangdong Z license plates offer clear pathways, with the latter seeing a significant reduction in policy benefits for individuals. However, tax thresholds and waiting times vary considerably due to port-related factors. Before applying, it is essential to consult the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department's official website or hotline. You can also contact us online to protect your rights.