On November 15th, as a Guangdong-registered (粤C) private car smoothly exited the inspection channel of the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, it symbolized the official implementation of the highly anticipated "Guangdong vehicles traveling south" policy, marking a new milestone in the interconnection of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. This move not only signifies the full opening of two-way vehicle flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong, but also makes cross-border travel for residents of both regions more convenient and efficient for business, tourism, and family visits.

I. "Guangdong Vehicles Going South" Officially Launched: A New Era of Convenient Travel Between Guangdong and Hong Kong

Within the first hour of the policy's implementation, a car owner from Zhuhai became the first to experience it firsthand. He stated, "Driving directly to Hong Kong is so time-saving and hassle-free—it's incredibly convenient!" Previously, mainland residents driving to Hong Kong had to apply for specific quotas such as FV plates, requiring investment, tax payments, or specific status, which were numerous restrictions and costly.

Now, "Guangdong Vehicles Going South" provides Guangdong residents with a brand-new cross-border driving mode:

No investment quotas required

No Hong Kong license plate required

No Hong Kong driving license required

Vehicle registration can be completed automatically online. The policy's implementation signifies another significant breakthrough in interconnectivity between Guangdong and Hong Kong, following the "Hong Kong vehicles going north" policy.

II. Scope and Arrangements for "Guangdong Vehicles Traveling South"

1. First Batch of Open Cities: Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen

Private car owners from these four cities who meet the requirements can apply first. Upon approval, they can drive to Hong Kong from the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. This port is currently the only designated port for "Hong Kong vehicles traveling north," "Macau vehicles traveling north," and "Guangdong vehicles traveling south."

2. Phased Implementation

From November 15, 2024

Approved car owners can enter the Hong Kong Port Automated Car Parking Lot.

From December 23, 2024

After successful reservation, vehicles can enter Hong Kong city and stay for up to 3 consecutive days.

III. Facilitation Reform: Registration, Reservation, and Insurance Completed in One Stop

To ensure smooth implementation of the policy, multiple departments in Guangdong and Hong Kong have jointly launched digital upgrade measures to comprehensively improve application efficiency.

1. Entirely Online Processing | Vehicle and Driver Registration Can Be Submitted Online

The Zhuhai Border Inspection Department, in cooperation with the development of a cross-border vehicle information management system, has achieved:

Online submission of driver information

Automatic vehicle registration recognition

Electronic verification of entry and exit documents

"One-stop" automated customs clearance: Vehicle owners only need to register and make an appointment in advance to pass through customs using electronic documents and optical license plates.

2. Hong Kong Airport Automated Parking Reservation Opens

Since November 1st, the Hong Kong Airport Authority has been accepting parking reservation applications from Guangdong vehicle owners.

Application requirements are lenient:

Applicants must hold a Mainland Resident Identity Card

Vehicles must be registered in the applicant's name

Vehicle type must be a non-commercial passenger vehicle not exceeding 5.8m × 2.05m × 2.05m. Parking spaces are allocated on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

3. No Hong Kong License Plate or Driver's License Required

Eligible Guangdong vehicle owners can directly use mainland license plates and mainland driver's licenses, significantly reducing application time and costs, and increasing policy attractiveness.

4. Convenient Insurance Services Provided

The Hong Kong Airport Authority, in conjunction with insurance institutions, has launched:

One-time Third-Party Liability Insurance (minimum 1 day)

Insurance can be completed online.

Simultaneous processing with parking reservations truly achieves cross-departmental collaboration and one-stop online processing.

IV. Intelligent Port Clearance: Inspection Completed with One Stop

To ensure clearance efficiency, border inspection and customs departments have simultaneously upgraded the port system.

1. Dedicated Inspection and Release Channels Set Up

Gongbei Customs and Border Inspection have set up 5 dedicated channels in the inbound and outbound directions respectively, achieving:

Automatic comparison of registered information

Automatic prompting of inspection results

Automatic system release, truly achieving the goal of "one stop, one release".

2. Electronic Documents Support Multiple Types of Entry and Exit Permits

Including:

Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao

Exit-Entry Permit for Official Travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao

Mainland Residents' Travel Permit for Travelling to and from Taiwan: Drivers do not need to apply for additional documents.

V. Continued Growth in Cross-Border Traffic: Single-License Vehicles Exceed 3.33 Million Passages

In 2024 alone, the number of "Hong Kong vehicles heading north" and "Macao vehicles heading north" inspected at the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge exceeded 3.33 million, demonstrating strong demand for cross-border travel.

With the implementation of the "Guangdong Vehicles Heading South" policy, for the first time, single-license vehicles from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao can enter and exit simultaneously at the same port, further enhancing mobility and convenience within the Greater Bay Area.

VI. Important Reminder: Guangdong vehicles entering Hong Kong must comply with stay regulations.

According to policy requirements:

Advance reservation is required before each entry into the Hong Kong Port Automated Car Parking Lot.

Permission is required for each entry and exit.

Vehicles must leave Hong Kong and return to Guangdong within 6 months. Failure to operate the vehicle according to regulations may result in penalties or affect future application eligibility.

Conclusion: Guangdong-Hong Kong connectivity is further upgraded, making the Greater Bay Area development more dynamic.

The official and full implementation of the "Guangdong vehicles going south" policy enables true two-way opening of cross-border exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong. For mainland car owners, this is a significant convenience for further embracing Hong Kong and participating in the Greater Bay Area construction; for Hong Kong, it can effectively promote consumption, tourism, and business exchanges, injecting new vitality into the city's economy.