HK, Zhuhai, Macao ports to speed up bridge crossings

Smuggling, rapid clearance, and redundant inspections will be mutually addressed from now on at the three ports of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB).

Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao signed a memorandum on Nov 13 in Gongbei for cooperation in customs affairs, calling for mutual-assistance arrangements for the bridge ports.

Specifically, a mechanism for emergency liaison, information exchange, and joint anti-smuggling cooperation will be established among the three ports of the bridge. It will deal with complex smuggling situations and port emergencies caused by the rapid flow of goods and articles across the different tariff zones.

In addition, the Single E-lock Scheme, a cross-border rapid customs clearance mode that now functions between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will be applied to the bridge's Hong Kong and Zhuhai ports. This will enable rapid passage of cross-border freight vehicles.

The three custom administrations will recognize each other’s inspection results and cooperate in the investigation and seizure of drugs, weapons, currencies, endangered goods, and intellectual property rights.

HZMB ports were previously applying a "separate locations" mode of clearance in accordance with the Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by Hong Kong, Guangdong Province, and Macao in 2010. This new agreement facilitates customs clearance to ease law enforcement procedures at the three ports.

The pact was signed by Li Shuyu, director general of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China; Hermes Tang, commissioner of Hong Kong Customs & Excise; and Vong Iao Lek, director-general of Macao Customs Service.