Services optimized to improve efficiency, guarantee smooth passenger flow

Customs authorities of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge have introduced a series of smart services and facilities to boost the efficiency of customs clearance, as more goods and travelers are crossing the bridge.

Joint customs and security inspections for passengers' luggage and belongings have been implemented to enable smooth passenger flow after group tours of the bridge have recently become available.

"Taking reference from international best practices, one-way glass observation rooms are being installed to create an efficient and touchless clearance environment," said Guo Yanhai, a deputy chief customs officer of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Customs.

On Dec 15, group tours became available for the world's longest cross-sea bridge. Tourists from the Chinese mainland with valid ID cards and visitors from Hong Kong and Macao with valid travel permits are eligible to join this 140-minute tour during the bridge's trial operation.

After their luggage and belongings pass through the joint customs and security inspection, professional guides will accompany tourists onto shuttle buses to Blue Dolphin Island, passing through three channel bridges and an underwater tunnel.

The "Fly from Hong Kong via Zhuhai" policy, which took effect on Dec 12, further implemented joint customs and security inspections.

The policy allows travelers arriving at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport on the Chinese mainland to travel via the bridge to Hong Kong International Airport to fly to overseas destinations without going through immigration procedures again in Hong Kong.

After clearing customs at the Zhuhai port of the bridge, travelers can proceed to the Hong Kong International Airport pre-departure service counter at the port immigration hall to check in, then board shuttle buses to the Hong Kong airport to board their flights.

The same service applies in reverse, with people flying to Hong Kong from overseas being able to transfer to mainland cities via the cross-sea bridge and Zhuhai Jinwan Airport without the need to undergo Hong Kong immigration procedures.

"Compared to going through customs twice before, now I only need to go through customs procedures once, which greatly shortens the journey and is very convenient," said a traveler surnamed Tsang, one of the first passengers to enter the Chinese mainland via the bridge after arriving at the Hong Kong airport.