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To further facilitate the economic, social and cultural exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong, the implementation details of Phase I of the Ad Hoc Quota Trial Scheme for Cross Boundary Private Cars have been firmed up after detailed study and discussion between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Guangdong Government. Eligible Hong Kong private car owners may make applications under an ad hoc quota from the Transport Department (TD) starting from the end of March to drive their own private cars into Guangdong Province.
The Phase I scheme to be implemented at the Shenzhen Bay Port in March will be a trial scheme. The ad hoc quota open for applications is currently set at 50 per day. Eligible registered owners of right-hand drive private cars with a seating capacity of five or less and registered and licensed in Hong Kong may make reservations via the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/adhocquota) or the reservation hotline at 3901 0088 from March 30 onwards.
Hong Kong private car owners granted permission under the ad hoc quota may drive into Guangdong Province via the Shenzhen Bay Port once from April 27 and stay for not more than seven days.
The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Joseph Y T Lai, said that all procedures required by the HKSAR Government will be processed and assessed by the TD in one go for the convenience of the applicants. The TD will also pass the application information on behalf of the applicants to relevant Mainland authorities for assessment. Applications can be made online, by post, via drop box or submitted in person or by agents.
The application will be assessed by the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Government separately. The TD will inform the applicants of the assessment results. Upon the approval of applications by both governments, the applicants need to complete the formalities as required by the Mainland, including taking out Mainland compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance for a period of at least 11 days starting from the Quota Start Date for their private cars, and applying for the "Approval Notice" and "Temporary Car Plate and Licence" issued by the Public Security Department of Guangdong Province (GDPSD) as well as the "Inspection and quarantine declaration card for temporary arrival/departure of car". These formalities can be completed in Hong Kong at China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited (CTS) as authorised by the GDPSD and inspection and quarantine authorities. The applicants have to take supporting documents to designated CTS offices to complete the formalities and make payments.
Applicants must also complete the formalities as required by the Mainland Customs at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The formalities include applying for ATA Carnet, filing for an electronic record and taking out carnet insurance for the car. The fees for completing these formalities depend on the depreciated value of the car and whether the car is registered by an individual or a company.
In general, for a car with a depreciated value of $300,000, the total fee for completing all formalities as required by the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities will be not more than $2,000.
Apart from the statutory insurance required by Hong Kong and the Mainland, an applicant should also consider taking out other related insurance like travel insurance, commercial third-party liability insurance and liability insurance for cross-boundary vehicle owners according to his own situation to extend the scope of coverage of insurance.
Regarding the Phase II trial scheme in which private cars from Guangdong Province will be issued permission under ad hoc quotas, Mr Lai reiterated that no concrete timetable has been firmed up so far. Experts from the two governments will further study the implementation details of Phase II after the Phase I trial scheme has experienced smooth operation for a period of time.
"We will take full account of the impact on traffic and road safety as well as the environment. We will start with a small quota. We have no concrete timetable so far," Mr Lai said.
On future assessment of applications, the HKSAR and Guangdong governments will only allow drivers with a good driving record to drive across the boundary under the quota scheme and stay for a few days. To enhance the safety awareness of the drivers, the Government will remind the drivers of the things to take heed of while driving across the boundary through publicity and education.
Mr Lai noted that regardless of the scheme applicable, Mainland drivers and cars must comply with local traffic ordinances and regulations while driving in Hong Kong. They should have also taken out third-party insurance in Hong Kong. Any violation of the relevant ordinance or regulations in Hong Kong will be handled in accordance with the law.
He also pointed out that implementation of the Phase II trial scheme will involve legislation amendments to the possible legal basis for the issuance of temporary licences to Guangdong private cars and for charging relevant charges.
The application website and reservation hotline for the Phase I trial scheme will be activated on March 30. To help potential applicants to better understand the trial scheme, the TD will publish detailed application guidelines. A video is also being produced by the TD to introduce the driving route to the Shenzhen Bay Port and the clearance procedures at the boundary control point. The application guidelines will be distributed to the public before the application start date. The public may also download the guidelines from the TD's website. The video will be available for viewing on the Internet before applications begin.
For details and application procedures for Phase I of the Ad Hoc Quota Trial Scheme for Cross Boundary Private Cars, please browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or call the hotline at 2804 2600.
Ends/Monday, February 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:36
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