The Transport Department (TD) announced today (December 12) that the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments will increase the quota for Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars (i.e. dual-plate private cars) using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to respond to demand.

     On August 25 this year, the two governments announced a quota of 3 000 for Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars using the HZMB. In light of the overwhelming response, the two governments have decided to increase the quota for Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars by 7 000, bringing the quota for Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars to 10 000 before the commissioning of the HZMB.

     The validity period and application criteria for the newly added quota of 7 000 remain unchanged. The validity of the quota period will be five years.  Applicants may apply for renewal upon expiry, subject to the criteria and conditions at that time. 

     Details of the application criteria are as follows:

(a) Hong Kong enterprises with an accumulative tax amount of at least RMB100,000 in Guangdong in the past three years (including the application year), irrespective of the investment amount;
(b) Recognised national high-tech Hong Kong enterprises;
(c) Hong Kong residents who donated to charitable work for an accumulative amount of RMB5 million in Guangdong; or
(d) Hong Kong residents who are members of the People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at national level or at provincial, prefectural and county level of Guangdong province.

     Hong Kong residents who have applied under the private car quotas for other crossings may still submit their applications, given that they meet the above criteria.

     Eligible Hong Kong residents should submit their applications to the Guangdong Public Security Department (GDPSD). Applicants may also submit their applications to the Head Office, Kowloon Bay Entry Permit Service Centre and Shatin Entry Permit Service Centre of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited. For details of the application criteria and formalities, please visit the GDPSD's website at www.jj.gdga.gov.cn/.

     With a view to maximising the social, economic and traffic benefits of the HZMB, the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments also announced that with reference to the arrangements made to tie in with the commissioning of the Shenzhen Bay Port, cross-boundary private cars (i.e. dual-plate private cars) under respective quotas for using other crossings (i.e. Shenzhen Bay, Lok Ma Chau (Huangguang), Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok) will be allowed to use the HZMB without the need to go through additional procedures on a trial basis. The trial period will be two years tentatively. The TD will inform the current Closed Road Permit holders of the trial arrangement.

Ends/Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:55

NNNN