Hong Kong and Guangdong Enhance Northbound Travel Scheme for Efficient Cross-Boundary Vehicle Access.

Streamlining procedures and enhancing Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles to make better use of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's carrying capacity

The Transport Department (TD) today (October 3) said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government have been continuously enhancing the implementation arrangements of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (NBT) scheme based on the principles of streamlining procedures and improving the experience. This aims to facilitate efficient cross-boundary travel and make better use of the carrying capacity of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) further, thereby promoting the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A spokesman for the TD said that the Government published in the Gazette today that, starting from October 13, applicants approved to participate in NBT need not apply for Closed Road Permits (CRPs) and pay permit fees. Upon receipt of the "electronic approval letters" issued by the TD, they can proceed to book their trips online or travel directly on days with no bookings required. This new arrangement will provide more convenience and attract more people to apply for NBT, enhancing their travel experience.

Since its implementation in July 2023, NBT has become popular among Hong Kong citizens. Both passenger and vehicle flows between Guangdong and Hong Kong via the HZMB have been on the rise, and over 100 000 Hong Kong private cars have participated in NBT to date. The governments of the two places have been enhancing NBT from applications, vehicle inspection and booking arrangements to provide additional convenience for Hong Kong residents to drive to Guangdong Province for work, business, sight-seeing and visiting families. Such measures include:

(1) Increasing the number of applications accepted: The number of applications for NBT accepted on each working day has been gradually increased from 200 at the beginning to 500 from January 2025. Unused quotas from applications not submitted within the assigned period are allocated to the next round, making full use of resources;

(2) Adjustments to booking arrangements: Since October 2023, the travel booking time slots have been adjusted from six sessions to four sessions to allow greater flexibility for travel; and since February 2024, the deadlines for making and cancelling travel booking were adjusted from two days and three days before the travelling date, respectively, to 12 noon on the day before travelling;

(3) Enhancing vehicle inspection arrangements: Following the establishment of a dedicated NBT vehicle inspection centre in Hong Kong, applicants need not undergo vehicle inspection on the Mainland. From March 2024, vehicle inspection was exempted if the applicant re-submits NBT applications within two years upon passing the vehicle inspection within the validity of the Mainland Electronic Vehicle Licence and with the applicant and vehicle remaining unchanged;

(4) Renewal convenience: From May 2024, if the applicant, vehicle (including vehicle registration mark, colour and chassis/vehicle identification number) and the designated drivers remain unchanged, computer balloting was not required and applicants can submit their renewal applications online within the assigned period. Besides, if the renewal applicants do not conform to the above renewal qualifications, they should re-register for the ballot and submit their applications afresh within the designated period. In addition, the ballot registration period has been relaxed from 30 to 60 days prior to the expiry of their CRPs for better convenience;

(5) Extending application period: Since April 2025, the designated application period for new and renewal applicants has been extended from three and six calendar days, respectively, to 13 days for both, providing sufficient time for applicants to prepare the necessary documents;

(6) Waiving booking prior to travel: From September 1, 2025, bookings are not required for vehicles travelling via the HZMB under NBT on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except specified dates. Among the Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the first three weeks of September, the number of vehicle trips to Guangdong Province under NBT has significantly increased compared to that in August before the implementation of the new arrangement, providing convenience for more flexible travel; and

(7) No need to apply for CRP: From October 13, 2025, approved applicants under NBT are not required to make an application for CRP and pay permit fees. They may make travel booking immediately after receiving the "electronic approval letter" issued by the TD with a better travelling experience.

The governments of the two places will continue to review the effectiveness of enhancement measures. Applicants may refer to NBT's thematic website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk) for details.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases