The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles (STGV) scheme was officially launched at the end of 2025. To support its rollout, the EMSD made advance preparations by upgrading the Customs and Exercise Department’s (C&ED) vehicle clearance system, border inspection facilities at the “Park & Fly” Car Park, and the Licence Plate Recognition System (LPRS) at government multi-storey car park operated by the Transport Department (TD), with the aim of providing a contactless clearance and seamless travel experience for cross-boundary drivers.
Enhancing Facilities at the HZMB Hong Kong Port
Under the STGV arrangement, approved private cars with confirmed travel bookings may enter Hong Kong’s urban areas via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB). To expedite the clearance process, the EMSD assisted in developing an Automated Private Car Clearance System (APCS) to ensure rapid recognition of licence plates from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, including those bearing simplified Chinese characters. Clearance lanes were also upgraded with a remote control system to facilitate clearance for cross-boundary vehicles.
In addition, travellers from Guangdong and Macao can park their vehicles in the “Park & Fly” Car Park at the HZMB Hong Kong Port before proceeding to the Hong Kong International Airport for onward flights. In this regard, the EMSD provided the C&ED with procurement and maintenance services for security inspection equipment within the car park, including metal detectors, X-ray checkers and under-vehicle scanning system, and connected the car park’s CCTV system to the control centre to facilitate monitoring of the car park operation.
Improving Parking Convenience for Travellers
To provide parking convenience for travellers, the EMSD assisted in upgrading the LPRS at ten government multi-storey car parks operated by the TD. The upgraded system recognises Mainland licence plates rapidly, speeding up vehicle entry.
Optimising HKeToll
Meanwhile, the EMSD is working in collaboration with the TD to enhance the Automatic Number Plate Recognition System of HKeToll to support the identification of various types of Mainland and Macao licence plates. Relevant research and preliminary testing are currently underway.
The EMSD will continue to work closely with various departments and provide professional and reliable E&M solutions in response to the implementation of the STGV, striving to continuously enhance the driving experience for cross-boundary travellers.