Arrangements for cross-boundary private cars and goods vehicles to use Shenzhen Bay Port

 The Transport Department announced today (May 22) that in preparation for the commissioning of the Shenzhen Bay Port, it had sent letters to cross-boundary private car quota holders of the existing crossings inviting them to switch to use the Shenzhen Bay Port.

     "To ease traffic at the existing control points, we have reached agreement with the Guangdong authorities to allow private car quota holders of existing crossings to switch to use the Shenzhen Bay Port. Interested quota holders may submit their applications to the Public Security Bureau of Guangdong Province (GDPSB) and the Transport Department from today," a department spokesman said.

     "When their applications are approved, the quota holders of the existing crossings can use the Shenzhen Bay Port to cross the boundary after its commissioning. However, the applicants have to surrender their quota for other existing crossings. Those applicants who have approval to use more than one crossing are required to give up using only one of the existing crossings to switch to the Shenzhen Bay Port."

     "To encourage quota holders of existing crossings to switch to the Shenzhen Bay Port, we have also reached agreement with the Guangdong authorities to allow a three-month trial period after the commissioning of the Shenzhen Bay Port, during which cross-boundary private cars issued with valid closed road permits (CRPs) for existing crossings may use the Shenzhen Bay Port. The department will inform the CRP holders of the detailed arrangements of the trial period in due course," the spokesman said.

     "In other words, holders of CRPs for existing crossings may choose to apply to switch to the new crossing permanently following these procedures now or after having tried the new crossing during the trial period. However, it should be noted that the switching applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis."

     "The GDPSB has also started accepting applications for new private car quotas for the Shenzhen Bay Port. Eligible persons could submit their applications to the GDPSB," he said.  

     With regard to cross-boundary goods vehicles, the department has also issued letters to cross-boundary freight companies to inform them that they can apply for additional crossing endorsement for their good vehicles to use the Shenzhen Bay Port following the established procedures. The Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province has started accepting applications. Upon obtaining the required approval documents from the Guangdong authorities, the cross-boundary freight companies should apply for CRPs from the Transport Department.

     For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600.

Ends/Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:00