Agreement on Shenzhen Bay Port trial for goods vehicles

The Transport Department announced today (August 10) that the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments had reached consensus on arrangements to allow goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies to use the Shenzhen Bay Port (SBP) on a trial basis to encourage them to cross the boundary via SBP.

     "We have agreed with Guangdong to allow goods vehicles of cross boundary freight companies to use SBP with effect from next Monday (August 13) without applying for additional crossing endorsement from the Guangdong authorities in advance," a department spokesman said.

     At present, there are around 18,000 cross-boundary goods vehicles. The spokesman pointed out that the arrangements would be applicable to some 15,000 goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies.

     The Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province will formally grant the endorsement for the cross-boundary freight companies to use SBP when they renew their Mainland operating contracts in future.

     "Goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies can cross the boundary via SBP with their existing valid Mainland approval documents and closed road permits issued in Hong Kong.  The Transport Department will send letters to inform the existing closed road permit holders of the detailed arrangements shortly," the spokesman said.

     At present, goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies have to apply for additional crossing endorsement from the Guangdong authorities before they can cross the boundary via SBP.  The trial arrangements will facilitate the trade to use SBP.

     The Hong Kong and Guangdong governments will closely monitor the operation at the control point and will consider extending the trial arrangements to remaining cross-boundary goods vehicles if necessary.

     On the other hand, the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments are actively examining the arrangements for extending the trial period for cross-boundary private cars to use the SBP.  Details will be announced in due course.

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

Ends/Friday, August 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:41