Real-time traffic updates to speed up border crossings

Ayra Wang

Authorities are planning to launch a border information platform by the end of the year to provide real-time passenger and vehicle traffic updates at crossings that link up with Macau and the mainland, according to Customs and Excise Department commissioner Louise Ho Pui-shan.

In an interview with a Chinese-language newspaper, Ho said improving border clearance efficiency is a "top priority" and the no-registration-needed platform will help the public avoid crowding.

"The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau customs clearance information platform will offer real-time traffic information to facilitate more convenient border crossings," Ho said.

"It will also include other customs information, such as announcements, regulations and violation cases, to remind citizens not to break the law."

The launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Single Submission for Dual Declaration Scheme for cargo in February, she said, allows mainland enterprises to declare exports to Hong Kong to customs on both sides with a single submission, saving time and costs for businesses while improving the accuracy of declarations and accelerating information sharing between customs agencies."

However, the department is facing challenges, including changes in international trade, the rapid growth of e-commerce and money laundering through cross-border trade.

To address them, she said,it will organize more meetings, workshops and joint law enforcement operations with other countries and regions following its election as Asia/Pacific vice-chair of the World Customs Organization until 2026.

In the first seven months of the year, it has cracked 11,000 illicit cigarette cases, made 10,494 arrests and seized more than HK$1.28 billion worth of illicit cigarettes.

It has also detected over 9,600 cases involving tourists with illegal duty-free cigarettes, up 88 percent.

To address the issue, a consultancy study has started on a duty-paid labeling system, which is expected to be completed within three months.

The department plans to hire 90 inspectors and 260 customs officers this year, following an uptick in applications that Ho put at 8,400 for inspectors and 6,200 for customs officers, representing a year-on-year increase of 11 and 20 percent, respectively.