First day of special customs operation in Hengqin runs smoothly

At midnight on March 1, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the "Cooperation Zone") starts special customs operation, facilitating entry and exit through separate channels.

Convenient entry

At midnight on March 1, Cheng Xi, a resident from Macao, passed through the customs inspection checkpoint at the Hall of Hengqin Port, becoming the first passenger to enter the Cooperation Zone through the "first-tier" customs while carrying relevant animal- and plant-based products after the implementation of the special customs operation.

Following the special customs operation, eligible Macao residents are allowed to bring a reasonable amount of cooked meat, fresh fruits and vegetables for personal use to the Cooperation Zone through the "first-tier" port of entry, after applying for filing.

"In the past, it was inconvenient to carry daily necessities and food between Macao and Hengqin. Now, I can bring meals and delicacies from Macao to share with friends on the mainland," said Cheng Xi.

Smooth flow of vehicles

According to statistics from the Hengqin Public Security Bureau's traffic police division, on March 1, around 102,000 vehicles, including nearly 1,500 trucks, entered and exited the Cooperation Zone through the channel in the "second-tier" zone. Despite the volume of traffic remaining consistent compared to normal days, there was no congestion.

On the Hengqin Bridge, vehicles traveling to and from the Cooperation Zone, including taxis and online ride-hailing vehicles catering to transfer services between Zhuhai and Hengqin, passed through the "second-tier" channels in order. Ms. Zhang, who commuted to work on Zhuhai's Bus No.14, said, "It is still convenient to travel by bus. Today I was not selected for inspection and just went straight through the coach channel."

Sufficient service support

After the launch of the Cooperation Zone's Smart Port Public Service Platform (hereinafter referred to as the "Public Service Platform"), the Economic Development Bureau established offline consultation centers at the Macao side of the Hengqin Port immigration hall and the Enterprise and Talent Service Center, providing guidance on relevant policies and assistance with relevant services on the Public Service Platform.

As of March 1, the total number of registered users on the Public Service Platform reached nearly 118,000, with nearly 1,600 declarations from eligible Macao residents. Nearly 150 Macao residents registered for carrying animal- and plant-based products, while nearly 88,000 vehicles have been recorded for passing through the "second-tier" channels.

The Commercial Service Bureau has set up a consultation counter at the Administrative Service Center. According to statistics, on March 1, the Bureau received a total of 142 inquiries, 20 of which were from Macao residents. The consultations mainly involved the declaration materials for duty-free imports and the procedures for vehicle registration, accounting for 10% of the total inquiries at the Government Service Center.