Automated channel enrolment opens

October 6, 2026

Voiceover : 
The redeveloped Huanggang Port is expected to be commissioned soon with the Immigration Department projecting at least 100,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips per day during its initial stage of operation.

To further enhance passenger experience and clearance efficiency, the facility will implement a "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode.

The port is equipped with 134 "collaborative inspection" automated channels and 68 traditional manual counters.

Using the automated channels, enrolled passengers only need to queue and present their identity documents once to complete the immigration clearance for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This reduces the overall immigration clearance time from around 30 minutes to about five minutes.

Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can register for the service through the Immigration Department’s "HK e-Channel" mobile application, at on-site e-Channel enrolment offices or self-service kiosks at the port, or directly at the “collaborative inspection” automated channels.

Passengers are reminded that they must be registered for the Mainland’s e-Channel before using the “collaborative inspection” automated channels.


Assistant Director of Immigration (Control) Jacky Wong : 
At the beginning of the commissioning of the new Huanggang Port, our Immigration Department will arrange sufficient manpower and also the helpers at the scene to help the passengers to go through the whole registration process.

The whole registration process over the automated e-channel is very quick. I think it takes a few seconds to complete the whole process.

Voiceover : 
The Immigration Department also said that passengers must continue to carry valid travel documents conforming to the entry requirements of both regions.

Regarding vehicle clearance, the Customs & Excise Department stated that under the new clearance mode, departing vehicles will undergo customs risk assessment before entering the “joint one-stop” vehicle lanes.

These lanes feature a new three-gate design and equipped with “integrated information collection devices”. The systems simultaneously conduct body temperature checks, scan travel document data, and collect biometric features.

Drivers only need to present one identity document to complete the “five-party inspection” and secure a one-stop release.

The department estimates daily cross-boundary traffic will reach 8,000 vehicle trips.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise (Boundary & Ports) Chiang Yi-lee : 
With the commissioning of the new Huanggang Port, we expect there are more or less the same or even the vehicle throughput may be a bit higher. Hong Kong Customs has adopted a multi-pronged approach to tackle the expected increased traffic flow. For example, we will flexibly deploy our manpower and we will also closely monitor the ground situation in case there are some urgent or unexpected situations.

Eligible Hong Kong residents can enrol for the “collaborative inspection” automated channel service at the redeveloped Huanggang Port via the Immigration Department’s “HK e-Channel” mobile application from today.

To further enhance passenger experience and clearance efficiency, the facility will implement a co-location arrangement featuring a "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode.

Expected to be commissioned in this quarter, the redeveloped Huanggang Port is equipped with 134 “collaborative inspection” automated channels and 68 traditional manual counters. Using the automated channels, enrolled passengers only need to queue up and present their identity documents once to complete immigration clearance procedures for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Starting from today, Hong Kong residents aged seven or above who fulfil the following criteria can enrol for the service.

Individuals who have registered for the Mainland’s e-Channel and hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card paired with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (Home Visit Permit) or a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) are eligible.

Individuals holding a Hong Kong identity card and a Home Visit Permit who have registered for the Mainland’s e-Channel are also eligible. Finally, individuals holding a Hong Kong identity card and an “Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao” with a valid endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong can enrol.

Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can use a smartphone with biometric authentication technology to download the department’s “HK e-Channel” mobile application, select “Collaborative Inspection”, authenticate their identity via “iAM Smart”, and follow the instructions to complete enrolment for the service. For eligible Hong Kong residents aged seven to 17, parents or legal guardians must complete the enrolment procedures on their behalf using the “HK e-Channel” mobile application.

In addition, all eligible Hong Kong residents can proceed to the e-Channel enrolment offices or self-service kiosks at the Huanggang Port for on-site enrolment. Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can also enrol and complete the immigration clearance procedures for both regions simultaneously at the “collaborative inspection” automated channels.

Mainland visitors holding an “Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong & Macao” with a valid endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong can also proceed to the e-Channel enrolment offices at the Huanggang Port for on-site enrolment. Eligible Mainland visitors aged 18 or above can enrol and complete the immigration clearance procedures for both regions simultaneously at the “collaborative inspection” automated channels.

When enrolling for the “collaborative inspection” automated channel service, eligible Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors aged 14 or over can opt for the “Face Scan” clearance service, which removes the need to present identity documents.

With daily inbound and outbound passenger trips projected to reach at least 100,000 during the initial stage of operation, Assistant Director of Immigration (Control) Jackie Wong said that sufficient manpower would be deployed to guide passengers through the enrolment steps. “The whole registration process over the automated e-channel is very quick. I think it takes a few seconds to complete the whole process,” he added.

The department also reminds passengers they are still required to carry their valid travel documents conforming to the immigration requirements of both regions when using the new channels to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Furthermore, passengers can also choose to use the traditional manual counters for immigration clearance.

Regarding vehicle clearance, the Customs & Excise Department stated that under the new clearance mode, departing vehicles will undergo customs risk assessment before entering the “joint one-stop” vehicle lanes.

These lanes feature a new three-gate design and are equipped with “integrated information collection devices”. The systems simultaneously conduct body temperature checks, scan travel document data, and collect biometric features.

Drivers only need to present one identity document to complete the “five-party inspection” and secure a one-stop release. The department estimates daily cross-boundary traffic will reach 8,000 vehicle trips.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise (Boundary & Ports) Chiang Yi-lee said that Hong Kong Customs will adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle the expected increased traffic flow. “We will flexibly deploy our manpower and we will also closely monitor the ground situation in case there are some urgent or unexpected situations,” she said.