The systems' X-ray energy is capable of penetrating solid steel over 200 millimetres thick.

It takes just a few minutes to scan a fully-loaded container truck. Within 20 minutes, its details will be clearly revealed on the screen. This saves time: A thorough manual search takes three to four hours.

The system allows Customs officers to easily detect any unmanifested consignment, false compartment or altered structure.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Raymond Wong said the system will substantially speed up the clearance process and strengthen the department's capability in detecting smuggling activities.

"This is extremely vital to Lok Ma Chau Control Point, the busiest of all the land boundary control points," he said. In 2002, it handled 18,447 goods vehicles a day, an increase of 8.6 % over 2001.

Costing about $113.8 million, the new systems can scan up to 20 vehicles an hour. Based on the manifest copies drivers present, Customs will select which vehicles must undergo the scan. 

Currently, the average clearance rate for goods vehicles at Lok Ma Chau Control Point is about 120 per lane per hour.

Mr Wong believes the new system will ensure the processing of more goods vehicles. This should result in effectively suppressing cross-boundary smuggling activities while providing efficient vehicle and cargo clearance to legitimate traders.