Southbound Travel Scheme Doubles Daily Quota and Adds Five Mainland Cities

From 25 July the “Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” (STGV) scheme has been expanded to cover five additional GBA cities – Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing – and the cap on cars allowed to enter Hong Kong’s urban area has been lifted from 100 to 200 per day. The relaxation means residents of all nine mainland GBA municipalities may now apply online to bring private cars into the SAR for up to three days. Mainland applicants must hold a PRC identity card, own a non-commercial vehicle with fewer than eight seats and secure cross-border insurance recognised by both jurisdictions. After digital approval they can choose an entry slot via the Transport Department’s booking portal and drive across the HZMB Zhuhai Port. Hong Kong authorities have created dedicated STGV lanes and pledged one-minute clearance times using e-toll and licence-plate recognition technology. Officials expect the move to turbo-charge summer family tourism and retail spending. Border statistics already show cumulative STGV traffic of nearly 20,000 car trips since the pilot began, with weekend peaks. Logistics experts note the policy lowers the barrier for cross-border SME owners who need to shuttle samples or equipment, and may influence where multinationals base regional service teams. Corporate mobility managers should update travel policies to include STGV eligibility, ensure drivers carry bilingual insurance documents and remind staff that Hong Kong’s road-traffic ordinance – including congestion-zone restrictions – applies. As quotas are likely to fill quickly on public-holiday weekends, early booking is advisable. The Transport Department says utilisation data will guide future quota adjustments.