Streamlined procedures are now in place for scrutiny of privately-owned light vehicles using the Macao-Hengqin border checkpoint – known as the Lotus Flower Bridge – that links Macao and Hengqin in Zhuhai Prefecture.

The new measure means eligible private light vehicles – i.e., those with Macao and Zhuhai licence plates – only need undergo one check per crossing.

Prior to the new arrangements, such cross border journeys involved a check of the vehicle on both sides of the border.

The mutual recognition – by the two jurisdictions – of vehicle screening results was part of the Government’s effort to speed clearance at checkpoints, said a representative of the Macao Customs Service at a press conference on Tuesday (24 May).

It also involved greater cooperation and increased exchange of information with counterpart agencies in Guangdong Province. This could be an important development with regard to Macao-registered vehicles entering Hengqin, the representative added.