Registration on both sides of border needed for Huanggang ‘joint clearance’

Hong Kong residents and mainland Chinese nationals are required to register with immigration authorities on both sides of the border to utilize automated "joint clearance" channels at the upgraded Huanggang Port crossing. The revamped checkpoint, anticipated to commence operations on October 12, is projected to accommodate approximately 100,000 travelers daily during its initial phase, with capacity to expand to 300,000 passengers daily by 2034 when the northern MTR line launches.

Assistant Director Jacky Wong Ki of Hong Kong's Immigration Department stated that registration assistance will be provided at the checkpoint, with the entire registration process at the automated channel reportedly taking mere seconds to complete. The "joint clearance" system facilitates simultaneous departure and entry clearance procedures by presenting a single travel document and passing through a three-gated automated passage.

The revamped system aims to cut typical clearance time from around 30 minutes at the current Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang crossing to just five minutes at the upgraded Huanggang Port facility, while drivers' clearance time is expected to drop from 10 minutes to a mere two minutes.

Adult Hong Kong residents can register via the department's mobile app, at the automated channels' first gate, at an enrolment office on the fifth-floor departure hall, or at kiosks on the fourth-floor arrival hall and fifth floor. Mainland residents need to register with Hong Kong authorities at the enrollment office on the fifth floor or at the "joint clearance" channels' gates.

Drivers can complete the "joint one-stop" vehicle clearance lane, requiring permission for information collection upon placing their identity documents into an integrated information collection device.