LCQ16: Single E-lock Scheme

LCQ16: Single E-lock Scheme 
Question:
 
     The Customs and Excise Department officially launched the Single E-lock Scheme (SELS) together with the Mainland Customs since 2016, applying one single e-lock and the technology of global positioning system to reduce duplicate inspection on the same shipment by both Customs authorities at the boundary, thereby streamlining the clearance process. Currently, the number of clearance points has increased to 93. There are views pointing out that the SELS has significantly enhanced clearance efficiency and strengthened the transhipment function of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub, reinforcing its hub status of being “backed by the motherland and connected to the world”. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that the Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong SELS was officially launched in July 2024 to realise Xiamen cargo arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) directly, whether the Government will discuss with the Mainland authorities the establishment of more clearance points on the Mainland to expand the coverage of the SELS;
 
(2) given that the Zhuhai Airport International Intelligent Logistics Park officially commenced operations in June last year to further enhance the cargo connectivity between the Zhuhai Airport and the HKIA, whether the Government has plans to discuss with the Mainland authorities the inclusion of the Zhuhai Airport in the SELS’s customs clearance network; how the Government will co-ordinate with the Zhuhai authorities to upgrade air cargo facilities at cargo ports in implementing the SELS, thereby enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the dedicated Hong Kong-Zhuhai cross-boundary cargo route; and
 
(3) whether it will, on the basis of the SELS, further collaborate with the Mainland to enhance the functions of air cargo services at the various clearance points across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position as an international logistics hub?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     
(1) and (2) The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) has been actively extending the coverage of the Single E-lock Scheme with the Mainland Customs. Currently, the Scheme covers over 90 clearance points, including 13 in Hong Kong, 65 in Guangdong Province, four in Hunan Province, seven in Fujian Province and four in Macao. The two Customs authorities are preparing to extend the Scheme to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, providing the cargo freight and logistics sectors with more route options.
 
     The C&ED will continue to closely liaise with cargo freight and logistics sectors of Hong Kong through regular meetings with the Transshipment Cargo Clearance Facilitation Customer Liaison Group and organising seminars to enable the industry to better understand the Scheme. The C&ED would relay the industry’s views and business needs to the Mainland Customs, including establishment of additional clearance points in the Mainland. At present, Zhuhai Airport is not a clearance point under the Scheme.
 
(3) In addition to the Scheme, the Government and the Airport Authority Hong Kong are actively developing the sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment mode between the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Dongguan, and taking forward the construction of the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, to boost the use of Hong Kong air cargo services for transporting goods to and from the Mainland. Export cargo from the Mainland can go through security screening and cargo acceptance in the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park and then be transported seamlessly by sea to the HKIA for direct transshipment to overseas destinations. International air cargo may also be imported into the Mainland through the reverse process. This mode will allow cargo in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to be transported through a more seamless and convenient international air network and improve the efficiency of air cargo transshipment. The Government will actively co-operate with the Mainland authorities, explore various innovative facilitation schemes and enhance multimodal connectivity within the GBA, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position as an international aviation hub and international logistics hub.
Issued at HKT 14:10