After years of talk about the new checkpoint, we are finally at the last stage. The new Policy Address proposes that the new Huanggang Port is expected to commence service in the fourth quarter of this year, and sources say the authorities are aiming for the earliest clearance on October 12. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said in a television interview on September 20 that the new port has undergone multiple rounds of large-scale drills since August, with overall operational testing running smoothly. The authorities are now adjusting the computer systems and hope to finalise the specific clearance date as soon as possible.
For Hong Kong people who frequently travel north, the biggest significance of the new Huanggang Port is: 24 hours, co-location, 5-minute clearance, and you can take a bus directly to the port interchange without needing to transfer to the "Huang Bus".
Latest Situation: Drills Completed, Awaiting Announcement of Clearance Date
Tang Ping-keung noted that the new port is equipped with multiple clearance verification machines and "five-in-one lanes", and needs to work with facial recognition technology. Details such as camera positions require fine-tuning, so time is needed for testing. As for the exact opening date, it is still subject to the authorities' announcement — meaning that "October 12" is currently at the rumour stage and has not been officially confirmed. Friends planning to cross via Huanggang after the National Day holiday should remember to check the government announcement again before departure.
Four Major Upgrades at the New Port
| Item | New Huanggang Port |
|---|---|
| Clearance mode | Co-location, cooperative inspection with single release (only need to queue once and tap your document once) |
| Clearance time | Reduced from the current approximately 30 minutes to approximately 5 minutes |
| Daily passenger flow design | Increased from approximately 40,000 to approximately 200,000 passengers |
| Number of lanes | 134 "cooperative inspection" self-service lanes + 68 traditional manual counters |
Clearance Process: Three Gates, Facial Recognition Only for Ages 14 and Above
The new port adopts the "cooperative inspection, single release" model. When using self-service lanes, travellers must pass through three gates: the first gate "reads the document" or "scans the face" to confirm eligibility; the second gate collects facial features and fingerprints; the third gate verifies identity and completes both sides' immigration clearance simultaneously. The facial recognition mode is only available to persons aged 14 or above. Those bringing children must use the traditional manual counters.
7 Franchised Bus Routes (From $10.5)
| Route | Operator | Destination | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| B10 | KMB | Kwai Chui Estate (via Tai Lam Tunnel Interchange, Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong) | $12.1 |
| B11 | KMB | Tin Fu (via San Tin, Yuen Long Town Centre, Tin Shui Wai) | $10.5 |
| B12 | NLB | Wu Kai Sha Station (via Tai Po, Science Park, Ma On Shan) | $21.0 |
| B13 | Citybus | Siu Sai Wan Island Resort (via North Point, Sai Wan Ho, Chai Wan) | $27.6 |
| B14 | Citybus | Kai Tak Olympic Avenue (peak hours only) | $20.8 |
| B15 | Citybus | Castle Peak Bay (via Hung Shui Kiu, Tuen Mun Town Centre, holidays only) | $15.5 |
| NB73 | KMB | Sha Tin Town Centre (overnight route, via Sheung Shui Station, Tai Po) | $22.6 |
Among them, B13 is the first bus route from Hong Kong Island East directly to Huanggang, with boarding points at North Point, Sai Wan Ho and Chai Wan; B11 has the cheapest fare, at $10.5 you can travel from Tin Shui Wai or Yuen Long to the port in one journey. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said that from the new Huanggang Port, it takes about 25 minutes by bus to the Tai Lam Tunnel Interchange, and she believes it will become an important interchange hub.
6 Green Minibus Routes (Cheapest at $9.7)
| Route | Service Hours | Destination | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44B | Daytime | Tuen Mun Station | $15.7 |
| 44B1 | Daytime | Tuen Mun Ferry Pier | $15.7 |
| 78 | Daytime | Pat Heung Road (near Tai Lam Tunnel) | $9.7 |
| 79S | Overnight | Tin Shui Wai (Chun Wang Court) | $14.6 |
| N44B | Overnight | Tuen Mun Ferry Pier | $15.7 (early morning hours $21.7) |
| 616S | Overnight | Mong Kok | $28.5 |
Route 78 minibus is the cheapest option among all public transport. Currently, travelling from Pat Heung Road to Huanggang requires taking Route 78 to San Tin first, then transferring to the "Huang Bus", costing about $19.7 one way; in future, a direct single journey will cost only $9.7, saving almost half.
Huang Bus Retires, Taxis Can Enter Directly
The new port allows vehicles to drive directly into the public transport interchange inside the joint inspection building, so the long-serving "Lok Ma Chau–Huanggang Cross-boundary Shuttle Bus (Huang Bus)" will officially retire. Urban taxis (red taxis) and New Territories taxis (green taxis) can both drive directly into the interchange in the Hong Kong-side port area. The port has a taxi queue parking area, and after alighting you can scan a QR code to book a taxi.
After Clearance: Direct Connection to Shenzhen Metro Line 7
The basement of the new port's joint inspection building will seamlessly connect to Shenzhen Metro Line 7; the Guangzhou–Dongguan–Shenzhen Intercity Railway (Airport–Qianhai section), expected to open by the end of the year, will also have a station at Huanggang. By then, you can travel directly from Huanggang to Qianhai, Nanshan, Bao'an Airport, and even to Dongguan and Guangzhou. After the MTR Northern Link spur line opens, the authorities estimate daily passenger flow could rise further to 300,000 passengers.
What Else Is Undecided? Study Underway on Extending Port Opening Hours
In addition to the new Huanggang Port, Hong Kong's first "Five-Year Plan" proposes seeking to extend the opening hours of land boundary control points. Tang Ping-keung mentioned that Shenzhen Bay Port currently only provides 24-hour clearance on special days such as New Year's Eve, and the two sides are studying room to expand the arrangement; as for the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Port, which currently operates from 07:00 to 22:00, there are public calls for earlier opening to facilitate cross-boundary students, or for extending service hours, and Hong Kong and Shenzhen will continue discussions.
How Is It Different from the Current Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port?
Currently, when crossing via Huanggang from Hong Kong, you first take a vehicle to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) and then transfer to the "Huang Bus" to enter the Shenzhen side, queuing twice and transferring once throughout the journey. After the new port implements co-location, travellers only need to queue once and tap their document once in the same joint inspection building to complete both sides' procedures. Clearance time is reduced from about 30 minutes to about 5 minutes, and buses drive directly into the port interchange, so you step off right at the building. For daily cross-boundary commuters, or those rushing north for a weekend meal, what is saved is not just time, but also the physical effort of transferring.
What to Note for Overnight Clearance?
The new port operates 24 hours, but that does not mean all connecting transport runs overnight: among the 7 franchised bus routes, only NB73 is an overnight route, and among green minibuses only 79S, N44B and 616S run overnight. After the remaining routes stop service, you will need to rely on taxis or ride-hailing cars. For overnight clearance, it is advisable to first check the last bus time of each route, or scan the code at the port to book a taxi from the queue.
FAQ
When will the new Huanggang Port officially open for clearance?
The Policy Address says the fourth quarter of this year. Sources say the target is as early as October 12, but this has not been officially confirmed. The actual date is subject to government announcement.
Is the new port open 24 hours?
Yes. The new Huanggang Port is positioned as the only purely passenger land boundary control point operating 24 hours between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and it has 5 short-haul cross-boundary bus services operating 24 hours.
How do I get to the new Huanggang Port from Hong Kong Island East?
You can take Citybus Route B13, departing from Siu Sai Wan and passing through North Point, Sai Wan Ho and Chai Wan. The fare is $27.6.
Can children use facial recognition at self-service lanes?
The facial recognition mode is only for persons aged 14 or above. Those under 14 must use the traditional manual counters.
Routes, fares and opening dates are subject to the latest announcements by the Transport Department and the respective port operators.
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