Hong Kong-Macau Cars Get 5-Year Extension to Drive in Mainland, May 31

Guangdong Province extended the Hong Kong-Macau vehicle policy by five years to June 2031 on May 31. The State Council also approved new rules allowing Hong Kong and Macau yachts to sail freely across nine mainland cities without collateral. These moves boost cross-border mobility as traffic through Zhuhai checkpoints surges past 170 million vehicle trips this year, up 11% from 2025.

Vehicle Policy Gets Five-Year Extension

The Guangdong government extended the Hong Kong-Macau car policy through June 1, 2031. The original policy, which started June 1, 2023, was set to expire June 2026. Hong Kong vehicle owners can now continue driving across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge into Guangdong after obtaining advance approval from Hong Kong authorities.

Data shows the policy is widely used. Through May 25, 2026, Hong Kong cars crossed the bridge 4.96 million times. Zhuhai border officials processed over 600 million vehicle crossings this year, up 15% year-over-year. Hong Kong and Macau vehicles accounted for 170 million of those trips, a 11% increase.

Yachts Win Collateral Exemption and Dual Registration

The State Council approved two major yacht benefits on May 29. Hong Kong and Macau yachts no longer need to post financial collateral when entering nine mainland cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. They also gain temporary mainland ship registration, allowing dual registration without canceling their original Hong Kong or Macau papers.

The temporary registration lasts up to one year. Yachts can enter and exit multiple times within that period, but cannot stay longer than 180 days per visit or 180 days total per year. Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau said the collateral waiver will cut costs for yacht owners significantly.

Border Crossings Hit Record Pace

Zhuhai border officials processed 100 million people by May 30, beating last year’s pace by 16 days. Mainland tourists to Hong Kong and Macau numbered 55 million, up 9% year-over-year. Hong Kong and Macau residents entering mainland totaled 42 million, up 10%.

Face recognition technology now powers one in five crossings. The Zhuhai border processed 18 million facial recognition scans this year. Horizontal Qin Port saw the biggest growth, handling 15 million people year-to-date, a 30% jump. Officials say the 2026 forecast calls for 20 million foreign visitors crossing through Zhuhai ports.

Economic Gains Expected From Yacht Freedom

Analysts predict the yacht policy will unlock billions in spending. When Hong Kong and Macau yachts dock in mainland ports, owners and guests spend on dining, lodging, shopping, and entertainment. Zhongshan University researcher Zheng Tianxiang said ports could see hundreds of millions in annual tourism revenue if yacht visits become routine.

The Pingsha Yacht Industrial Park in Zhuhai offers maintenance and repairs at lower cost than Hong Kong. Yachts can sail from Hong Kong to Pingsha in about three hours. The park already has the full supply chain: design, manufacturing, sales, and repair. Guangdong is also negotiating with Hong Kong and Macau to recognize each other’s yacht captain licenses, eliminating the need for mainland license conversion.

Final Thoughts

Hong Kong and Macau drivers and yacht owners gain five more years of mainland access with lower barriers. The policies reflect Beijing’s push to integrate the Greater Bay Area, with cross-border traffic already surging 11% this year.

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