File photo of the  "second-tier" customs surveillance zones in the Guangdong - Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. (Provided to Newsgd.com)

At about 16:00 on the afternoon of December 6, the construction of the "second-tier" customs surveillance zones in the Guangdong - Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin officially started. With a total of seven customs surveillance zones in five “second-tier” channels, the overall project is expected to be completed before June 30 next year. 

7 customs surveillance zones in 5 “second-tier” channels

With a total investment of about 597 million yuan, Hengqin’s customs surveillance zones for the “second-tier” have a total area of about 245,400 square meters and a total construction area of about 28,800 square meters. 

There are 7 customs surveillance zones in 5 “second-tier” channels, located at Hengqin Bridge, Hengqin Tunnel, Deep Well Passage, Hengqin Wharf, Hengqin North Station on the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Urban Rail Extension Line as well as Hengqin Station and Zhuhai Changlong Station.

According to Xie Yingjun, acting deputy director of the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, said that the “second-tier” does not impose restrictions on the entry and exit of personnel. People don’t need to have their luggage checked when entering the island. And the policy on luggage check when leaving the island is still under consideration.

File photo of the  "second-tier" customs surveillance zones in the Guangdong - Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. (Provided to Newsgd.com)

Marking a critical step forward for the Zone

“The start of construction of the "second-tier" customs surveillance zones today marks a critical step forward for the Zone." Lei Wai Nong, director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, said that the executive committee of the Zone will strengthen the supervision and management of project's construction units, promote project construction on schedule, and make the cooperation zone more convenient for customs clearance. 

In early September, China's central authorities issued a general plan for building the Zone. According to the plan, goods moving inbound and outbound through “first-tier” between the Zone and Macao will be subject to registration-based management to simplify customs declaration procedures and elements further. 

In “second-tier," all tax-exempted (bonded) goods moving from the Zone through “second-tier” into the mainland territory are required to undergo customs clearance procedures as importated goods, tariffs and import duties will be imposed.

While for people, in “first-tier”, both sides will adopt the customs clearance mechanism of "Joint Inspection and One-Time Release" based on the agreement of both sides and, provided safety is ensured;customs clearance mechanisms, There will be no restrictions of people on entering and leaving “second-tier".

Reporter: Nan

Editor: Olivia, Jerry