The latest 2025 guide to applying for Guangdong-Hong Kong dual license plates (including application instructions) is based on the latest Guangdong-Hong Kong border crossing guidelines and rules. It focuses on strengthening two core areas: "long-term maintenance" and "material checklist," as well as key aspects such as extension materials. This guide aims to better align the application process with the needs of businesses throughout their operations. Further optimizations have been made to the application process for dual license plates.

I. Core Optimization: Two main categories of license plates, clearly defined routes:

First, you must understand that Guangdong-Hong Kong license plates are mainly divided into two categories, applicable to completely different entities and directions. Their core differences are shown in the table below:

II. Latest Application Requirements and Policy Benefits in 2025

The core of this year's policy is to "lower the threshold" and "simplify the process," making the conditions more favorable for applying for any type of license plate.

　　1. FV License Plate Application Requirements (Mainland Vehicles Entering Hong Kong)

　　Tax threshold: This is the most crucial condition.

If applying for passage through land ports such as Shenzhen Bay, Liantang, and Shatoujiao , the company is required to have paid no less than RMB 1 million in taxes in the previous year .

for applying for passage through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge are more lenient: the previous requirement of "cumulative tax payment of 1 million yuan in the past three years" has been changed to simply paying 1 million yuan in tax in any one year within the past three years . The port uses a "queueing by tax payment" or "lottery first, then review" mechanism, and the higher the tax payment or the better the luck, the faster the approval will be.

　　Company Requirements: Must be a domestic enterprise registered in Guangdong Province.

　2. Application requirements for Guangdong Z license plates (Hong Kong vehicles entering Guangdong)

　Tax threshold:

To apply for Shenzhen Bay Port : the company's tax payment in the previous year must be no less than RMB 150,000 (for the first vehicle) . For every additional RMB 500,000, one more vehicle can be applied for, up to a maximum of 15 vehicles.

Applying for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge port of entry : The threshold is the lowest, requiring only that the company's cumulative tax payment over the past three years reaches RMB 100,000 . A lottery or ranking mechanism also applies.

　Major policy dividends:

　　High-tech enterprise incentives: National high-tech enterprises (especially foreign-invested high-tech enterprises) can apply for Guangdong Z license plates directly without paying taxes .

　　No more tax verification for extensions: Starting in November 2024, when applying for the extension of investment-type vehicle license plates, the company's tax situation will no longer be verified . Only the approval card is required, which greatly reduces the long-term burden on companies to maintain their license plates.

　　3. " Guangdong Vehicles Heading South " Plan (Short-Term Personal Travel)

"Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" scheme was launched in 2025 for individuals . Private car owners in Guangdong (Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen) can obtain short-term entry permits to Hong Kong through a lottery system, with a maximum stay of 3 days per entry, suitable for short-term business or tourism. This is a separate channel parallel to the FV/FU license plates.

III. Optimization of the application process in 2025

The entire application process is now online, improving approval efficiency by 50% and allowing processing to be completed in as little as one month.

(a) Online application (3 business days)

Log in to the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Traffic Management Bureau's government service website , fill in the vehicle information (license plate number, vehicle identification number), vehicle owner information, and upload scanned copies of the following materials:

ID card/return permit, vehicle registration file, and tax payment certificate (required for businesses).

        　　Tip for experienced car owners: Scanned documents must be clear, especially the QR code on the vehicle registration file, otherwise they will be returned for resubmission.

(II) Submit materials in person (1 day)

After the application is approved, bring the paper materials (online application receipt, original ID card, vehicle registration certificate, etc.) to the Guangdong Provincial Traffic Management Bureau's certificate processing hall (Guangzhou) for submission.

        　　Agency option: You can entrust an agency to handle the matter without having to be present in person.

(III) Hong Kong vehicle inspection and insurance (1-2 days)

With the receipt, take the vehicle to the Hong Kong Yuen Long Inspection Company for inspection. The main inspection will check the vehicle's safety (modified vehicles must be restored to their original condition).

After the vehicle passes inspection, you need to purchase mainland compulsory traffic accident liability insurance and commercial insurance on-site (this is mandatory, otherwise you cannot register the vehicle), which costs approximately HKD 1,000.

(iv) Obtaining approval documents and certificates (2 working days)

After the vehicle inspection is passed, take the acceptance receipt and the unopened vehicle inspection envelope back to the Guangdong Provincial Traffic Management Bureau's certificate processing hall in Guangzhou, pay the processing fee (approximately 500 RMB for the license plate + vehicle registration certificate + license plate), and receive the Guangdong Z license plate, mainland vehicle registration certificate, and black dual-license plate.

(v) Guangdong-Hong Kong Customs Filing (Key Step)

        　Hong Kong Registration : Take the permit card and Hong Kong vehicle registration certificate to the Hong Kong Transport Department to apply for the "Restricted Area Pass" (clearance certificate).

        Mainland China filing: Submit customs filing online, and the system will automatically synchronize it to border inspection (there is about a 10% chance of synchronization failure, in which case you need to bring your approval card to Shenzhen Customs for on-site re-entry).

(vi) Driver registration (driver must be present in person)

Bring your driver's license card, ID card, and return permit to the driver registration window at Huanggang Customs in Shenzhen to have your photo taken, fingerprints recorded, and receive your driver registration card.

(vii) Install electronic tags (10 minutes)

Drive to the Huanggang Customs electronic tag installation point, present your approval card and vehicle registration certificate to install vehicle electronic identification tags (one each for the front and rear of the vehicle), and simultaneously install a chip on the driver's card.

　　IV. Ports of entry and timetable

The following is the opening schedule of the major border crossings between Guangdong and Hong Kong to help customers plan their time accordingly:

V. Key Precautions

　　Authenticity of materials: All materials must be authentic and valid. False information will result in application rejection and affect subsequent applications. FV plates require left-hand drive vehicles from mainland China, while Guangdong Z plates require right-hand drive vehicles from Hong Kong. Unauthorized modification of the steering wheel is strictly prohibited. Vehicles with more than 9 seats or that do not meet environmental standards will not be approved.

　　Port selection: The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge port has the lowest tax threshold and relatively ample quotas, making it the first choice for most companies. However, traditional popular ports like Shenzhen Bay may have longer waiting times. Choose a port based on your specific circumstances (e.g., Shenzhen Bay is close to Nanshan, while Liantang offers convenient access to Luohu and Yantian).

　Insurance Purchase: Vehicles cannot be inspected without mainland China insurance; please prepare in advance.

　　Comply with usage restrictions: You must adhere to the regulations regarding the number of days you can stay (FV plates cannot stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days per year, and Guangdong Z plates cannot stay in Guangdong for more than 90 days per trip) and the driving range (Guangdong Z plates cannot leave Guangdong). Violations will result in penalties such as points deduction, plate suspension, or even revocation.

　　Registration synchronization: After registration with the mainland customs, it is necessary to check whether it is synchronized with the border inspection. If it fails, it needs to be re-entered on-site.

　　Driver registration: The driver must be present in person for the first time; registration cannot be done by proxy.

VI. Conclusion

2025 presents a favorable window for applying for dual Guangdong-Hong Kong vehicle license plates. It is recommended that companies first determine their target license plate type based on their own qualifications (tax payment, vehicles, drivers), assess the time and effort required, and then decide whether to apply themselves or seek a professional agency.