In the ongoing integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the policy threshold for dual-license plates between Guangdong and Hong Kong is being continuously raised. Claims that Guangdong companies can directly obtain dual-license plates are considered rumors and misinformation. Given this mixed information environment, companies need a clear framework to determine their eligibility for which type of license plate and which port of entry to apply to based on their location. This article provides a comprehensive solution from a practical perspective, helping clients to accurately position themselves rather than offering haphazard recommendations.

1. Identify the license plate type and choose the correct direction.

When applying for a dual Guangdong-Hong Kong license plate, two questions need to be clarified first: who will be driving, and where is the vehicle traveling from and to?

Then, depending on the prevailing circumstances and the different directions, because the applicant entity makes a significant difference, choosing the wrong type is equivalent to going in the wrong direction.

        (a) Application for FU license plates for mainland vehicles entering Hong Kong

        Direction of travel : Mainland vehicles heading towards Hong Kong (left-hand drive vehicles)

        Applicable entities : Domestic enterprises (including state-owned enterprises and private enterprises) registered in Guangdong Province. Individuals cannot apply directly.

        Vehicle requirements : Passenger vehicles with 7 seats or less, left-hand drive, registered in mainland China, and owned by the applicant company.

        Driver requirements : Mainland residents holding a Mainland driver's license and a Hong Kong driver's license, and must also have a Hong Kong and Macau business visa (valid for ≥1 year).

        Travel scope : Mainland China + Hong Kong (the cumulative stay in Hong Kong per year shall not exceed 360 days, a significant relaxation from the previous 180 days).

        (ii) Guangdong Z license plates: Hong Kong vehicles entering Guangdong

        Direction of travel : Hong Kong vehicles heading towards Guangdong (right-hand drive vehicles)

        Applicable entities : Hong Kong/foreign-invested enterprises (with actual investment in Guangdong Province); from 2026 onwards, Hong Kong permanent residents can also apply directly.

        Vehicle requirements : Passenger vehicles with 7 seats or less, right-hand drive, registered in Hong Kong.

        Driver requirements : Hong Kong resident, holding both Hong Kong and mainland China driver's licenses and a Mainland Travel Permit.

        Driving area : Guangdong Province + Hong Kong. Temporary license plate required for travel outside Guangdong Province.

II. Based on your own situation, determine the tax threshold for your enterprise and formulate port regulations.

After determining the license plate type, the next step is to assess the tax requirements and, based on the tax situation, choose the most suitable port of entry.

(a) FV/FU license plates (for domestic enterprises)

Data source: Policy guidance from the Traffic Management Bureau of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, 2026.

        Practical suggestions:

If a company's cumulative tax payment over the past three years meets the target but not in the previous year → the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge port will be given priority.

If the previous year's tax payment target was met, you can choose between the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Shenzhen Port.

It should be noted that domestic enterprises in Guangdong Province can only apply for a maximum of two new FU license plate quotas – one from one of the three quota-issuing ports in Shenzhen (choose one), and the other can only be a quota from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

        Exemption Channel (New Policy in 2026): Foreign-invested high-tech enterprises and enterprises registered in the Shenzhen Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone can enjoy a 50% tax reduction. Enterprises with annual tax payment of ≥ RMB 400,000 at the Shenzhen Bay Port can apply, and enterprises with cumulative tax payment of ≥ RMB 500,000 in the past 3 years at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port can apply.

(ii) Guangdong Z license plates (Hong Kong/Foreign-invested enterprises)

Data source: Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Traffic Management Bureau Policy, 2026

        Exemption pathway (2026 new policy):

        Foreign-invested high-tech enterprises : No tax is required; they can directly apply for a Guangdong Z license plate.

        Individual application channel : Hong Kong permanent residents can directly apply for 1-2 Guangdong Z license plates without business qualifications or tax payment requirements.

        Donation Channel : Individuals who donate a cumulative total of 3 million yuan or more to Guangdong Charity, or groups that donate 10 million yuan or more, will be eligible for one quota.

Third step: Understand special circumstances and evaluate alternative solutions

If the standard tax requirements are not met, or the application process is too long, the following alternative paths can be considered:

        (i) Acquiring companies that already hold vehicle license plate quotas

Vehicle license plates in both locations are linked to specific business entities and cannot be directly transferred. However, they can be obtained indirectly by acquiring a company that holds the license plate quota or by changing the company's equity . But please note the following:

Due diligence must be conducted on the authenticity of the target company's tax payments to avoid assuming hidden debts or tax risks.

Equity changes must comply with regulations; it is recommended to hire a professional agency for assistance.

The acquisition cost is high and requires comprehensive evaluation.

        (II) Application Qualification/Talent Category Indicators

Individuals or businesses that meet one of the following conditions may apply directly without being required to pay taxes:

Foreign-invested high-tech enterprises (Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan or foreign investors in high-tech enterprises within Guangdong Province)

Hong Kong residents holding the "Talent Excellence Card A"

Those who meet the standards for public welfare donations to Guangdong

        (III) Consider the FT model ("Guangdong vehicles heading south")

For Guangdong individual car owners who only need to travel to Hong Kong for short periods (such as tourism, visiting relatives, or short-term business), the FT model offers a more flexible option—a maximum stay of 3 days per trip, reservation-based access, and no need to meet corporate tax requirements.

IV. Processing Procedures and Timeframe

Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, the application process for Guangdong-Hong Kong dual license plates is relatively standardized, but sufficient time should be allowed.

        Step 1: Material preparation (1-2 weeks)

        Required documents : "Application Form for Cross-Border Motor Vehicle Travel and Driving Permit between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao", driver's licenses from both regions and ID card/return permit, vehicle registration certificate and driver's license.

        Specific documents required for each company : Domestic companies need to provide a business license and tax payment certificate; foreign-invested companies need to provide a business license, foreign investment certificate, Hong Kong business registration certificate, and tax payment certificate.

It is recommended to start preparing tax payment certificates and other materials three months before applying, ensuring they are complete and clear.

        Step 2: Submit materials on-site

the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Traffic Management Bureau's certificate processing hall at the time notified by SMS to submit paper materials. In some areas, self-service kiosks can be used. Currently, self-service kiosks cover 11 prefecture-level cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, and Zhongshan, as well as the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

        Step 4: Review and Verification

The public security department will review the materials and may conduct on-site inspections of the company's operations . If there are any issues with the materials, you will be notified via SMS to make corrections.

        Step 5: Obtain the license and register the vehicle.

After approval, receive the approval notice. For FV/FU license plates: registration at the Guangdong Vehicle Management Office → vehicle inspection at Shenzhen Customs; for Guangdong Z license plates: registration at the Hong Kong Transport Department → vehicle inspection at Mainland Customs. Overall processing time : From application submission to receiving the license plate, it typically takes 2-3 months . Advance planning is recommended.

V. Compliance Management After Obtaining License Plate

Obtaining a license plate is only the first step; subsequent management is equally crucial. Negligence could result in the license plate being revoked.

        (a) Annual extension – a mandatory obligation

The permit card is valid for one year and must be extended upon expiration; otherwise, it will be automatically locked by the port management system and unable to clear customs. After the new policy in 2026, the tax assessment step for investment-related permit extensions has been eliminated, greatly simplifying the process. It is recommended to initiate the extension application within 30 days before the permit card expires .

        (II) 90-day round-trip rule – Special obligation for Guangdong Z license plates

Vehicles registered in Guangdong (粤Z) must make at least one round trip to Hong Kong every 90 days. Failure to comply will result in penalties – a fine of approximately 4% of the vehicle's market value.

        (iii) Annual stay limit for FV/FU vehicles: The cumulative number of days spent in Hong Kong each year shall not exceed 360 days. Entry and exit records must be kept to avoid exceeding the limit.