Following the launch of “Smart Clearance” at the Hengqin Port last year, Macau will extend this new clearance mode to the Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port (Zhuhai-Macau checkpoint) starting this Friday.
The “Smart Clearance” introduced by the Macau authorities mainly allows clearance via “Face Scan” without the need to use identity documents. This technology was first applied at the Hengqin Port on 5 November last year.
Macau’s Public Security Police Force pointed out that as of 24 June, the number of registered individuals for “Smart Clearance” at the Hengqin Port has reached 310,000 with a cumulative clearance volume of over 6.21 million passenger trips – accounting for 42% of the clearance volume through the joint automated inspection channels at the port.
The authorities noted that after more than half a year of operation, the “Smart Clearance” system is stable and the clearance process is smooth. The service will be officially launched this Friday at the Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macau Departure/Arrival Hall of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port.
Macau residents, Hong Kong permanent residents and mainland residents who are aged 14 or above and meet the criteria can use the joint automated inspection channels at the Hengqin Port, Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macau Departure/Arrival Hall of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port for “Face Scan” clearance after completing “Smart Clearance” registration.
The authorities also pointed out that after its launch on Friday, all 204 joint automated inspection channels in Macau will fully implement “Face Scan” clearance.
In recent years, Macau authorities have continuously improved the efficiency of customs clearance between the mainland and Macau. As early as 2023 iris recognition clearance was introduced at the Border Gate Port, which has the highest passenger flow in Macau.
It was subsequently extended to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (Hong Kong-Macau checkpoint), the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Taipa Ferry Terminal and the Macau International Airport, with a combined total of 152 second-generation iris automated channels.
