Beijing grants freer access to Hong Kong and Macau yachts in Greater Bay Area

Yachts from Hong Kong and Macau will enjoy easier access to nine mainland Chinese cities within the Greater Bay Area, thanks to a new pilot scheme that took effect on Friday. The central government has approved temporary ship registrations and removed the requirement for customs guarantees for these vessels.

The nine cities included in the scheme are Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. The State Council announced a "temporary adjustment" to two maritime ordinances to relax restrictions for yachts traveling between Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland.

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Under the new policy, the exemption [from] the requirement for a guarantee will significantly reduce the financial burden” on yacht owners.

The Hong Kong government welcomed the policy, stating that the exemption from customs guarantees will "significantly reduce the financial burden" on yacht owners. The simplified registration process, which allows yachts to obtain temporary national registration without affecting their original registration, was also praised.

Previously, owners faced hefty customs guarantees and complex registration procedures. This move aligns with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee's 2025 Policy Address, which proposed boosting the local yacht economy. The government has since announced plans for new yacht berths and bays to further develop the sector.

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Owners of Hong Kong and Macau yachts previously had to pay hefty customs guarantees and undergo complex registration procedures before entering mainland ports.