Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department - Single E-lock Scheme (SELS)

Introduction

C&ED further extended the facilitation under the Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (ITFS) by launching the Single E-lock Scheme (SELS) together with the Mainland Customs on 28 March 2016. Under the SELS, ITFS is interconnected with the Speedy Customs Clearance System(SCC System) of the Mainland Customs to build a "green lane" for facilitating logistics flow through seamless clearance service. One single e-lock and the technology of GPS as accredited by both Customs authorities are applied under the SELS on the principle of "Across the Boundary with One Single E-lock under Separate Monitoring" and hence duplicate inspection on the same shipment by both Customs authorities at the boundary would be reduced, which helps streamline the clearance process and expedite the flow of transhipment cargoes.

Furthermore, the Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme was officially launched on 17 July 2024. Following Guangdong Province and Hunan Province, Fujian Province is the third Mainland province to implement the Scheme, which has marked a new breakthrough in trade and clearance facilitation and co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland Customs.

Participation in the SELS is voluntary. Shippers or carriers who wish to join the SELS are required to register with the ITFS of C&ED and the SCC System of the Mainland Customs and install the e-lock and GPS equipment accredited by both Customs authorities on their vehicles.

The SELS was awarded the "Meritorious Award of the Departmental Service Enhancement Award" (Large Department category) in the "Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2017" organized by Civil Service Bureau.

SELS Video

Coverage

Items in the coverage of both ITFS of C&ED and SCC System of the Mainland Customs can be transhipped under the SELS.

"Transhipment cargo" means any imported article that –

is consigned on a through tranship bill of lading or a through tranship air waybill from a place outside Hong Kong to another place outside Hong Kong; and
is or is to be removed from the vessel, aircraft or vehicle in which it was imported and transferred to another vessel, aircraft or vehicle before being exported, it is to be transferred directly between such vessels, but not include those to be landed in Hong Kong and stored at cargo terminals / container port after its importation, pending exportation. (i.e. warehousing is not allowed after importation to Hong Kong.)

The following items can be transhipped under the SELS:

General goods which are not controlled by any licence or permit;
Dutiable commodities with permits;
Controlled chemicals with permits; and
Cargoes under the Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme.

Pamphlet

Pamphlet of the SELS (Only available in Chinese)

Clearance Points under the SELS

Currently, the Single E-lock Scheme covers 87 clearance points, including 67 in Guangdong province, 4 in Hunan province, 3 in Fujian province and 13 in Hong Kong, providing the trade with over 900 routes for conveying transhipment cargo across the boundaries.

Clearance Points in Hong Kong

Air Mail Centre
Asia Airfreight Terminal
Asia Container Terminals
Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal
COSCO-HIT Terminals
DHL Central Asia Hub
DP World
Hong Kong International Airport Express Cargo Terminal
Hong Kong International Terminals
Kwai Chung Customhouse
Modern Terminals
River Trade Terminal
Super Terminal 1

Clearance Points in Mainland China

Only available in Chinese

Crossing control points under the SELS

Single E-Lock and GPS Equipment

In addition to the operation of mechanical lock, the multiple flow control processes of e-lock is a distinctive feature that enables separate monitoring of Customs authorities in absolute integrity yet independent from each other so as to ensure seamless and secured monitoring when the transhipment cargo is conveyed across the boundary. Taking an example of Air-Land northbound transhipment mode, the transhipment cargoes arriving Hong Kong by air will be loaded to a cross-boundary vehicle after Customs clearance. An e-lock affixed to the vehicle will be automatically activated and GPS equipment will be used for tracking the movement of the vehicle to ensure the security of the cargoes during the journey within the Hong Kong territory. If no irregularities are detected during the journey, the e-lock will be automatically deactivated at the exit point. The e-lock will be automatically activated again after passing through the entry point of Mainland China. Upon arrival at the clearance point of the Mainland under the SELS, the e-lock will be deactivated.

C&ED welcomes all shippers or carriers to join the SELS. Prior registration of participating vehicles with Hong Kong and Mainland Customs authorities is necessary. The vehicles concerned should be equipped with e-lock and GPS accredited by both Customs authorities. Vehicles registered under the SELS are also subject to inspection by C&ED.

Suppliers of Single E-lock and GPS Equipment

The following models of e-lock/GPS equipment have been approved by C&ED to be acceptable for use under the SELS:

Supplier:	Long Sun Logistics Development Limited Room 909-910, 9/F, Dominion Centre, 43-59 Queens Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong [Telephone: (852) 3421 0228 / 6951 7006] [Fax: (852) 3426 3666]

Model no.:
LX-08-II C (E-Lock)

Model no.:
LX-06-HK (GPS device)

Unless otherwise stated in specific circumstances, C&ED welcomes interested parties to join the fleet of accredited SELS equipment suppliers for making accreditation arrangement and supplying equipment to the participants under the SELS.

Current Participants of the SELS

Criteria for Enrolment, Registration and Costs to Participants

Criteria for Enrolment and Registration

Participation in the SELS is voluntary. Parties wishing to join the SELS shall fulfill the following requirements:

Shippers or carriers shall be the registered users of both ITFS of C&ED and SCC System of the Mainland Customs;
Vehicles shall be installed with e-lock cum GPS equipment accredited by both Customs authorities;
For registration, please complete the Online Application Form; or
Submit the completed Registration Form and supporting document in person or by post to:
Road Cargo Research Division at Room 3005, 30/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road.

Costs to Participants

C&ED will not impose any charge on participants. However, suppliers of e-lock and GPS equipment may impose a service charge for the use of such equipment on vehicles. Please consult individual e-lock supplier for the service charge.

Enquiries