An automatic customs checking and clearance system to facilitate vehicle traffic between Shenzhen and neighboring Hong Kong came into force Monday, marking the first step in implementing the trade pact reached Sunday between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Zou Zhiwu, director of the Shenzhen customs office, said a series of measures were being prepared as part of the effort to fulfill the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), which focuses on goods and services trade, and the facilitation of both trade and investment between mainland and Hong Kong.

It is understood that the automatic system, installed at the Huanggang customs point, takes just five seconds to process each vehicle, either for entry or exit, raising efficiency 20-fold.

By the end of this year, similar systems will be installed at two other customs points.

Zou said the Shenzhen customs office will seek to further increase transit efficiency with the Customs and Exercise Department of Hong Kong through the exchange of electronic information and data, advanced technology, and better management.

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