What documents are needed to book a private transfer from Hong Kong to the Mainland? 2026 Passenger Manifest

When it comes to documents, check your bag 5 minutes before departure to avoid discovering that you have misplaced it at the checkpoint. Passengers with different identities use different documents, which are explained clearly below.

Hong Kong permanent residents

• Home Return Permit (Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents): Used to pass through the Mainland Customs
• Hong Kong Identity Card: used to pass Hong Kong customs
• No passport required (unless the destination is a country other than Hong Kong and Macao)

Pay attention to check the validity period of the return permit. If it expires, you will not be able to enter the mainland. Renewal of the permit can be done at the Exit-Entry Administration Office of the Public Security Bureau in various cities in the Mainland or at the China Travel Service in Hong Kong.

Mainland China residents

• Passport: used to pass Hong Kong customs (requires valid Hong Kong endorsement or visa exemption qualification)
• Home Return Permit (Hong Kong and Macau Pass): Some mainland residents use this permit to travel to and from Hong Kong, depending on the specific situation
• Hong Kong Endorsement: entry permit in passport, confirmation of validity and number of remaining times

Mainland residents need a valid Hong Kong visa to enter Hong Kong, and a tourist visa generally allows a stay of 7 days. The length of stay for business visas is different, please refer to the instructions on the visa page.

Foreigners (non-Chinese nationality)

• Passport: Use your passport when passing customs on both sides
• Chinese Visa: A valid Chinese visa is required to enter the mainland (some nationalities enjoy visa exemption or visa on arrival, please confirm before departure)
• Hong Kong is visa-free for most nationalities, with stays ranging from 14 to 90 days. Check by passport nationality

Common visa-free Mainland nationalities (as of 2026):

China currently implements a visa-free policy for some countries, including European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Visa-free stay is generally 15 days. For details, please refer to the latest announcements from the Chinese embassy abroad. The policy will be adjusted at any time, so please confirm it before departure.

Children

• Minors under 18 years old use their own passport or corresponding ID
• Home Return Permit for children of Hong Kong residents
• Passport + visa for foreign children
• Infants also need independent documents and cannot be attached to the parents’ documents

``` ✅ Document validity: at least 6 months (some checkpoints require longer) ✅ Endorsement/Visa: Confirm validity period, remaining number of times, and number of days of stay ✅ Document location: carry-on bag, do not put it on the bottom of the suitcase ✅Children’s IDs: Confirm separately, do not mix them with adult IDs ✅ Backup photos: 2 passport-size photos, in case temporary replacement materials are needed ```

Hong Kong Departure

While sitting in the car, the driver submits the vehicle documents. Passengers generally do not need to get out of the car to show their documents (customs may require inspection depending on the situation, so just cooperate).

Mainland Entry

Get off the bus on the Shenzhen side, enter the entry-exit hall, and scan your documents at the self-service channel or manual channel to pass the customs. Hong Kong residents and mainland residents holding return permits can use the self-service lanes, which are faster.