ROCARS (Road Cargo System)
ROCARS (the Road Cargo System) is Hong Kong Customs' system for advance electronic submission of cargo information for road cargo crossing the Hong Kong–Mainland China boundary. Before a truck reaches the control point, the shipper (or an agent) lodges the cargo details electronically and obtains a Unique Reference Number, which the truck driver presents at the boundary.
ROCARS lets Customs perform risk assessment before arrival, so compliant cargo can flow smoothly across the busy land boundary while Customs targets higher-risk consignments — speeding clearance and reducing congestion at the crossings. It applies to import, export and transhipment road cargo (with limited exemptions). For businesses moving goods by road between Hong Kong and the mainland (a huge trade flow feeding the Pearl River Delta), ROCARS lodgement is a mandatory step, and integrating it into forwarding and trucking operations is important for smooth cross-boundary movement. It is a key part of Hong Kong's efficient land-border trade with China.
Vast volumes of cargo cross the Hong Kong–mainland land boundary by road, and ROCARS is what keeps it flowing — advance electronic data lets Customs pre-assess risk so compliant trucks clear fast. For anyone trucking goods across that boundary it is a mandatory lodgement, making it essential to smooth cross-boundary logistics with the Pearl River Delta.
What is ROCARS used for?
Lodging advance electronic cargo information for road cargo crossing the Hong Kong–Mainland boundary, so Customs can pre-assess risk and speed clearance.
Who lodges the ROCARS data?
The shipper or their agent, before the truck arrives, obtaining a Unique Reference Number the driver presents at the boundary.