Face-Scan Border System Expands to Two More Macau Ports in June 2026

Macau authorities have scheduled the rollout of the “Smart Clearance” face-scan system for Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port Zhuhai-Macau checkpoint beginning Friday June 27 2026 and this move brings the technology to two additional high-volume crossings while completing full face-scan capability across every one of the 204 joint automated inspection channels in the region.

The system first appeared at Hengqin Port in November 2025 and since that initial launch it has processed travelers without requiring physical identity documents once users complete a one-time registration that links their facial data to their travel records. Officials describe the process as stable after months of continuous use and the expansion decision follows directly from performance metrics recorded at the original site.

Background of the Smart Clearance Rollout

Observers note that the technology allows eligible travelers to move through automated gates by simply positioning their faces in front of cameras and the process replaces the previous requirement to present passports or other documents at each step. Data collected at Hengqin Port through June 24 2026 shows 310000 registered users who completed over 6.21 million passenger trips and these figures account for 42 percent of all volume handled through the automated channels at that location alone.

Authorities confirmed the numbers reflect consistent daily operation without reported disruptions and the same framework will now apply at the two new ports once the June 27 date arrives. The total count of 204 channels across Macau becomes fully face-scan enabled with this change and travelers who already registered at Hengqin will be able to use their profiles at the additional sites without further enrollment steps.

Operational Details at the New Locations

At Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port checkpoint the gates will activate the same recognition sequence that matches a traveler’s face against stored records while the system verifies entry or exit permissions in real time. Officials have indicated that signage and staff assistance will guide first-time users through the registration kiosks located near the inspection areas and those who complete the process gain access to the faster lanes on subsequent trips.

Because the technology operates across joint inspection channels the expansion affects both Macau and neighboring mainland checkpoints at the same facilities and this coordinated approach ensures travelers experience a single clearance flow regardless of which side of the border they are entering. The 42 percent share of automated traffic already handled at Hengqin provides a benchmark for expected volumes once the new sites open and authorities have prepared staffing levels accordingly.

Usage Statistics and System Performance

Figures released ahead of the expansion show that the Hengqin installation maintained steady throughput after its November 2025 debut and the recorded 6.21 million trips demonstrate that a substantial portion of eligible passengers now rely on the face-scan option rather than traditional document checks. The 310000 registered users represent individuals who completed the enrollment process and returned for multiple crossings which indicates the system has integrated into regular travel patterns for frequent border users.

According to operational statistics from the “Smart Clearance” system the technology continues to function without requiring physical documents after initial setup and this same model will apply at Qingmao and the bridge port checkpoint once activation occurs on June 27 2026. N/A (announced via authorities) confirms the timeline and the scale of the channel upgrades that bring the full network of 204 lanes online.

Future Implications for Border Crossings

With all automated channels now scheduled for face-scan capability the expansion marks the completion of a multi-site project that began at a single port in late 2025 and travelers who use the system at any of the three locations will benefit from the same registration database. Officials have stated that the technology supports both entry and exit procedures and the data collected at Hengqin through June 24 2026 serves as the reference point for planning at the remaining sites.

Conclusion

The June 27 2026 activation at Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port checkpoint extends a proven face-scan process to additional crossings and finalizes coverage across Macau’s entire network of 204 automated channels. Performance data from the original Hengqin installation shows 310000 registered users and more than 6.21 million trips completed by June 24 2026 which equals 42 percent of automated traffic at that facility. The expansion follows directly from these recorded results and applies the same registration and clearance sequence at the new locations without further changes to the underlying technology.