IoT System Case Study: Cross-Boundary Fast Clearance Security System
Since November 2012, LSCM has assisted Hong Kong Customs with the trial of the “Single E-Lock Scheme” with Mainland Customs. Through the deployment of secure IoT systems, we set out to connect Hong Kong Customs’ Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (ITFS) with the Speedy Customs Clearance (SCC) system used by Mainland Customs. Under this scheme, the processing time for customs clearance of registered trucks at land boundary control points can be reduced from two hours to a few minutes.
Until now, the scheme has been extended to 65 clearance points in Guangdong province, including the Guangzhou Nansha Free Trade Zone, the Jiangmen International Electronic Commerce Express Mail Sorting Clearance Centre, and Guangzhou Airport. The scheme also passes through 13 clearance points in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong International Terminals and the Kwai Chung Customhouse, and offers over 1,000 express intermodal transportation routes. Up to August 2025, more than 8.1 million cargo shipments have been handled under SELS, while over 89.4 million cargo shipments have been handled under ITFS.
Since the official launch of the “Single E-Lock Scheme” in late March 2016 by both Customs authorities, the IoT Cross-Boundary Fast-Clearance system developed by LSCM has streamlined customs clearance processes. By leveraging integrated IoT systems and E-Lock technology, customs clearance between Hong Kong and Guangdong has become more convenient, efficient, and most importantly, secure.
The continuous increase of clearance points under the Scheme in Guangdong Province will further expedite cargo flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland and strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international trading and logistics hub. Different types of enterprises are encouraged to make full use of the Scheme, the E-Lock infrastructure, and the expanded clearance point network to capitalise on business opportunities brought about by developments in the Greater Bay Area.
E-Lock Technology for IoT Systems in Hong Kong
LSCM is proud to have facilitated the development of E-Lock technology for the betterment of the secure IoT system in Hong Kong.
This innovative E-Lock technology was developed to support multiple control processes and ensure secure operation across different customs controls. Within these interconnected IoT systems, the use of asymmetric keys ensures the operational security of the activation and deactivation of each E-Lock device.
Easy to operate and highly effective, this solution has improved security and efficiency across the sector’s operations. The E-Lock has won the silver medal at the 45th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, held from 29 March to 2 April 2017.
If you have any questions about how LSCM promotes innovation across multiple industries through advanced IoT systems and secure E-Lock applications, feel free to contact us.
Imagine a world where objects around us, such as thermostats, refrigerators, and even streetlights, are connected to the internet and can communicate with each other. These devices have sensors or embedded technology that allows them to collect and transmit data. For example, a smart thermostat can monitor temperature and adjust itself accordingly, while a wearable fitness tracker can measure your heart rate and track your physical activity.
How do IoT systems work?
At the core of IoT systems are connected devices. These can be everyday objects, such as thermostats, lights, vehicles, or industrial equipment, that are equipped with sensors or small computers. In logistics applications, these devices may include secure E-Lock mechanisms that monitor and communicate cargo status.
These sensors collect information from their surroundings, such as temperature, humidity, or motion. The collected data is then processed by the device itself or sent to a central hub called a gateway. The gateway acts as a bridge between devices within IoT systems and the internet.
Next, the data travels through the internet to cloud servers. Cloud servers are powerful computers that store and analyse data from various sources. They process the data, extract meaningful insights, and trigger appropriate actions based on predefined rules or algorithms. Once the data is analysed, it can be accessed and utilised by users through applications or interfaces. For example, you can control your smart home devices using a smartphone app or receive alerts about unusual events. Within customs applications, this enables E-Lock status updates to be securely monitored across jurisdictions.
The communication between the devices, gateways, cloud servers, and user interfaces happens through various networks, such as Wi-Fi, cellular networks, or Bluetooth. These networks enable the devices to connect to the internet and transmit data securely and reliably.
In simpler terms, IoT systems work by connecting devices to the internet, collecting data from their surroundings, sending that data to a central processing hub, analysing it, and providing useful information or triggering actions based on the analysis.