Hongkongers brave long queues at petrol stations in mainland China as prices hit S$5.30 a litre

Hongkongers are surging over the border with mainland China in a bid to get cheaper petrol prices, causing long queues at stations in surrounding cities.

The price of petrol in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) has surged due to the war in Iran, with The Standard reporting that petrol prices have risen to HK$32.29 a litre, or S$5.30.

For context, according to Motorist.sg, the price for 95-octane petrol in Singapore is about S$3.40 a litre, having risen from around S$2.77 at the end of February, before the start of the Israeli and U.S. military strikes on Iran.

Three times cheaper

The Standard reports that Hong Kong drivers are travelling to surrounding counties outside of the SAR in order to take advantage of petrol prices that are up to three times cheaper than in the city.

It quotes honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, Ringo Lee, who said that he believed Hong Kong drivers will be motivated to cross the border weekly to refuel.

But he warned that the cost to commercial vehicles, which run on diesel fuel but are not permitted to cross the border, remain subject to the city’s high prices.

This would mean that higher fuel prices would be passed on to consumers, especially as many of these vehicles belong to the public transport and logistics sectors, particularly minibuses, taxis and ferries.

Lee called on the Hong Kong government to reduce fuel duties, but also to maintain greater transparency and oversight for petrol station profit margins in order to ensure fair pricing.

Long queues

But it's not just Hong Kong drivers who are worried about rising fuel prices.

China’s social media is replete with videos of long, snaking lines at petrol stations.

This is despite China’s government raising fuel duty prices in recent days, with many Chinese motorists, including those from Hong Kong, expecting fuel prices and duties to continue rising.

In some places, petrol stations had run out of lower grade 92-octane petrol, with one picture showing that even the more expensive 95-octane fuel had sold out.

The Standard quoted a driver who claimed it had taken him half an hour just to enter the petrol station.

The war in Iran

On Feb. 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel initiated a bombing campaign on Iran, beginning with a decapitation strike designed to kill most of Iran’s leaders.

Despite the strike being largely successful, Iran has yet to capitulate, and instead retaliated by attacking neighbouring states, many of whom host U.S. military bases.

In the latest development, Iran has begun to make good on threats to close the vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical seaway through which most Middle Eastern oil is shipped through.

It has reportedly mined the strait, with at least one Thai-flagged tanker being hit, resulting in three Thai sailors going missing.

Top image via AFP