Hainan's duty-free shopping policies gain success in two years

China's duty-free shopping policies in Hainan province, offering travelers the convenience of instant pickups and guaranteed pickups, have achieved notable success two years after implementation, according to local customs data.

Duty-free shoppers in Hainan spent 6.94 billion yuan ($950 million) through the "buy and pick-up" duty-free method in Hainan's offshore duty-free from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025. During this period, 7.7 million items were purchased by 3.48 million individuals. Additionally, the "guaranteed pick-up" method saw a total shopping amount of 138 million yuan, with 1,314 items bought by 1,308 people, data from Haikou Customs showed.

The policies, designed to boost tourism and retail in the island province, have dovetailed with cultural events like concerts, drawing visitors such as a tourist surnamed Huang from Guangdong province. "I came for Jay Chou's concert in Sanya but forgot my sunglasses and sunscreen," she said. "Buying them duty-free and getting them right away was affordable and hassle-free."

Retailers like China Duty Free Group's Sanya branch have likewise leveraged these major events to drive sales, optimizing logistics to meet demand under the new rules.

To streamline the "guaranteed pick-up" method, Haikou Customs has set up verification checkpoints at airports and ports, using smart tracking systems to cut inspection times to as little as two minutes. "Once we confirm the goods are unused and the traveler has left the island, we refund the deposit promptly," said Yang Gang, deputy director of Haikou Customs' port supervision department.

Hainan plans to expand duty-free product categories and further refine the policies to enhance convenience for shoppers and sustain its appeal as a duty-free shopping hub, according to Haikou Customs.