Hainan expands duty-free program to boost tourism

Tourists select duty-free products in Sanya, South China's Hainan province, Oct 24, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

The range of imported items available at duty-free shops in Hainan was increased on Friday in a bid to promote the island province as an international tourist destination.

An additional 17 types of product, including baby formulas, coffee and air fresheners, have been added to the duty-free program, taking the total to 38.

The revised program announced by the Ministry of Finance also eases restrictions on the amounts of 10 types of imported items that may be bought.

The change applies to popular categories such as cosmetics, perfumes and watches.

Wang Huiping, deputy director of Hainan's Department of Finance, said the changes are in response to complaints from some tourists about the limited choice of goods available.

The initial program was launched in April 2011 on a trial basis.

It allowed individual tourists and Hainan residents age 16 or above to enjoy duty exemptions on certain types of imported goods worth no more than 8,000 yuan ($1,283) in total before flying to other destinations on the Chinese mainland.