Hainan's Offshore Duty-Free Sales Hit 4.53 Billion Yuan in January

Hainan's offshore duty-free sales surged to 4.53 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately 652.54 million dollars, in January. This impressive figure marks a 44.8 percent increase compared to the same month last year, as reported by Haikou customs on Thursday. This growth can be largely attributed to newly implemented customs policies that followed the island's launch of special customs operations on December 18, 2025.

A remarkable 560,000 shoppers visited duty-free stores during the month, representing a 21 percent rise year-on-year. Additionally, a total of 3.367 million items were purchased, showing a significant increase of 14 percent. The data also revealed that purchases made by departing travelers accounted for 18.316 million yuan, in contrast to the 14.389 million yuan spent by local island residents.

In an effort to enhance the efficiency of duty-free goods circulation, Haikou customs has introduced measures aimed at the prompt restocking of high-demand items. Furthermore, a joint rapid-response mechanism has been established, involving customs officials, duty-free enterprises, public service platforms, and passenger transport companies. This initiative is designed to enhance the shopping experience while simultaneously combating smuggling, according to the report.

To encourage the growth of the Hainan Free Trade Port, a new zero-tariff policy was jointly instituted by China's Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Taxation Administration, which took effect on Thursday. This policy enables residents of Hainan to purchase specific imported daily-use goods at designated venues without incurring tariffs.

Under the new zero-tariff framework, Hainan residents are allowed to spend up to 10,000 yuan per person annually on exempt items, with no limitations on the number of purchases they can make. This initiative is aimed at supporting local residents and is expected to resonate well with the community.

The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the introduction of this policy will significantly alleviate living costs for locals, cater to varied consumer demands, and ensure that more island residents can reap the rewards from the development strategy of the Hainan Free Trade Port. This measure underlines the government's commitment to bolster economic engagement in the region.

The rising trend in Hainan's duty-free sector reflects not only the effectiveness of policy reforms but also the growing consumer appetite for luxury and imported goods among both residents and travelers. As Hainan continues to enhance its shopping infrastructure, the outlook for retail commerce in the region appears increasingly bullish.