On December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) officially launched island-wide special customs operations, marking a milestone in China’s continued commitment to high-level opening-up. On the same day, a comprehensive package of customs policies and supporting measures took effect, including the list of taxable imports, goods circulation tax policies, negative lists, tariff exemptions for domestic sales of goods that undergo value-added processing in Hainan, and new customs supervision rules.

Policy dividends began to materialize from the very start, with key projects rolling out rapidly, signaling that the Hainan FTP has entered a new phase of reform-driven, high-quality development.

Goods Clear Customs Efficiently, Enterprises Benefit Immediately

On Dec 18, the first shipment of “zero-tariff” petrochemical raw materials and auxiliary materials successfully arrived at Yangpu Port. (Photo: Mao Zehao)

On the first day of the operations, both “zero-tariff” goods and value-added processed goods eligible for tariff exemptions cleared customs efficiently at multiple ports across Hainan.

At Yangpu Port, the first shipment of “zero-tariff” petrochemical raw materials and auxiliary materials arrived successfully, totaling 179,000 tons with a value of nearly CNY 400 million, saving enterprises approximately CNY 10 million in costs.

At the “second-line customs port” at Haikou Meilan International Airport, 3,300 boxes of chocolate qualified for tariff-free domestic sales after reaching the 30% value-added threshold, cleared customs, and were shipped to destinations including Shaanxi and Beijing.

Meanwhile, two upstream and downstream enterprises, SINOPEC Hainan Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Danzhou Weida Chemical Co., Ltd., jointly completed customs clearance for the first batch of goods under the value-added processing tariff exemption, resulting in a reduction of approximately CNY 400 per ton in polyolefin costs. This dividend helped to significantly ease raw material cost pressures. Sanya Phoenix International Airport also handled its first batch of “zero-tariff” imported goods, with relevant enterprises enjoying tax reductions of approximately CNY 310,000 (about USD 44,000).

Major Projects Gain Momentum

A breakthrough was achieved in the maritime sector, as the vessels Defu-1200, Huashun You-698, and Hongjinshuo obtained ship ownership certificates from the Hainan International Ship Registration Administration. They became the first ships registered under “Port of Yangpu (CNYGP)” following the launch of special customs operations, marking tangible progress in Hainan’s international ship registration system.

Siemens Energy (Hainan) Co., Ltd. unveiled its operations in Danzhou, Hainan. (Photo: Siemens Energy Official WeChat)

On the same day, Siemens Energy (Hainan) Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fortune Global 500 company Siemens Energy, officially established its presence in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. A company representative noted that, with strong support from all sides, the project moved swiftly from planning to implementation, and that such efficiency and mutual respect have laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Skyworth Photovoltaic completed the first post-launch cross-border leasing export of photovoltaic equipment through the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone, leveraging bonded policies and streamlined customs procedures to expand rapidly into Southeast Asian markets.

Enhanced Foreign-Related Services and Growing International Talent Presence

On December 18, after the launch of island-wide special customs operations, the first foreign nationals in Hainan received their work permits at the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. (Photo: China News)

Hainan’s foreign-related government service system was in lockstep with special customs operations and running smoothly. On the morning of the initiative’s launch, five foreign nationals received their work permits and residence permits at the international services area of the government service center in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone.

Hainan has now implemented a joint review and issuance mechanism for work and residence permits, eliminating the need for foreign residents to visit multiple departments. In some cases, the entire process can be completed in as few as four days.