Hainan to Expand Duty-Free Stores for Local Residents

By Translator: David Janke/ HIMC / Updated:20:50,28-July-2026

Hainan residents will soon have easier access to duty-free imported daily consumer goods. According to the latest provincial government plan, daily duty-free stores for local residents will be established in every city and county across the island province.

Shoppers browse chocolates at a duty-free daily consumer goods store in Haikou

Photo: Ding Wenwen

Ahead of this year’s Spring Festival, Hainan officially launched its zero-tariff policy for imported daily consumer goods bought by local residents. According to the policy, products purchased at designated daily duty-free stores are exempt from import duty, import VAT, consumption tax, and domestic VAT and consumption tax, provided they are on the approved product list and that the residents purchasing them do not exceed their annual duty-free quota. The allowance currently stands at CNY 10,000 annually, with no restrictions on the number of purchases.

Customers shop for LEGO products at a daily duty-free store for local residents in Haikou

Photo: Ding Wenwen

The approved list of zero-tariff imported goods now includes 202 product categories, covering food and beverages, personal care items, household products, and maternity and baby goods.

On February 11, Hainan launched its first five daily duty-free stores for local residents—three in Haikou, one in Sanya, and one in Danzhou. Since opening, these stores have significantly increased shopping options for locals, offering a broad selection of imported goods. During a recent visit to the Wanghao daily duty-free shop in Haikou, reporters observed that the product range has expanded since its opening, although fresh produce, one of the most popular categories, currently includes only durian.

Residents shop at a daily duty-free store in Danzhou

Photo: Li Shaoyuan

The daily duty-free store network is now set to expand beyond Hainan’s three main cities to other cities and counties across the island. Sanya, Wenchang, Qionghai, Wanning, and Chengmai have all issued public tenders to select operators for new stores. Sanya plans to open its second store, while the other cities will soon each open their first, all located in busy commercial districts.

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