HAINAN. Haikou Customs yesterday (1 December) released the latest monthly data on Hainan duty-free shopping results since the sector’s enhanced policy was introduced on 1 November.
As reported, the revamped policy added new categories, including pet supplies, portable musical instruments, small appliances and consumer electronics.
November sales climbed +27.1% year-on-year to CNY2.38 billion (US$336.6 million). The number of shoppers reached 329,000 and 1.91 million items were purchased.
Customs described the policy’s introduction as “stable and orderly” and said its consumption-stimulating effect has begun to emerge.
The newly added categories generated CNY13 million (US$1.84 million) in sales from 7,597 items. Domestically produced goods saw CNY391,000 (US$55,920) in revenue from 126 items.
In terms of shopping groups, departing tourists purchased 4,100 duty-free items, generating sales of CNY9.063 million (US$1.3 million), while 4,357 island residents used the ‘purchase and pick-up immediately’ system to buy 13,903 items with sales reaching CNY10.81 million (US$1.53 million).
“To actively respond to the policy call and continuously unleash the policy dividends of expanding product categories and customer base, we efficiently implemented passenger shopping demands and established business scenarios, launching a special shopping bag for island residents,” said Haikou Meilan Airport Duty-Free Shop Sales Director Zhong Wenjuan.
“At the same time, customs provided on-site training services, offering strong support for our standardised implementation of on-site sales and passenger protection.”
In the first month of the new policy’s implementation, the number of duty-free sales pick-up orders steadily increased, demonstrating the policy’s strong stimulating effect on consumption, a Haikou Customs official said.
Haikou Customs Port Supervision Department said Haikou Customs will continuously promote the new and positive development of Hainan’s duty-free industry. It pledged to comprehensively improve regulatory efficiency, ensure that passengers fully enjoy the benefits of Hainan’s duty-free policy, and contribute to accelerating the construction of Hainan as an international tourism consumption centre. 🏝️
