CHINA. Hainan’s offshore duty-free retail sector has got off to a roaring start in 2026, with sales surging +25.9% year-on-year in the first two months to RMB10.59 billion (US$1.54 billion), according to just-released Haikou Customs number.
During the same period, 1.279 million shoppers purchased 8.012 million duty-free items in Hainan, marking year-on-year increases of +16.6% and +9.9%, respectively.
“As the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port progresses, a series of favourable policies and consumption incentives are being swiftly implemented,” Haikou Customs noted.
“Offshore duty-free shopping continues to gain momentum, becoming a key driver of tourism consumption growth in Hainan, while the ‘tourism + duty-free’ model continues to demonstrate strong appeal.”
In addition, the new policy allowing Hainan residents to purchase imported goods duty-free for personal consumption has now been in effect for one month. Haikou Customs statistics show that from 11 February to 10 March, 28,000 local residents made purchases under this policy, spending a total of RMB5.373 million (just over US$782,000).
Haikou Customs said that duty-free shopping for daily consumer goods is gradually becoming a routine part of Hainan residents’ life, signalling a subtle shift in both their spending habits and shopping preferences. 🏝️
