CHINA. Haikou Customs has revealed that the ‘buy and pick-up’ duty-free sales platform in Hainan province exceeded CNY3 billion (US$411.7 million) this year, Hainan Hinews reports*.
Under the ‘buy and pick-up’ policy introduced in March 2023, departing passengers are allowed to purchase duty-free products across 15 categories each with a unit price of no more than CNY20,000 (US$2,740)
After payment, shoppers can pick up their items directly from the store, bypassing customs checks during the departure process, which makes the transaction quicker and more convenient.
Latest figures from the authority also indicated that the number of duty-free shoppers using this method reached 1.57 million, resulting in 3.49 million transactions overall.
A tourist in Sanya, Ms. Ye said: “This trip to Sanya happened to coincide with my child’s birthday, so I bought the Lego toys my child wanted at the duty-free shop through the ‘buy and pick-up’ method.”
Since the new pick-up service was launched in April last year, the system has gained popularity, with more travellers opting for this method to enhance their shopping experience.
According to officials from cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex, this has not only improved the duty-free shopping experience but helped businesses streamline logistics and reduce delivery times.
To support the increasing demand for the ‘buy and pick-up’ service, Haikou Customs has upgraded its regulatory processes.
Through the use of automatic order auditing, the customs department ensures continuous 24-hour order processing. In addition, combining remote monitoring with on-site inspections has enhanced the transportation of duty-free products to guarantee that high-demand items are ready for sale the same day.
Haikou Customs has also developed a manual detailing duty-free island departure policies, which is shared with customer service staff to assist travellers with policy-related concerns.
To offer customers a more convenient and reliable shopping experience, the department has set up a quick-response system to promptly address any issues with tax exemption data.
Haikou Customs noted its commitment to enhancing its regulatory procedures and strengthening its supervision of duty-free businesses to better serve passengers and boost the Hainan Free Trade Port’s reputation. 🏝️
*The Moodie Davitt Report works closely with Hainan Hinews in an information-sharing partnership.
