CHINA. Shenzhen Duty Free Group has captured a key contract to operate arrivals duty-free shops at five key land ports in Shenzhen.
The tender offered concessions at Shenzhen Bay, Liantang, Huanggang, Luohu and Wenjindu ports. Shenzhen Duty Free Group said this positions the group for a strong start to the year. The stores will trade as Times DF.
In January, Chinese authorities announced that 41 new arrivals duty-free shops were to be established across the country to help drive consumption and maintain domestic spending. The recent tender win makes Shenzhen Duty Free Group one of the first companies to obtain such rights following the policy announcement, exemplifying the power of ‘Shenzhen speed’, the group added.
These five ports serve as vital gateways connecting the Chinese mainland with Hong Kong, and play a crucial role in showcasing Shenzhen’s image as a fast developing metropolis. In 2025, the ports collectively welcomed 164 million passengers, underscoring their significant commercial value and strategic importance.
In particular, the arrival duty-free shops at Shenzhen Bay and Liantang ports received special attention from the Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Government. Their openings are expected to unlock the consumption potential of cross-boundary travellers, lead to growth across wholesale, retail, accommodation and catering sectors, and inject fresh momentum into the city’s consumer market expansion, the retailer commented.
As the starting year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026 is also pivotal for Shenzhen as it hosts the APEC Summit – a defining opportunity to present itself as a leading economic and innovation hub and a model of China’s modernisation.
“Seizing this moment, we aim to transform Shenzhen’s port duty-free shops into integrated international retail platforms – offering world-class shopping for global travellers while serving as launchpads for domestic brands,” said a Shenzhen Duty Free Group statement.
“By showcasing Shenzhen-made smart products and high-quality local goods through our duty-free network, we seek to elevate the city’s duty-free and port economies, advancing Shenzhen’s vision of becoming a consumption centre with global influence.”
Moving forward, the group pledged to uphold higher standards, deliver superior services and implement further measures to cultivate the duty-free market in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, boosting Shenzhen’s global profile and consumption landscape while driving regional growth. ✈
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