CHINA. 20 April was a red-letter day for Hainan as the island province celebrated the 15th anniversary of the official implementation of its far-sighted offshore duty-free policy.
Since its introduction, the policy has become a key engine driving the development of Hainan as an international tourism consumption hub and has transformed China’s and Asia’s travel retail landscape.
According to figures just released by Haikou Customs, from 20 April 2011 to 19 April 2026, cumulative offshore duty-free sales in Hainan reached RMB286.4 billion (US$42 billion). During that 15-year period, 50.87 million shoppers purchased a combined number of 347.88 million duty-free items, the agency said.
“With the continuous policy optimisation and expansion of consumption scenarios, the island’s offshore duty-free market has steadily grown, establishing itself as a significant growth driver for China’s overall duty-free consumption,” Haikou Customs noted.
The recently concluded 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo), held in Haikou from 13 to 18 April, delivered a telling boost to the sector, Haikou Customs said, offering a major showcase and trading platform for high-quality consumer goods from China and across the globe.
Haikou Customs data show that, during the event, Hainan’s offshore duty-free sales reached RMB470 million (US$68.9 million), with 85,000 shoppers purchasing 403,000 items.
Haikou Customs said the robust momentum demonstrated strong market appeal and consumer resilience,
“Leveraging the ongoing evolution of its offshore duty-free policy and the catalytic impact of major events like the Hainan Expo, Hainan is fast-tracking the development of a globally competitive consumer ecosystem, further solidifying its status as a premier international tourism consumption destination,” the agency concluded. 🏝️
