CHINA. Zhuhai Duty Free Group (ZDFG) has been awarded the arrivals duty-free concession at Hengqin Port, a vital land border checkpoint connecting Zhuhai and Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region) in South China.
The 345sq m outlet will be the first arrivals duty-free store in the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, and ZDFG’s second store at the port alongside its departures unit.
The retailer said the opening will broaden the duty-free selection for inbound travellers, enhance the port’s commercial amenities and improve the overall experience.
The move will enable Macau residents travelling to Zhuhai to purchase duty-free goods up to prescribed value and quantity quotas. Its inauguration will complete the duty-free retail offering at the 24-hour Hengqin Port operation, now spanning both outbound and inbound visitor flows.
Since the new port facility opened in August 2020, cross-border traffic has surged in tandem with the Cooperation Zone’s rapid development. In 2025, the port welcomed over 30.3 million travellers, up +33% year-on-year.
By April 24 this year, total cumulative crossings had surpassed the 100-million mark. During this year’s Labour Day Golden Week holiday, single-day volume hit a record 148,000.
Beyond the traffic volumes it drives, Hengqin Port plays a vital role in advancing Macau–Hengqin integration. As the demand for cross-border commuting, tourism and business continues to rise, the port is experiencing a shift from basic clearance facilities toward “a more convenient, experience-driven and service-oriented consumer space”, noted the travel retailer. ZDFG said its new arrivals store will stand as an example of this evolution.
As a seasoned operator in the market, ZDFG said it brings mature expertise in retail management, supply chain and customer service to Zhuhai–Macau cross-border duty-free retail.
The group currently runs several duty-free outlets at key checkpoints between the two cities, including Gongbei, Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, Qingmao and Hengqin. Among these, its Hengqin Port departures store, operational since 2023, has become a key contributor.
Since the beginning of the year, ZDFG has accelerated expansion across strategic ports, airports, and high-traffic retail hotspots. Recent tender wins include the arrivals duty-free operations at Jieyang Chaoshan and Nanning Wuxu international airports, as well as the arrivals and departures concessions at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport.
Securing the Hengqin arrivals concession not only reinforces its competitive edge in the Greater Bay Area but also strengthens its position in the port duty-free sector, a company statement added.
ZDFG said it plans to tailor store preparations, product sourcing, operations and services to the profile and preferences of travellers at Hengqin Port.
A statement added, “Our goal is to continually refine offerings and service quality, positioning the store as a key service window for cross-border travellers and a vibrant contributor to the Cooperation Zone’s commercial landscape. The opening will support both the Cooperation Zone’s development and the broader high-quality growth of the Greater Bay Area.” 🛳️
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