Customers line up in front of a duty-free shop in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. [Photo/VCG]

Fifteen years after China launched the offshore duty-free shopping policy in Hainan province, customs authorities have supervised a cumulative 286.4 billion yuan (about $41.76 billion) in offshore duty-free sales, involving 347 million items.

Since its launch on April 20, 2011, the policy has undergone multiple rounds of adjustments and optimization. Today, Hainan hosts 12 offshore duty-free stores across the island.

Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex. [Photo/VCG]

Customers shop at a duty-free shop in Haikou, South China's Hainan province. [Photo/VCG]

Consumers buy duty-free products in Haikou, South China's Hainan province. [Photo/VCG]