Offshore duty-free shopping boosts Sanya's consumer market

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-06-25

Foreign customers browse at the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex in Sanya, Hainan province, on June 3, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

Offshore duty-free business is booming in China's southernmost province of Hainan — in the wake of the introduction of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port on Dec 18 last year.

Overall, the duty-free policy has become a significant draw for both domestic and international tourists — and this initiative has become a key driver of consumer spending growth.

According to Haikou Customs, from the start of special customs operations to May 31 this year, offshore duty-free shopping in Hainan hit 20.34 billion yuan (about $3 billion), with 2.74 million shoppers — showing year-on-year increases of 20.5 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively.

During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in 2026 — on June 19-21 — Sanya's four offshore duty-free stores saw sales of 131 million yuan, with 21,200 shoppers and 96,900 items purchased.

These figures represent increases of 11.1 percent, 6.9 percent and 6.3 percent compared with the same holiday period in 2025 (May 31-June 2).

In particular, the FIA Formula E 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix was held in Haitang Bay in Sanya during the holiday. The Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex offered exclusive perks — such as race-viewing discounts, general vouchers for the China Duty Free Group stores, surprise gifts for store visitors and a free shuttle service to the race venue — attracting many visitors.

In a bid to seize the consumer spending surge during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday and the summer peak season, Sanya allocated 21.5 million yuan in June to launch a new round of offshore duty-free shopping vouchers.

These vouchers offer discounts of up to 4,200 yuan and will be available until July 25 — covering major offshore duty-free locations in Sanya, benefiting both tourists and local residents.