HAIKOU (XINHUA) – Offshore duty-free sales in south China’s island province of Hainan reached CY60.2 billion (about USD9.4 billion) in 2021, an increase of 84 per cent year on year, said the Provincial Department of Commerce.
According to the department, the number of shoppers totaled nearly 9.7 million in 2021, with about 53.5 million items purchased, up 73 per cent and 71 per cent year-on-year, respectively.
Three more duty-free shops opened last year in Hainan, raising the total number to 10.
The duty-free shops host more than 720 brands in a total shopping area of 220,000 square metres.
Since July 1, 2020, Hainan has raised its annual tax-free shopping quota from CY30,000 to CY100,000 per person. The duty-free purchase limit for cosmetics has been raised from 12 items to 30.
The province has also rolled out a range of policies such as flexible pick-up services to provide a better experience for customers.
China released a master plan in June 2020 to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.
