Sanya opens second duty-free store for daily necessities

China's southernmost Hainan province has recently taken steps to expand its duty-free stores for daily consumer goods.

The cities of Sanya, Wenchang, Qionghai and Wanning, together with Chengmai county, have issued calls for bids to select operators for the stores.

For the ever-popular coastal resort city of Sanya, this will be its second store.

On July 20, the General Office of Hainan Provincial People's Government announced moves to establish duty-free stores for everyday consumer goods across all cities and counties on the island during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

Earlier this year, just before the Chinese New Year, the province's zero-tariff policy for imported goods became effective.

It allowed the island's residents to buy imported products from these stores without paying import duties, import-stage value-added tax and consumption tax, as well as domestic-stage value-added tax and consumption tax, within designated limits and product lists.

Each resident has a duty-free allowance of 10,000 yuan (about $1,477) per year, with no limit on the number of purchases.

The current list of zero-tariff items includes 202 products, covering such categories as food, beverages, household chemicals, home goods and maternal and infant items.

Sanya's first duty-free store for daily consumer goods opened on Feb 11 this year at No.1 Sanya Bay.

It marked the successful rollout of the zero-tariff policy in Sanya — offering local residents a broader range of foreign products for their everyday shopping needs.

Sanya's first duty-free store for daily consumer goods opens at No.1 Sanya Bay on Feb 11, 2026 — attracting tourists and island residents alike. [Photo/VCG]