Sanya SOE completes 1st cross-border trade order after special customs operations

In a groundbreaking development, a consignment of dark chocolate liquor blocks from Hong Kong passed smoothly through customs at Shenzhen Port and arrived in Sanya.

It was the first non-mainland trade import completed by the commercial arm of Sanya Tourism and Culture Development Group Co Ltd in the wake of the launch last December of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

The execution of the cross-border transaction is said to have effectively established a seamless supply trade chain. That's from procurement in Hong Kong to a compliant customs clearance and delivery within Hainan island — marking a breakthrough for Sanya's State-owned enterprises in the new arena of "cultural tourism + cross-border trade".

Since the launch of island-wide special customs operations, the Hainan FTP's regulatory model of "freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line, and free flow within the island" has been steadily implemented.

It has unlocked a series of great policy benefits — creating a low-cost, high-efficiency channel for market players to engage in cross-border trade.

Taking advantage of the Hainan FTP's innovative policies, the commercial company of Sanya Tourism and Culture Development Group Co Ltd has actively positioned itself in the new cross-border trade sector.

By connecting with high-quality supply chain resources both at home and abroad and securing cooperation agreements, it has laid a strong groundwork for its cross-border import business.

The first cross-border chocolate import is the result of extensive collaboration and multiple rounds of negotiations between the Sanya Tourism and Culture Development Group Co Ltd and CACAOLAB (Hainan) Food Co Ltd — a company located in the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City High-tech Zone.

The chocolate raw materials were shipped from Hong Kong, leveraging Shenzhen Port's advanced cold chain logistics and smart customs clearance systems to ensure an efficient and compliant entry.

Having arrived in Hainan, the materials will now be processed and sold locally — fully utilizing the policy advantages of the Hainan FTP and the logistics synergies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, achieving cross-regional industrial cooperation.

With the cross-border raw cocoa safely secured, popular local Sanya tourism gift candy Tianya Love Chocolate will now get a major rebrand.

Moving forwards, plans are for the company to use imported high-quality cocoa as a base — integrating Sanya's island charm and cultural tourism themes to creatively develop unique, local chocolate goodies.

The aim is to further bolster Sanya's cultural tourism offerings and support the development of a distinctive, branded and international tourism shopping ecosystem in the city.