South China resort island to expand duty-free goods categories

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The island province of Hainan in south China will broaden the scope of its offshore duty-free goods by adding two new goods categories, namely pet supplies and portable musical instruments.

According to an announcement by the finance ministry, which was made public on Friday, other adjustments to the goods categories are also going to be made by regrouping or adding some products.

These products include sweeping robots, vacuum cleaners, digital photography and video equipment and accessories, mini drones, computer mice and keyboards.

After this adjustment, which will take effect on Nov. 1, 2025, the island's offshore duty-free shopping list will cover a total of 47 goods categories, said the announcement, which also specified that the minimum age of those qualifying for the benefits of this policy will be adjusted from 16 to 18.

Currently, travelers visiting the island can enjoy a duty-free shopping quota of 100,000 yuan (about 14,095 U.S. dollars) per person each year.

The province has reported strong offshore duty-free sales over the past five years since raising its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person on July 1, 2020.

Sales and the number of shoppers saw growth of 315.3 percent and 123.3 percent, respectively, compared with the five years prior to the major shopping quota increase in 2020, local customs data had revealed in July 2025. ■