Beijing’s ambitious push for economic openness has delivered early wins in Hainan. Just one month after island-wide special customs regulations took effect on December 18, 2025, the Free Trade Port is buzzing with unprecedented activity.
Customs data reveals a staggering influx of business interest. From December 18 to January 17, 2026, over 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises registered in Hainan. This surge underscores the port’s rising appeal to global investors seeking a gateway to China’s vast markets.
Haikou Customs officer Chu He highlighted the frenzy at the single government service hotline, fielding more than 100 inquiries daily. Streamlined approvals have slashed processing times by nearly 60%, thanks to inter-departmental efficiencies and hands-on guidance for businesses.
In the ‘frontline’ zone, customs oversaw 750 million yuan in duty-free goods, directly benefiting local factories, hospitals, and research hubs. Transportation firms capitalized on tax-exempt ships, planes, and vehicles, boosting operational efficiencies.
The ‘second-line’ area monitored 85.867 million yuan worth of processed duty-free products shipped to mainland China. This has empowered Hainan enterprises to expand supply chains and enhance value addition.
Duty-free shopping shattered records, hitting 4.86 billion yuan in sales—a 46.8% jump from last year. Footfall reached 745,000 shoppers, up 30.2%, with purchases totaling 3.494 million items, a 14.6% increase.
Tourism is soaring too, with Hainan airports handling 311,000 passengers last month, a 48.8% rise year-over-year. These figures paint a picture of a thriving ecosystem where special customs rules are igniting trade and leisure alike. Hainan’s model could redefine China’s open-door strategy for years to come.