Customers purchasing duty free products in physical Hainan Island stores and through approved online outlets can have items delivered to their homes.

Shoppers now have an alternative way of receiving products, in addition to collecting them in designated areas at Haikou Meilan International Airport and Haikou train stations. The applicable regulatory requirements will be announced by the China General Administration of Customs in due course.

According to a joint announcement from the China Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs and General Administration of Taxation, which was seen by TRBusiness, new duty free shopping and collection methods will support the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. They will also accelerate the construction of an international tourism consumption centre and further facilitate shopping opportunities.

On presentation of a valid identification card among other required documentation, shoppers can have products delivered to their homes. This is providing nominated addresses are outside Hainan Province and the person requesting delivery is the ‘recipient, payer and purchaser.’

PASSENGER VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT

Staff working in Hainan Island duty free shops must confirm passengers meet the aforementioned requirements and have actually left the island, before delivering products.

Hainan Island residents purchasing duty free goods on departure, can also collect items on their return. All they must do is provide valid identification and itinerary information when they arrive back, wait for this to be confirmed by staff and receive their products.

Residents include Chinese citizens with Hainan Provincial Identification cards, Hainan Province residence permits or social security cards, along with foreigners who live and work in Hainan Province and hold residence permits.

The China Ministry of Finance said: “The relevant Hainan Province departments should provide The General Administration of Customs and General Administration of Taxation with relevant information and details of the networking environment for verifying the eligibility of residents and departing passengers [for the new shopping and collection opportunities].”