Haikou: South China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), recognized as the largest FTP by area globally, has reported a significant increase in foreign trade enterprises during the first month of island-wide special customs operations. The latest data indicates that 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises have been registered in Hainan, highlighting the growth potential of the FTP.
According to Emirates News Agency, as of Saturday, Haikou customs had overseen 7.5 billion yuan (approximately US$1.05 billion) worth of zero-tariff goods at the "first line," along with 85.87 million yuan of goods processed in Hainan and sold to the mainland under the value-added tax exemption policy at the "second line." For zero-tariff and bonded goods that do not require licensing or inspection, customs authorities have implemented direct release measures, reducing import declaration items from 105 to 33, significantly enhancing customs clearance efficiency, as announced by customs on Sunday.
China initiated island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP on December 18, 2025, allowing easier entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. The operations have been largely successful, according to Li Yong, an executive council member of the China Society for WTO Studies. Li stated that the rise in foreign trade enterprises and business entities reflects strong confidence in long-term investment and the favorable business environment, underscoring the positive assessments of relevant policies.
Li further noted that the full-scale operations have effectively addressed business challenges and demonstrated Hainan FTP's potential for sustainable development by leveraging policy advantages and access to a vast market amid global uncertainties.
A representative from Jia Green Chocolate Works (Hainan) Co, a Canada-invested food processing company, expressed to the Global Times that Hainan FTP's duty-free processing and value-added policy are highly appealing. Zhang Hui, chairman of Ausca International Oils and Grains Co. in Hainan, emphasized the convenience offered by the FTP policies and geographic advantages. Zhang anticipates increasing the procurement of imported agricultural products and expanding into domestic and international markets in the first and second quarters of 2026.
The policy benefits and growing "magnet effect" of the FTP have encouraged more foreign trade enterprises to establish operations on the island. Over the past month, 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises have been registered in Hainan Province, as reported by the General Administration of Customs.
The Hainan FTP has also witnessed a rise in travelers entering and exiting through its ports, with Haikou Customs processing 311,000 inbound and outbound travelers via the island's airport ports, marking a 48.8 percent year-on-year increase. Additionally, with a new round of adjustments to the offshore duty-free policy, the number of duty-free product categories has increased from 45 to 47, including new items like digital photography equipment and micro-drones.
As of Saturday, Haikou Customs had processed 48.6 billion yuan in offshore duty-free shopping sales, a 46.8 percent year-on-year increase. The number of duty-free shoppers reached 745,000, up 30.2 percent, with a total of 3.49 million duty-free items purchased, an increase of 14.6 percent, according to official data.
Li concluded that the growth across various indicators over the past month demonstrates the successful implementation of the "first-line" and "second-line" management logic of the Hainan FTP, achieving the set policy objectives.