Hainan to open first batch of duty-free daily goods shops for local residents

The first batch of five daily consumer goods duty-free shops for local residents in south China's Hainan Province is scheduled to open on Feb. 11, 2026, merely more than one month following the launch of special customs operation in the tropical island province, according to a press conference on Friday.

Following a comprehensive assessment of factors such as the population size, consumption habits, commercial infrastructure and transport connectivity, the layout for the first five daily consumer goods duty-free shops will be three in Haikou, one in Sanya, and one in Danzhou.

"The first batch of daily consumer goods duty-free stores are set to open on Feb. 11, enabling local residents to enjoy the policy benefits ahead of the Spring Festival. Going forward, the province will assess the policy's impact and gradually expand its coverage based on implementation outcomes," said Lu Wei, deputy director general of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province.

Eligible residents include Chinese citizens with a Hainan identity card, a local residence permit, or a local social security card, as well as overseas personnel who work and live in Hainan and hold valid residence permits.

Each eligible resident is granted an annual duty-free shopping quota of 10,000 yuan (about 1,437 U.S. dollars), with no limit on the number of purchases. The policy covers daily necessities, including specified food and beverages, daily chemical products, household goods, and maternal and child supplies.

"The duty-free list will be dynamically updated and refined in accordance with the implementation of policies and the shopping demand of local residents," said Zhou Zheng, deputy director general of the Department of Finance of Hainan Province.

The policy is part of broader efforts to advance high-standard building in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), aiming to enable residents to directly benefit from the island's opening-up and enhance their sense of gain.

On December 18, 2025, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures.

Hainan to open first batch of duty-free daily goods shops for local residents

Some Japanese people said on Thursday that the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must firmly uphold the pacifist constitution.

Their remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Attending a joint press conference with Takaichi on Wednesday, Macron emphasized that France and Japan have agreed on the importance of on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East and upholding international law.

Many saw this as a response to a strongly worded post by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, which criticized France for refusing to cooperate with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Some locals in Tokyo expressed their opposition to Japan's involvement in any war, but said Japan could offer help when the conflict in the Middle East ends.

"I think that Prime Minister Takaichi could offer support, provided that we wouldn't get involved in an armed conflict, such as minesweeping operations at sea, as Japan has the best minesweeping technology in the world," said a resident in Tokyo.

"I'm not entirely sure what consequences will follow Trump's demands. There may be additional tariffs, among other things. Our constitution prohibits [Japan's] from getting involved in war, and Prime Minister Takaichi should uphold this principle," said another resident.

Tokyo residents urge PM Takaichi to uphold pacifist constitution