Duty-free operators are attracting international brand debuts and product launches, and tying shopping to local culture, sports, and tourism.

During peak seasons, retailers face inventory and logistics pressure. Haikou Customs said it has rolled out smart clearance systems and automated approvals across the island's 12 duty-free stores, improving approval efficiency by 60 percent and doubling the logistics turnover for duty-free goods.

"We are committed to strengthening supervision while optimizing services to maximize the benefits of the duty-free policy," said Guo Jianmeng, director of the port supervision department at Haikou Customs. "Innovations like centralized automated declaration reviews and drone deliveries have enhanced operational efficiency, ensuring product availability for consumers and smoother operations for businesses."