Politics · China · 13 hrs ago
Hainan clarifies customs rules for its free trade port
Three Hainan departments clarified customs rules for the island-wide customs arrangements at the Hainan Free Trade Port in southern China.
The arrangements distinguish between goods entering the port from abroad, called the “first line,” and goods moving from the port to mainland China, called the “second line.”
Under the new guidance, some imported goods stored in bonded facilities without being processed or otherwise changed will be treated under the first-line import rules if they later move to other parts of Hainan.
Earlier checks will not be repeated if those goods have already completed required inspections, quarantine and licence checks; other goods remain subject to existing rules.
Qualifying goods with at least 30% processing value added in Hainan by encouraged-industry businesses will follow the second-line policy when sold within the island.
The notice takes effect immediately and is intended to make trade easier and support the port’s development.
Hainan’s finance, development and reform, and commerce departments issued rules clarifying customs management for the island-wide operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The rules address goods entering the port through the “first line” and goods moving from the port to mainland China through the “second line.”
Certain bonded goods entering other areas of the port will be managed under the port’s “first-line” import policy.
Goods containing imported materials and processed in Hainan with value added of at least 30% may follow the “second-line” value-added policy when sold on the island.
The notice took effect when it was published on November 2, 2026.
- Who
- Hainan’s finance, development and reform, and commerce departments issued the notice.
- What
- The notice clarifies customs management rules for the Hainan Free Trade Port’s island-wide customs operation.
- When
- November 2, 2026. It took effect upon publication.
- Where
- Hainan Free Trade Port, China.
- Why
- Officials said the rules would improve management arrangements and support trade liberalization and facilitation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hainan’s finance, development and reform, and commerce departments jointly issued the notice.
The notice took effect.
- Issuing departments
- Hainan Provincial Department of Finance; Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission; Hainan Provincial Department of Commerce
- Publication date
- November 2, 2026
- Value-added threshold
- At least 30%
- First-line” goods
- Certain bonded goods entering other port areas are subject to the port’s first-line import policy.
- Second-line” sales
- Qualifying goods may follow the value-added policy when sold within Hainan.
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What people are saying
The notice will help improve the management arrangements for the “first line” and “second line,” enhance trade liberalization and facilitation, increase the benefits felt by businesses, and provide strong support for the high-quality development and high-level opening-up of the Hainan Free Trade Port.