One month into Hainan Free Trade Port’s groundbreaking island-wide customs regime, the numbers tell a compelling story of rapid transformation. Launched December 18, 2025, these rules have supercharged trade, investment, and tourism across the tropical island.

According to the customs authority, 5,132 foreign trade firms registered between December 18, 2025, and January 17, 2026. It’s a testament to Hainan’s magnetic pull amid China’s broader openness drive.

“We’re swamped,” said Haikou Customs’ Chu He, noting over 100 daily hotline calls to the one-stop service center. Agencies have optimized workflows, cutting approval times by about 60% and offering robust support to newcomers.

Frontline oversight covered 750 million yuan in duty-free items, fueling industries from manufacturing to healthcare and R&D. Airlines, shipping lines, and logistics outfits gained from duty waivers on key assets.

Meanwhile, second-line monitoring tracked 85.867 million yuan in value-added duty-free goods destined for the mainland, opening doors for Hainan companies to integrate deeper into national production networks.

Retail exploded under adjusted duty-free policies: sales soared to 4.86 billion yuan, up 46.8% year-on-year. Visitor numbers hit 745,000—a 30.2% gain—while item volumes rose 14.6% to 3.494 million.

Airports buzzed with 311,000 travelers, 48.8% more than last year. This momentum signals Hainan’s Free Trade Port is not just surviving but thriving, positioning it as a blueprint for future economic zones.