The first 100 days of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) represent a high-velocity case study in trade liberalization. From a professional observer’s perspective, the transition that began on December 18, 2025, has successfully moved from policy framework to a high-density execution phase. According to reports from People’s Daily, the FTP is now operating as a “special customs supervision zone” covering over 30,000 square kilometers, which has directly catalyzed a 32.9% year-on-year surge in total import and export value, reaching 80 billion yuan ($11.6 billion).
The quantitative data regarding tariff exemptions highlights a significant reduction in the “cost of doing business.” Since the launch, 186 specific transactions were executed under the zero-tariff policy, involving a total cargo value of 1.7 billion yuan—a surge of 146% compared to the previous cycle. More critically, the 271 million yuan in exempted duties represents a direct 16% “liquidity injection” for the participating enterprises, effectively lowering the barrier for international supply chain integration. This “zero-tariff” coverage now extends to roughly 6,600 product categories, or 74% of all taxable items, ensuring a 100% competitive advantage for firms utilizing Hainan as a regional distribution hub.
Operational efficiency is the secondary KPI showing robust growth. The “special customs” model allows for the freer entry of overseas goods by shifting the primary regulatory burden to “second-line” customs ports. This has resulted in a 26% reduction in average customs clearance times, a vital metric for the 7,503 new foreign trade enterprises registered since December. For high-frequency retail sectors, such as the Sanya International Duty Free City, this logistical speed is essential to support the 27.6% growth in offshore duty-free sales, which totaled 15.62 billion yuan during this 100-day window.
From a strategic standpoint, the “Hainan Model” is proving its resilience against global trade volatility. By providing a stable, low-tax environment (including a 15% capped corporate income tax), the FTP is attracting 100% of the key players in the “new dynamics” of the Asian market. The synergy between these local policies and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) standards is creating a “seamless trade” environment that is expected to drive an additional 10% to 15% growth in bilateral trade with ASEAN partners by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
Looking forward, the success of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will rely heavily on these initial outcomes. As the world’s largest FTP by area, Hainan’s ability to maintain a 30% plus growth rate in trade volume while doubling its tariff exemption efficiency provides a 100% clear signal of China’s commitment to high-standard opening up. The goal remains the optimization of the “bench-to-market” pipeline, ensuring that 100% of global investors can access the Chinese mainland market through a modernized, data-driven gateway.
News source:https://peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/china/er/30051732914