Dreamy turquoise waters and palm trees swaying… Sanya Bay in November looked almost unreal 🌊⛵. But behind the smiles of tourists and the sleek sailboats was a buzz about a bigger shift: tomorrow, December 18, Hainan will launch island-wide special customs operations—a true turning point for the Chinese mainland’s ambitious Free Trade Port project.
Locals and visitors alike see this as the start of a long voyage. They expect more open policies, fresh room for experimentation, and new opportunities across the island. A handbook by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hainan Committee even uses the yacht industry as a lens to show what’s coming.
Under the new rules, zero-tariff treatment for imported yachts—a pilot for tourism and transport enterprises—remains in place. That means a yacht worth 10 million yuan (about USD 1.41 million) can save roughly 40 percent in tariffs and taxes, cutting costs that can be passed on to tourists.
After December 18, this zero-tariff policy expands to cover 74 percent of tariff lines. The processing value-added policy for domestic sales is improved, and import licenses for used mechanical and electrical products under 60 commodity codes are canceled. Altogether, yacht manufacturers could see cost reductions of around 20 percent, with an extra 6 percent saved when selling at home.
Sanya is moving fast to seize the moment. The city is building a yacht industry pilot zone that weaves together manufacturing, tourism, exhibitions, and creative businesses—all in one coastal hotspot. Some visitors already compare Sanya to Miami, Santorini, or Barcelona: places where ocean culture and high-value industries feed one another.
Globally, over 130 Free Trade Ports and nearly 4,000 free trade zones operate as of 2025. The Chinese mainland’s development zones make up half of that total. History shows it takes decades to build a world-class FTP—think Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Rotterdam. But once established, they become regional transport and economic hubs.
Hainan’s voyage is just beginning. With wind at its back, the island is charting a fresh course toward its Free Trade Port dream—ready to welcome more investors, entrepreneurs, and culture seekers. Ready to set sail? 🚀
Reference(s):
Hainan after special customs operations: Hainan truly sets sail
cgtn.com
