The first Consumer Expo after the full island closure operation of Hainan Free Trade Port attracts attention! Hainan Province responds to every question from the Daily Economic News: The zero-tariff product catalog has been expanded to over 6,600 items.

Each Daily News reporter | Zhou Yifei    Each Daily News editor | Wei Guanhong

On March 30, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce relevant information about the Sixth China International Consumer Goods Expo.

At the event, Sheng Qiuping, Vice Minister of Commerce, introduced that the Sixth CIIE will be held in Hainan from April 13 to 18. This year’s expo is both the “opening showcase” among major exhibitions in the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” kickoff year and also the “first debut” after Hainan’s free trade port begins full-island closure operations. More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions will participate. The share of international exhibits and display items is 65%, up by 20 percentage points from last year.

As the first CIIE after Hainan’s free trade port begins full-island closure operations, what new experiences and atmosphere will it bring to exhibitors and consumers? When answering the above questions from a reporter of The Daily Economic News, Ba Te’er, a member of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee and acting Vice Governor, said that this CIIE has, for the first time, set up a Buyer Service Center, upgraded the online supply-and-demand matching platform, and improved deal effectiveness. In addition, policies such as the Hainan Free Trade Port’s zero-tariff goods list, which has already expanded to more than 6,600 items, will provide exhibitors with more opportunities to establish production bases—especially supply chain centers—in Hainan, radiating the broad mainland China market as well as the Southeast Asian market.

Image source: Photo taken on site by Each Daily News reporter Zhou Yifei

Mainland China goods in more categories can enter Hainan duty-free stores for sale

Ba Te’er further told a reporter of The Daily Economic News that the first CIIE after the formal launch of the Hainan free trade port’s closure operations is not only a platform for concentrated exhibition and trading of global premium products and consumer goods, but also a window for the concentrated release of various favorable policies after the closure.

First is making exhibitors feel stronger gains. On the one hand, efforts to invite global buyers will be intensified, and a series of themed matchmaking meetings will be carefully organized. For the first time, this CIIE has set up a Buyer Service Center, upgraded the online supply-and-demand matching platform, and enhanced deal effectiveness. On the other hand, after closure operations, the convenience for enterprises to clear customs will continue to improve, and exhibitors transporting display goods can enjoy lower costs and more professional services. Policies such as the expansion of the Hainan Free Trade Port’s zero-tariff goods list to more than 6,600 items also provide more opportunities for exhibitors to establish production bases in Hainan—especially supply chain centers—that radiate the broad mainland China market and the Southeast Asian market.

Second is making duty-free consumption more affordable. On the one hand, duty-free shopping from the island is more convenient, and choices will be more diverse. The categories of duty-free goods from the island have expanded to 47 major categories, and mainland goods such as shoes and hats, scarves, clothing and accessories, tea, coffee, and ceramic products can also enter duty-free stores for sale. On the other hand, after closure, the zero-tariff policy for inbound duty-free goods purchased by island residents has been formally implemented in Hainan. At present, 5 stores have opened.

Finally is making consumption scenarios more diverse. The Bo’ao Lecheng Pilot Zone has introduced more than 560 types of special licensed drugs and medical devices and special foods. Meanwhile, thanks to the “zero-tariff” policy, the usage cost of imported medical products is reduced by about 13%. This CIIE also specifically sets up an international health exhibition area for consumers to learn more directly about these cutting-edge health products and medical services. At the same time, duty-free shopping is available on-site at the CIIE. Relying on the duty-free policy for imported exhibits sold during the expo period, consumers can directly purchase “new, weird, distinctive, and cool” goods from around the world at the exhibition venue, and can enjoy duty-free prices.

Ba Te’er emphasized that, overall, after closure, Hainan is building a multi-layer duty-free consumption system of “duty-free shopping from the island + duty-free consumption of daily necessities + duty-free imported medical products,” and then “+ duty-free exhibits during the CIIE expo period,” promoting the transformation of duty-free consumption from “specific scenarios” to “daily consumption.”

In 2025, the cumulative subsidies for aging-friendly products under the “trade-in for upgrades” program exceeded 7 million units

In April 2025, 12 departments including the Ministry of Commerce and the National Health Commission issued the “Implementation Plan for a Special Action to Promote Healthy Consumption,” and it was launched at the Fifth CIIE. What results have been achieved so far? What arrangements does this CIIE have in terms of healthy consumption?

Yang Mu, Director of the Market Operations and Consumption Promotion Department of the Ministry of Commerce, said that first is “eating for health.” Strengthen the connection between the production and sales of high-quality agricultural products, and encourage the development of health-preserving meals, light meals, and simple meals. In 2025, the market size for green food reached RMB 8B, making “eating for health” a trend.

Second is “moving to boost vitality.” Life lies in exercise. The state invests funds to support the construction of fitness venues and facilities for the public, and carries out themed activities such as the National Ice and Snow Season and the Ice and Snow Consumption Season, driving a surge in fitness activities. In 2025, the sales of sports and entertainment goods by enterprises above the quota increased by 15.7% year-on-year, and ice and snow tourism and leisure during the “2025–2026 Ice and Snow Consumption Season” exceeded 300 million person-times.

Third is “trading in for better quality.” Aging-friendly products for home use are included in the scope of consumption subsidies under the trade-in for upgrades program to promote the development of a smart aging-care industry. In 2025, the “trade-in for upgrades” program has cumulatively subsidized more than 7 million aging-friendly units.

Fourth is health services. Support the faster development of business formats in health management, psychological counseling, health preservation, and traditional Chinese medicine-related therapeutic health services; and promote retail pharmacies to expand service functions such as health consultations and guidance on medication use. As of now, nearly 1,000 retail pharmacies have upgraded to “Healthy Stations” with comprehensive service functions.

Yang Mu emphasized that this year, the Ministry of Commerce will also work with relevant departments to carry out a “Healthy Consumption Season” activity, promoting innovations in scenarios and the integration of business formats to improve the level of healthy consumption development. During the CIIE, a launch ceremony for the “Healthy Consumption Season” will be held, guiding relevant institutions to release items such as a healthy consumption index, healthy dietary guidelines, and a healthy consumption initiative, and promoting the concept of a healthy lifestyle.

“At this CIIE, we will also set up a Healthy Consumption Zone, build platforms for brand promotion, product experience, and industry exchanges, and showcase goods and services such as health foods, dairy products, consumer medical devices and drugs, and health nursing products and services. In the Bo’ao branch venue, we will set up an international health exhibition area to create immersive experience scenarios such as intelligent medical care, globally精选 items, science and technology carry-on, and health services,” Yang Mu said.