Downtown duty-free shopping in China gets policy boost

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A duty-free store will be opened in each of the eight cities, namely Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi'an, Changsha and Fuzhou, as required by a recently released interim measures for the administration of duty-free shops in cities.

The rules will apply to six existing duty-free shops in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian, Xiamen and Sanya immediately after being put to effect on Oct 1, said the statement jointly made by the Ministries of finance, commerce, culture and tourism, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation.

Another 13 foreign exchange goods duty-free shops shall be transformed into downtown duty-free shops within 3 months from the commencement of the new rules, and shall begin to operate only after passing the customs inspection.

The rules stipulated that duty-free shops in cities are for travelers, including but not limited to the Chinese nationals, who will be departing the country by air or international cruise within 60 days.

Travelers can make purchases in advance at these stores and pick up their goods at the ports of departure.

Such downtown duty-free shops will mainly sell consumer goods that are easy to carry, and "fashionable goods" of domestic brands that bear a strong traditional Chinese culture are particularly encouraged to be sold, said the statement.

FAQs: Duty-free shopping in Shanghai airports                              

If you're eager to maximize your shopping experience at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, here is the official guide from the Shanghai Airport Authority.

Q1: What types of flights allow shopping at the duty-free stores?

A1: Duty-free stores are exclusively accessible to incoming and outgoing passengers. Therefore, duty-free stores can only be accessed when traveling on international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan flights, including both departures and arrivals.

Q2: Are duty-free stores available in all four terminals at the Pudong and Hongqiao airports?

A2: There are duty-free stores in the departure and arrival halls for international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan flights in Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) of Pudong airport, and in the departure and arrival halls for international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan flights in Terminal 1 (T1) of Hongqiao airport.

Q3: What documents are required to purchase duty-free goods?

A3: Passengers who have completed customs exit formalities and are about to travel abroad, as well as inbound passengers who have not yet completed customs entry, could purchase duty-free goods at airport duty-free stores.  When purchasing duty-free goods, inbound and outbound passengers must use the vouchers of the means of transportation they are traveling on and their valid entry and exit documents.

Q4: Is there a limit to the quantity and price of duty-free goods that can be purchased per person per flight?

A4: Passengers who purchase duty-free goods at the time of departure must adhere to the relevant regulations of the country of arrival.

If goods are booked for return pick-up at the time of departure or directly purchased at the entry store, they must comply with the relevant regulations of China Customs.

According to Chinese regulations, the total amount of duty-free purchases made by a resident traveler at the duty-free stores at the ports of entry, together with those made outside of China, shall not exceed 8,000 yuan ($1,111.67), with the amount of duty-free purchases made outside of China not exceeding 5,000 yuan.

Q5: May I use foreign currencies to pay for duty-free goods?

A5: All products at duty-free stores are priced in RMB. Payments can be made in RMB, US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Euros, and Japanese yen cash notes, as well as through various mobile payments, credit cards, and debit cards.

Q6: Can goods purchased at the duty-free shops be taken on board an airplane?

A6: Yes, they can. Departing duty-free stores are located in the terminal. If a passenger needs to transfer to another plane, the cashier will package the liquid goods they have purchased in a transparent plastic bag so that they can carry them on board the plane. However, they are not allowed to open the plastic bag during the flight. Since some countries and regions restrict transfer passengers from carrying liquid and gelatinous items, transfer passengers are advised to check with the airline to see if liquid items can be carried on board the connecting flight.

Q7: Should I purchase items when leaving the country or coming back?

A7: Both are ok. There are duty-free stores in both the departure and arrival halls of the airports. The duty-free departure shops also offer the service of "reserving duty-free goods and picking them up at the arrival hall on your return". When picking up the booked duty-free goods, you need to show your return boarding pass, just as you do when purchasing duty-free goods at the departure and arrival duty-free stores.

Note: Currently, Hongqiao airport does not provide "inbound pickup" service. 

Q8: How to make a reservation when leaving the country and collect the goods upon my return?

A8: After selecting the products, please register your return date, flight number, and cell phone number. The cashier will then provide you with a reservation list, so please remember to keep it safe! Upon your return, present the reservation list at the 24-hour pickup counter in the arrival hall and proceed to pay for the goods.

Note: Currently, Hongqiao airport does not provide "inbound pickup" service.

Q9: If I make a reservation for shopping at an outbound duty-free store and decide to return some booked items when picking up, what is the process? Can I just return the item I don't want or I have to return all the reserved purchase?

A9: You can return items separately.

Q10: When are airport duty-free stores open?

A10: The duty-free stores at the airports have the following hours:

The duty-free stores at Pudong airport's T1 are open from 6:30 am until the end of flights in the region. T2 at Pudong airport is open 24 hours.

For Hongqiao airport T1 Duty Free Stores:

Departures: 7 am until the end of flights in the region

Arrivals: 8:30 am (every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), 10:30 am (every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) until the conclusion of the last flight.

Q11: What are the contact details for the duty-free stores at airports?

A11: Pudong Airport T1: 18301851177

Pudong Airport T2: 18301851188

Hongqiao Airport: 18301851166

If you wish to inquire about product availability or any other details, feel free to contact them directly.

Q12: If I have a connecting flight at Pudong airport, can I visit a duty-free store?

A12: You are permitted to enter the duty-free shops provided you have access to the international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan exit and entry halls for your connecting flight.

Source: Xinhua, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202408/28/WS66cee9a4a31060630b9256fb.html;Shanghai Airport Authority, shanghaiairport.com; english.shanghai.gov.cn