A large duty-free mall in Haitang Bay

cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex is at 118 Haitang North Road in Haitang District, a drive from downtown Sanya. The official store page describes the area as next to the eastern section of the G98 Hainan Ring Expressway. The building has a continuous curved steel structure and glass curtain walls, and inside are tiered atriums and connecting walkways. The official store page and the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau give different figures for the number of buildings and brands, so the on-site guide is more reliable. The duty-free goods list was adjusted to 47 categories in November 2025 (up from 45). The store page lists opening hours of 10:00–22:00 daily.

Its main business is an offshore duty-free store, but it also includes taxable retail, dining and cultural exhibits; it is not a single shop selling only duty-free cosmetics. The site is large and the shops are dense. Decide which categories you want first, then use the directory to find the right building and floor; that saves time compared with walking every shop from the ground floor. Compared with Jiefang Road Pedestrian Street downtown or Baihuagu in Yalong Bay, it suits one concentrated shopping trip before leaving the island rather than a casual stroll.

More than perfume and cosmetics

Duty-free goods cover perfume and cosmetics, clothing, watches and jewelry, liquor, infant formula and health supplements, home appliances and electronics. From November 1, 2025, the official list added pet supplies and portable musical instruments and expanded the scope of small home appliances and consumer electronics, for a total of 47 categories after the adjustment. Unit prices, purchase limits and pickup rules differ by category, so the shelf price alone does not tell you the conditions that apply.

Beauty and fragrance products, watches and bags are common here, along with liquor, electronics and gifts. A duty-free price difference does not mean every item is cheaper than outside Hainan; promotions, stock and model differences all affect the actual price. Before buying, compare the model, volume and after-sales terms with a counter in mainland China or the official online order page. For expensive items, also confirm the warranty, return and exchange terms and how you will carry the item, rather than ordering just because it is duty-free.

Glass dome, connecting walkways and escalators in the indoor atrium of the duty-free complex
Indoor atrium and glass dome, photographed in 2019; the shops and displays have since changed. Kitabc12345 · Photo credits ↗

Who can buy, and how to collect

According to official announcements checked on November 12, 2026, buyers must be at least 18 years old, must already have bought a flight, train or ferry ticket to leave Hainan Island, and must carry their own valid identity card or travel document; foreign visitors can use a passport. From November 1, 2025, travelers leaving the island and departing the country can also buy, with purchases counted toward the quota of 100,000 yuan per person per year; the number of purchases is not limited. This adjustment did not raise the 100,000 yuan quota.

Common pickup methods include collecting in person at designated areas of the airport, railway station or port when leaving the island; having eligible goods mailed to an address outside Hainan Province; “buy and collect on the spot” for items under 20,000 yuan each that are on the prescribed list; and “deposit-and-collect” for items priced at 50,000 yuan or more each; for those, the buyer can apply to customs for verification and a refund of the deposit when leaving the island. The buyer, the payer and the person collecting the goods must be the same person. Allow time for mailing, deposit-and-collect or collection at departure, and do not leave pickup until the last moment before your flight. Policies and how stores apply them do change, so check the customs and duty-free store instructions for the day once more before you set out.

Multi-level commercial space and ring-shaped connecting walkways at the duty-free complex
Connecting walkways seen from an upper level toward the atrium, photographed in 2019; the photo shows the space only and does not represent current brands. Kitabc12345 · Photo credits ↗

Useful official references

Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.