Thursday, August 29, 2024 On Tuesday, China’s government announced a revision in the duty-free shopping regulations. This update permits twelve urban duty-free stores in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province to offer products to international travelers, including Chinese citizens. These travelers must be departing from the mainland via airplane or international cruise within the next 60 days.
A significant change from previous expectations is the requirement for shoppers to collect their purchases at departure points such as airports or cruise terminals. Items must be exported immediately, ruling out the convenience of home delivery or collection upon return. This shift aims to streamline the process but reduces flexibility for consumers.
Urban duty-free outlets, unlike their airport counterparts, provide advantages such as a broader selection of stock-keeping units (SKUs), more extensive retail spaces, and the opportunity to shop up to two months prior to departure. However, these benefits come with a drawback: local buyers who previously could buy at airport duty-free stores and reclaim their goods post-trip without the burden of carrying them throughout their journey might find this option less appealing..