Location of the 1st downtown duty-free shop in Xi'an confirmed
On March 12, the Xi'an Downtown Duty-Free Shop Business Operation Agreement was officially signed.
The Xi'an Downtown Duty-Free Shop will be constructed and operated by Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Duty-Free Goods Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Duty Free Group. It will be located in the Zhongda International Shopping Mall in the Beilin District. The shop will cover an area of 2,050 square meters and will operate for a term of 10 years. Once completed and operational, the shop will greatly enhance duty-free shopping for both citizens departing China and international tourists visiting Shaanxi.
Xi'an and the China Duty Free Group will collaborate to explore the development potential of local time-honored brands, high-quality specialty products, cultural and creative goods, and China-chic brands in Shaanxi. By offering a diverse product assortment and an attractive shopping environment, the shop aims to cater to both domestic and international tourists, fulfilling their shopping needs and enhancing the commercial and tourism-related facilities and services in Xi'an. The objective is to create a comprehensive tourism retail destination that showcases elements of Xi'an, with the downtown duty-free shops serving as the core.
In August 2024, the Chinese Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Culture and Tourism, General Administration of Customs, and State Taxation Administration issued a notification to establish 8 downtown duty-free shops in the country, and Xi'an is the only city in Northwest China to receive this designation. Xi'an's abundant cultural, commercial, and tourism resources give it a significant advantage. Especially in recent years, with the favorable conditions of visa-free entry policies and the resumption of international flights, Xi'an has consistently ranked among China's top ten inbound tourism destinations.
A downtown duty-free shop refers to a shop that has been approved by the State Council of China and is established downtown to sell duty-free goods to passengers who are about to depart from the country.
Downtown duty-free shops will operate on a pre-purchase in the city and pick-up at the port before departure model. After shopping at a downtown duty-free shop, passengers must pick up their purchased items at the duty-free goods pick-up point in the port's departure area and carry them out of the country in one go.
The downtown duty-free shops mainly sell easily portable consumer goods such as food, clothing and accessories, luggage, shoes and hats, maternal and baby products, jewelry and crafts, electronics, cosmetics, and alcohol.
Eligible travelers
The notification specifies that downtown duty-free shops are intended for travelers departing via air transport or international cruise within 60 days (including but not limited to Chinese nationals).
Requirement of downtown duty-free shops for travelers:
1. Travelers shall possess valid exit and entry documents and have purchased tickets for outbound flights or international cruises.
2. Travelers must present proof of purchase (such as the receipt) and valid entry/exit documents at the duty-free goods collection point to retrieve duty-free items.
3. Travelers shall shop at duty-free shops in the city of the departure port.
