Since the beginning of this year, Hainan has seen a surge in cross-border travel, with exchanges and cooperation thriving in the run-up to the implementation of special customs operations. Data released by Haikou Customs on July 9 reveals that in the first half of the year, the number of inbound and outbound passengers at Hainan ports reached 1.196 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.6%. Customs supervised 8,433 inbound and outbound flights and cruise ships, an increase of 18.47%.

On June 9, 2025, Flight GJ8851 landed at Haikou Meilan International Airport, marking the official launch of the Hangzhou–Haikou–Jakarta route. (Photo: Haikou Meilan International Airport)

 Travel to the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is becoming increasingly convenient as it becomes gradually more connected to the wider world. In the first half of this year, Haikou Meilan International Airport launched direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, London, and other destinations, and Sanya Phoenix International Airport added three routes to Russia. Multi-leg routes, such as the "Hangzhou-Haikou-Jakarta" service, have also been launched, further bolstering Hainan's international hub status.

The Hainan FTP's visa-free entry policies continue to be optimized, enabling foreign nationals to visit the island more easily. Hainan's visa-free entry policy for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries, together with China's nationally applicable mutual visa exemption agreements (27 countries) and unilateral visa exemption policy (47 countries), enable ordinary passport holders from 85 countries to enter Hainan without a visa.

International travelers check in at Haikou Meilan International Airport for a direct flight from Haikou to London. (Photo: Haikou Meilan International Airport)

With the aim of further facilitating entry and exit and improving passenger clearance efficiency and travel experience, customs authorities have implemented the following measures:

I. "Immediate inspection upon arrival" for cruise ships and aircraftThe "One Step Ahead" boarding quarantine model for passengers

II. Self-service areas equipped with multilingual self-service health declaration terminals

III. Launching the “China Customs at Your Fingertips” WeChat mini-program, enabling travelers to complete customs declarations online

IV. "One-time inspection" for outbound luggage and "machine-assisted pre-inspection" for inbound checked luggage

As Hainan's international flight route network and policy dividends continue to expand, the tropical island province is becoming increasingly accessible, further boosting its attractiveness as a destination for tourists from other countries and regions.