The Hainan Free Trade Port has officially launched the island-wide customs closure on December 18, implementing an import and export system of "first-line liberalization, second-line control, and freedom within the island". After the customs closure, the zero-tariff items imported from Hainan were expanded from 1,900+ to 6,600+, covering 74% of goods, including imported cars.
Some media reports pointed out that after Hainan closed its customs, it enjoyed a zero-tariff policy.The imported BMW X5, originally priced at RMB 600,000, now sells for only RMB 350,000 in Hainan Island after exemption from tariffs, value-added tax, and consumption tax. A Porsche Cayenne, originally priced at more than RMB 1.2 million, can be bought for more than RMB 600,000.
This has also triggered heated discussions among netizens. Some netizens joked: "Let's take a plane to Hainan to buy luxury cars now." Some online merchants have even launched a luxury car purchasing service in Hainan Island.
So the question is, can mainland individuals really buy zero-tariff imported cars in Hainan and then drive them back to the mainland? The answer is no.
The first thing to understand is that after Hainan Island closed the customs, the price of zero-tariff imported luxury cars will indeed be much cheaper. Previous reports showed thatA company in Hainan imported three Rolls-Royce Cullinans at zero tariff for 8.45 million yuan, while the money was only enough to sell one in the mainland.
This is because imported cars purchased in the mainland include customs duties, value-added tax, and consumption tax. The combined tax rate of these three items is as high as 31.26%-116.58%. If it is a super luxury model with a CIF price of more than 900,000 yuan, a 10% luxury car tax is also added. In contrast, Hainan's zero-tariff imported cars are much cheaper than those in the mainland.
but,It is not feasible for ordinary consumers to go to Hainan to buy a car because "zero-tariff" imported cars are not suitable for personal consumption.
The "Measures" stipulate that Hainan's tax-free policy for imported cars is only for enterprises engaged in transportation and tourism in Hainan. The vehicles must be used for operations, and must be equipped with autonomous vehicle satellite positioning terminals and implement networked joint control with the supervision system.
At the same time, the vehicle must ensure that at least one end of the origin and destination is within the Hainan Free Trade Port, and the cumulative stay in mainland China does not exceed 120 days per year (calculated on a daily basis, regardless of the number of times). And even if it is purchased by an enterprise, conditions must be met: the company must have more than 15 vehicles that have been in operation for three years, or it must import no less than 15 zero-tariff vehicles at one time.
Even if you are qualified to purchase through corporate channels, you will be subject to strict restrictions. First of all, this car cannot be freely transferred - even if it needs to be transferred for special reasons, Haikou Customs must obtain consent and go through relevant procedures before the transfer. If it is transferred to a non-preferential entity, back taxes must be paid;
Secondly, all "zero-tariff" imported cars must be registered as operational, which means they will be scrapped in 15 years; thirdly, this car must not stay outside Hainan for more than 120 days in total each year.
Therefore, if a merchant claims that they have a way to purchase zero-tariff luxury cars for you in Hainan,Don't believe it, this situation is basically a scam.