12月18日，海南自由贸易港全岛封关。记者直击——全岛封关第一天

Core Viewpoint - Hainan Free Trade Port has officially launched its full island customs closure, marking a significant step in China's high-level opening-up strategy, with a focus on facilitating trade and investment while maintaining regulatory oversight [8][9][38]. Group 1: Customs Closure and Operations - The customs closure is defined both physically and institutionally, allowing for a high level of openness while maintaining regulatory control [9]. - The first international passenger flight after the customs closure arrived at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, indicating the start of increased international travel [8][10]. - The number of visa-free countries for entry into Hainan has more than doubled since 2018, with significant increases in individual visa-free travel and business-related entries [11][12][14]. Group 2: Trade Facilitation Measures - The customs process has been significantly streamlined, reducing the number of required declaration items from 105 to 33 for certain goods, which has led to cost savings for businesses [15]. - The range of "zero tariff" goods has expanded from over 1,900 to 6,600 tax items, increasing the proportion of zero-tariff goods from 21% to 74% [15]. - The establishment of the "China Yangpu Port" ship registration policy allows for more favorable conditions for shipping companies, enhancing Hainan's attractiveness for maritime operations [16][17]. Group 3: Port and Inspection Infrastructure - The new "second-line" ports are expected to handle over 80% of Hainan's truck traffic, with significant investments in infrastructure to support efficient customs operations [18][21]. - The first day of customs closure saw successful testing of the new inspection processes, with vehicles passing through in an average of 2 minutes [19]. - The integration of data across various regulatory bodies has improved the efficiency of customs operations, allowing for better coordination and faster processing times [20][21]. Group 4: Economic Impact and Business Opportunities - The launch of customs closure has led to increased business activities, with companies like CRRC International Vehicle Industry (Hainan) completing customs-free maintenance on imported engines, reducing costs by over 15% [27][28][30]. - The new policies have also stimulated consumer spending, with the duty-free shopping limit for residents increasing significantly, leading to a 27.1% year-on-year growth in duty-free sales [34][36]. - The logistics and supply chain processes have been enhanced, with a 60% increase in efficiency for customs clearance of duty-free goods, benefiting both businesses and consumers [37].