A lightweight medical device weighing just 7.6 grams, less than an eraser, has changed the life of a six-year-old boy from Zhejiang.
Diagnosed with congenital deafness, he received a cutting-edge SYNCHRONY 2 cochlear implant this year at Boao Super Hospital, located in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.
The device, imported under Hainan Free Trade Port’s “zero-tariff” policy, restored his hearing, and offered a glimpse into the far-reaching impact of this targeted incentive program.
This story is one of many that illustrate how Hainan’s zero-tariff policy is transforming access to world-class medical technology. Since the program’s launch, the total value of imported drugs and medical devices under the policy has surpassed 225 million yuan, with tax reductions totaling nearly 30 million yuan.
Targeted Policy, Tangible Benefits
The zero-tariff policy is designed specifically for the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone, allowing qualified entities, including certified medical institutions, medical universities, and pharmaceutical research institutes, to import two categories of medical products with full exemptions from import duties and VAT:
- Products approved for use overseas but not yet marketed in China (special imports).
- Products already approved for the Chinese market.
The financial benefits are significant. For example:
- A robotic arm system used for cochlear implant procedures valued at 1.5 million yuan sees a tax savings of 195,000 yuan per unit.
- A diabetes drug priced at 50,000 yuan benefits from nearly 6,000 yuan in tax savings per bottle.
Medical institutions in the zone report that the policy directly lowers procurement costs, making advanced therapies and devices more accessible to patients. In turn, this helps reduce overall healthcare costs and increases the availability of world-class treatments within China.
Expanding Reach and Impact
Boao Super Hospital alone has imported hundreds of medical products under the policy, with a total value exceeding 81 million yuan and tax savings of over 10 million yuan. Other institutions, such as Shulan (Boao) Hospital, are also actively participating. The scope of eligible products has expanded beyond cochlear implants to include sound processors, auditory brainstem implants, artificial bone bridges, intraocular lenses, and more.
To further scale impact, Haikou Customs has rolled out 22 measures to improve the port’s business environment and accelerate the implementation of the zero-tariff policy across Hainan. These include streamlined procedures and support for enterprises involved in international trade and healthcare innovation.
Faster Clearance, Greater Access
With the upcoming full launch of Hainan’s customs closure operations, the efficiency of zero-tariff imports is set to improve further. Goods brought into the island via the “first line” will benefit from direct release procedures, no inspections, no licensing checks, and no taxes, unless required. Declaration requirements will be simplified from 105 items to just 33, enabling much faster customs clearance.
This next phase is expected to drive greater participation from market players, reduce operational friction, and solidify Hainan as a national leader in health sector reform and international trade facilitation.
As Hainan Free Trade Port continues to roll out bold and business-friendly reforms, the zero-tariff policy for drugs and medical devices stands out as a clear success. It not only boosts the local healthcare ecosystem but also sets a precedent for how targeted policy tools can lower barriers, stimulate innovation, and deliver real-world benefits to citizens.
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