China Duty Free Group Opens Xiamen Downtown Duty-Free Store
China Duty Free Group (CDFG) inaugurated its 2,087 square meter Xiamen downtown duty-free store on September 5, 2026. This collaboration with Xiangye Group offers both duty-free and duty-paid goods, including international and domestic beauty brands.
New Retail Hub in Xiamen
CDFG inaugurated its 2,087 square meter Xiamen downtown duty-free store on September 5, 2026. This project is a collaboration between CDFG and Xiangye Group, a state-owned enterprise based in Xiamen. The facility is located on the first floor of Zhonghua City, a significant retail complex in Xiamen’s central business district.
The store offers both duty-free and duty-paid merchandise, featuring a range of imported and domestic products. China Tourism Group Deputy General Manager Lin Nüchao attended the opening ceremony, themed 'New Wave of Duty Free', alongside government officials and other guests.
Product Range and Traveler Services
The duty-free section stocks international brands across fragrances, cosmetics, spirits, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and electronics. It also includes a selection of Chinese brands. Travelers departing from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport can purchase items up to 60 days in advance and collect them at the airport's departure area.
The duty-paid offering features a 'China Chic' zone, which showcases domestic spirits, electronics, cosmetics, watches, wellness products, and gifts. Overseas shoppers spending RMB200 (US$29.80) or more on eligible duty-paid items can receive an immediate tax refund. The store also uses a 'single-package, single-barcode' refund system to simplify customs clearance.
Strategic Intent and Design
CDFG states the Xiamen store strengthens its national duty-free network, providing a retail platform that integrates shopping, culture, and specific activities. The company claims this opening aligns with national policies encouraging consumption and expanding domestic demand.
It also supports CDFG's efforts to upgrade duty-free services and contribute to China’s new development frameworks. The store design incorporates elements of Minnan (southern Fujian) and Nanyang (China’s southern coastal region) architectural styles, such as decorative tiles and shophouses.
A bistro within the store serves drinks, providing a setting for retail, relaxation, and social media sharing, according to CDFG.
Implications for Asia's Beauty Market
This expansion in Xiamen shows CDFG’s strategy to diversify retail options and boost market activity in key Chinese cities. For beauty brands, both international and domestic, the store provides an additional channel to reach consumers, particularly those traveling through Xiamen.
The dual duty-free and duty-paid model, combined with advance purchase and tax refund services, aims to improve the shopping experience for travelers and local residents. CDFG states this development supports Xiamen’s goal of becoming an international consumption hub and drives regional development.
The focus on 'China Chic' also highlights the increasing importance of domestic beauty and wellness brands within the duty-paid sector.
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