In Dec 2024, China’s leading market regulator announced the approval of new regulations facilitating the temporary importation of specialized medical foods and health supplements within the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has sanctioned provisional guidelines that enable the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan to import limited volumes of specially formulated medical foods and dietary supplements that are legally available abroad but are not yet approved for the Chinese mainland market. This initiative aims to bolster Hainan’s extensive reform and opening-up strategy, with the goal of establishing the island as a frontrunner in the international medical tourism landscape, according to the regulator.
Under these newly implemented rules, designated medical institutions within the pilot zone are authorized to import small quantities of specialized formula foods intended for rare diseases, specific full-nutrition medical foods, and a regulated amount of health supplements. This policy is designed to cater to the clinical nutritional requirements of patients battling rare and specialized conditions while also addressing broader public health needs.
Furthermore, it aims to motivate companies to enhance their research and development efforts in these niche food sectors, as indicated by the regulator. This regulatory easing coincides with China’s ambition to transform Hainan into a premier global free trade port, highlighting the government’s commitment to healthcare innovation and reform. Since its establishment in 2013, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has been empowered by unique policies that allow eligible pharmaceuticals and medical devices licensed overseas—yet unavailable domestically—to be accessible to patients through streamlined procedures. Building on prior supportive initiatives, in September, the Chinese government announced plans to waive import tariffs and value-added tax on qualifying medications and medical devices in the Lecheng pilot zone until 2025.
In addition to introducing sophisticated medical resources to China, the pilot zone is also making strides in attracting an increasing number of international clients, particularly from Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia. With China’s facilitation measures, which include unilateral visa exemptions for a broader range of countries, the pilot zone is evolving into an emerging hub for international medical tourism, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
In 2023, Boao Lecheng welcomed 302,500 medical tourists, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year increase of 60.05 percent. The trend continues into this year, with the pilot zone recording over 320,000 medical tourists from January to October, marking a notable 37 percent increase compared to the previous year.
