Sanya City. (Source: Sanya Business District Cultural Investment Co., Ltd.)

Hainan has recently approved its first public bonded warehouse for the international trade of cultural heritage and artworks. The project, developed by Sanya Business District Cultural Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sanya Business District Development Group, will be located on the first basement level of the China Hainan International Cultural Heritage and Art Exchange.

Once operational, the warehouse will offer bonded storage, global sourcing, international distribution, and re-export services for cultural relics and artworks. These services will help businesses lower storage, logistics, and financing costs while strengthening Sanya's infrastructure for international art trade.

Preparations for the project are underway. Sanya Business District Cultural Investment Co., Ltd. will upgrade some of the trading center's facilities, connect its warehouse management system to customs supervision systems, improve operating procedures, and train staff. Work is expected to be completed between April and May 2027.

Sanya already has facilities for art exhibitions, auctions, and trading, and has hosted several art auctions and sales events. However, the city lacks dedicated bonded storage facilities. Artworks imported for exhibition or sale have generally required individual approvals, along with payment of applicable taxes and fees. This has led to lengthy procedures and tied up businesses' capital. Some imported artworks have also had to be transported to the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone for storage, adding time and transportation costs.

Once the warehouse opens, imported artworks can be stored, inspected, and placed in bonded storage directly in Sanya, with applicable taxes paid after each transaction is completed. This will reduce unnecessary transportation and the capital tied up in cross-border art trading, making it easier to exhibit, trade, and distribute international artworks in the city.