Eligibility & access

Q: Who can shop at airport duty-free stores?

A: Duty-free stores located in airport departure and arrival restricted areas serve passengers departing on or arriving from international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan flights. The availability of departure and arrival duty-free stores varies by airport and terminal.

Passengers traveling solely on domestic flights cannot access duty-free stores located in international departure or arrival restricted areas.

Q: Can connecting passengers shop at a duty-free store at Pudong airport?

A: Access depends on the passenger's transfer route and the areas they enter during the transfer.

Passengers who remain in or enter the international departure restricted area may use the duty-free stores located there. Passengers transferring between domestic flights cannot access the international duty-free area.

Some international transfer passengers remain in the transit area and do not pass through the arrival duty-free shopping area. Passengers should follow the airport's transfer signs or ask airport staff which stores are accessible along their route.

Store locations

Q: Which terminals have duty-free stores?

A: At Pudong airport, duty-free stores are available in the international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan departure areas of Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the S1 and S2 satellite concourses. Arrival duty-free shopping facilities are available in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

At Hongqiao airport, the airport's current store directory lists a duty-free store in the international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan departure restricted area of Terminal 1. Terminal 2 does not have an airport duty-free store.

Store locations, opening hours, and product ranges vary by terminal, concourse, and outlet.

Requirements

Q: What documents are required to purchase duty-free goods?

A: Passengers generally need to present a valid travel document, such as a passport, together with a boarding pass or other valid proof of travel.

Arrival duty-free purchases must be completed before the passenger leaves the customs-controlled arrival area. Additional information may be required when reserving goods for collection on return.

Q: What payment methods are accepted?

A: Products are generally priced in renminbi. Accepted payment methods may include cash, major bank cards, and mobile payment services, but availability may vary by outlet. Passengers are advised to confirm with the store before making a purchase.

Q: Are there limits on the value or quantity of duty-free goods I can purchase?

A: Rules differ between departure and arrival purchases.

Purchases made at departure duty-free stores are subject to the store's sales rules, aviation security and baggage requirements, and the customs rules of the passenger's destination and any transit point. Certain products, including tobacco and alcoholic beverages, may be subject to quantity restrictions.

Purchases made at an arrival duty-free store, including goods reserved before departure and collected on return, are subject to China's customs rules on inbound passengers' baggage and duty-free allowances.

For resident passengers arriving from places other than Hong Kong and Macao, goods purchased at an arrival duty-free store, together with eligible personal-use items acquired overseas, generally qualify for duty-free clearance within a combined value of 8,000 yuan.

For resident passengers aged 18 or above arriving from Hong Kong or Macao, the corresponding combined allowance is generally 15,000 yuan.

Different rules may apply depending on the passenger's residency status, point of departure, travel frequency, and the type and quantity of goods.

Shopping & pick-up process

Q: Can I shop before departure or after returning to Shanghai?

A: At Pudong airport, passengers may shop at departure duty-free stores before their flight or at an arrival duty-free store before leaving the customs-controlled arrival area.

Goods purchased before departure may be carried on the flight, subject to aviation security and baggage rules. Passengers may also be able to reserve goods before departure and collect and pay for them when they return to Pudong airport.

At Hongqiao airport, the airport's current store directory lists a duty-free store only in the international, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan departure restricted area of Terminal 1.

Q: How can I reserve goods before departure and collect them on my return?

A: This service is available at Pudong airport.

When reserving goods, passengers may be asked to provide their return date, flight number, and contact information. The store will provide a reservation record and collection instructions.

On return, passengers must present the required reservation record and travel documents at the designated arrival collection counter and complete payment.

Service procedures and collection-counter hours should be confirmed with the duty-free operator.

Q: Can I remove individual items from my reservation when collecting my order?

A: Passengers can generally decline individual reserved items at the time of collection without canceling the entire reservation. As the goods have not yet been paid for or collected, this is treated as an adjustment to the reservation rather than a product return.

Travel rules

Q: Can duty-free goods be taken on board?

A: Most duty-free goods may be carried on board, subject to aviation security, airline baggage rules, and the requirements of any transit airport.

Duty-free liquids may need to remain sealed in a security tamper-evident bag together with proof of purchase. Passengers should not open the bag before completing their journey.

Because rules for liquids may differ at transit airports, passengers with connecting flights should check with their airline before making a purchase.

Hours & contact

Q: When are the airport duty-free stores open?

A: Opening hours vary by airport, terminal, concourse, and outlet and may change with flight schedules.

Passengers should check the current Shanghai Airport store directory or contact the duty-free operator for the opening hours of a specific outlet before traveling.

Q: How can I contact the airport duty-free stores?

A: Shanghai Airport service hotline: 021-96990

Updated Sept 18, 2026

Source: Shanghai Airport Authority