Boao Lecheng pilot zone: what official English pages say about medical institutions

The Hainan government's English site says the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, approved by the State Council in 2013, is located in Qionghai, near the core area of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Special licences in the zone

The Hainan page describes the zone's policy framework as built around four special licenses for medical practice, research, business operations and international medical exchange.

The same page lists preferential policies that include simplified approval procedures for urgently needed medicines and devices, support for medical institutions to carry out clinical tests, and the establishment of an e-prescription center.

Medical devices not legitimately available in China

A State Council English page, updated Apr 8,2018, says the State Council decided to suspend implementation of item 2, article 11 of the Regulations for the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices in the pilot zone, as a move to support Hainan's international medical tourism industries.

That page says that, according to the decision, if there is an urgent need in the pilot zone for certain medical devices not legitimately available in China, the Hainan provincial government can authorize the imports but those devices must be used in designated hospitals.

It also says the State Council urges the State Drug Administration, Hainan provincial government and other relevant departments to stipulate specific regulations on approval conditions and processes for importing medical devices.

Which institutions the tax exemption covers

A State Council English page, updated September 6, 2024, says China will apply exemptions on import tariffs and value-added tax for eligible drugs and medical devices in the pilot zone, before the whole island achieves independent customs operations in 2025.

That page says the circular, jointly publicized by the Ministry of Finance and four other departments, made clear that the policy applies to medical institutions, medical education colleges and universities, and pharmaceutical research institutes registered and recognized with independent legal person status in the pilot zone.

Questions people ask

What is the Boao Lecheng pilot zone?

Which institutions does the tax exemption apply to?

A State Council English page, updated September 6, 2024, says the circular, jointly publicized by the Ministry of Finance and four other departments, made clear that the policy applies to medical institutions, medical education colleges and universities, and pharmaceutical research institutes registered and recognized with independent legal person status in the pilot zone.

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general administrative information. It is not published by the bodies named above, and it is not medical advice. If it differs from the official pages, the official pages prevail, and rules may change after the check date.