Chongqing - Empty suitcases arriving in China and full suitcases leaving with new purchases have become a popular trend on overseas social media, where travelers share their "China haul" videos featuring products discovered during their trips.
A tourist from Jamaica participates in an interactive game at the world's first robot 6S store in Longgang District, Shenzhen, on August 4, 2026. (Photo/Xinhua)
The trend reflects a broader shift in China's consumer landscape. While foreign visitors are taking Chinese products home, China is also importing more goods from global markets, creating a two-way flow of consumption and trade.
In the first eight months of 2026, China's total goods trade reached 34.78 trillion yuan (about 5.2 trillion U.S. dollars), with imports rising 22% to 14.61 trillion yuan, according to official data.
The trend is also visible in tourism. During the 2026 National Day holiday, China recorded 682,000 inbound foreign arrivals, including 505,000 entries under visa-free policies, up 5.4% and 9.2% from the previous year, respectively.
Foreign shopping lists reflect China's changing industries
Chinese products have long attracted international visitors, but their shopping lists are changing.
Drones, handheld gimbals, AI glasses, smart wearables and foldable smartphones now join traditional souvenirs such as tea, silk and panda-themed products.
Foreign visitors shop for technology products at Raffles City Chongqing in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, on August 12, 2026. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
The shift reflects China's move from cost-focused manufacturing toward products driven by technology, design and brand value.
China has become the world's largest holder of artificial intelligence patents, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. Its industrial foundation and innovation capacity have supported the growth of new consumer products and brands.
For many overseas consumers, China's appeal is increasingly linked not only to affordability, but also to product performance and innovation.
Services reshape the international shopping experience
Beyond products, improvements in consumer services are changing how international visitors experience China.
In Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei commercial district, known for electronics trading, customers can select products and arrange delivery within the same area. In Chongqing, departure tax refund services have expanded into shopping centers, allowing eligible foreign visitors to apply for refunds during shopping trips.
Visa facilitation, cross-border payment services, and international consumer facilities have also lowered barriers for overseas visitors.
The shopping experience has increasingly become a channel for cultural exchange. Foreign visitors are buying products tied to Chinese lifestyles, including traditional medicine products, cultural and creative goods, and local specialties. Many also explore Hanfu photography, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and other cultural experiences.
Through social media sharing, these personal experiences are becoming new ways for global audiences to learn about Chinese products and culture.
China's imports connect global goods with domestic demand
China's "shopping cart" also reflects growing demand for international products.
In the first half of 2026, China's imports exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time during the same period.
The first batch of goods to enter China through Shenzhen Bay Port after China implemented zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, effective May 1, 2026. (Photo/Xinhua)
Industrial demand remains a major driver. In the first seven months of the year, imports of mechanical and electrical products reached 5.31 trillion yuan, while integrated circuit imports increased 52.1% year on year, reflecting demand from industries including artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing.
Imported agricultural products are also becoming part of everyday consumption. During the same period, agricultural imports reached 904.1 billion yuan, bringing products such as cherries from Chile, blueberries from Peru and seafood from global markets to Chinese consumers.
China has also expanded preferential trade arrangements. It has implemented zero-tariff treatment for 63 countries and extended unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all least developed countries with diplomatic relations with China.
From May to June 2026, China's imports from African countries under the expanded zero-tariff measures reached 193.8 billion yuan, up 23.5% year on year.
Expanding connections through an open market
China's "shopping cart" is expanding as global trade faces rising protectionist pressures.
China has continued to emphasize expanding high-level opening-up and connecting domestic and international markets. For consumers, this means broader access to global products; for businesses, it creates opportunities to participate in one of the world’s largest markets.
Maintaining this momentum requires further improvements in international consumer services, including visa procedures, payment systems and logistics networks.
It also depends on strengthening supply capacity. Chinese manufacturers face growing expectations to improve technology, build brands, and integrate cultural elements into products.
As China continues to link its domestic market with global supply chains, the country's "shopping cart" reflects a deeper economic connection with the world, with goods, services, and opportunities moving in both directions.