The Chinese mainland is making shopping more appealing for overseas visitors by easing its tax refund rules. Starting Sunday, travelers can apply for a tax refund if they spend at least 200 yuan (about $27.75) at the same store on the same day, according to a new circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce and five other government departments.
To better suit the diverse payment preferences of overseas shoppers, refunds will now be available through multiple channels, including mobile payments, bank cards, and cash. The upper limit for cash refunds has been raised to 20,000 yuan, making the process more convenient than ever.
The plan also includes expanding the number of tax refund stores. More shops will open in major shopping areas, pedestrian streets, tourist sites, resorts, cultural venues, airports, passenger ports, and hotels. These stores are encouraged to offer a wider range of products, from time-honored brands and smart devices to intangible cultural heritage items, crafts, and specialty products.
A series of promotional activities will launch to boost shopping in the Chinese mainland. Local efforts will focus on cultivating and highlighting high-quality signature products like “city gifts” and “must-buy” items available in tax refund stores.
Meanwhile, regulations have been revised to streamline services and simplify the refund process, helping overseas travelers more easily benefit from tax refund policies. Earlier this month, the Chinese mainland shifted from a refund-upon-departure model to a refund-upon-purchase model, allowing foreign visitors to instantly claim value-added tax rebates at tax-free stores across the country.
“Providing overseas travelers with a greater variety of shopping options and more convenient tax refund services will help stimulate inbound consumption and support economic growth,” said Chen Binkai, vice president of the Central University of Finance and Economics.
