China makes tax refunds easier for foreign visitors
05-19,2026
A tax free sign seen in Shanghai. YIN LIQIN/CHINA NEWS SERVICEChina unveiled on Monday a new package of measures to make tax
refunds easier for foreign visitors, as Beijing seeks to stimulate
inbound consumption and support the recovery of international travel.The policy, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and five other
government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance and the State
Taxation Administration, outlines eight steps aimed at improving the
country's departure tax refund system for overseas travelers.The measures upgrade an earlier policy released in 2025 and are
designed to make the process "more convenient, faster and easier" for
foreign shoppers, according to an official notice.A key component of the plan is expanding the number of tax refund
stores. Authorities will encourage more eligible retailers to register
as tax refund outlets and optimize their geographic distribution,
particularly in areas with high concentrations of international visitors
such as major shopping districts, tourist attractions, markets and
ports of entry.Local governments are also encouraged to ensure that tax refund
services are widely available in key commercial zones and travel
destinations.Starting from July 1, China will introduce a random inspection system
for smaller refund claims. Refund applications involving purchases of
less than 10,000 yuan ($1,380) will be subject to spot checks rather
than mandatory physical inspection of goods, while applications at or
above that threshold will continue to require full verification.Officials say the change is intended to speed up processing for most travelers while maintaining regulatory oversight.The notice also calls for improvements to the country's
"buy-and-refund-immediately" scheme, which allows foreign visitors to
receive tax refunds directly at participating stores instead of waiting
until departure. Under the new policy, authorities will promote
cross-regional recognition of the service so that tourists who receive
instant refunds at the point of purchase can complete final verification
at a different departure port.In addition, the time limit for completing departure procedures under
the instant refund program will be standardized nationwide at 28 days.China will also push forward paperless processing for tax refunds.
From July 1, customs authorities and tax refund agencies will be allowed
to verify refund application forms and sales invoices online, enabling
the entire refund procedure to be handled digitally.Officials also plan to set up dedicated tax refund service areas at
major trade exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo,
the China Import and Export Fair and the China International Consumer
Products Expo, to facilitate purchases and refund services for overseas
buyers attending the events.Beyond procedural changes, the policy also aims to improve the
overall consumption environment for international visitors. Cities
designated as international consumption hubs or pilot zones for
globalized retail environments are encouraged to expand tax refund
services, improve payment convenience and build globally competitive
shopping districts.Authorities also pledged to promote additional international
passenger flights to make travel to China easier for overseas visitors.The policy comes as China steps up efforts to revive inbound tourism
and cross-border consumption, while positioning retail spending by
international travelers as a new source of growth for the country's
consumer economy.Government agencies will also strengthen overseas promotion of
China's tax refund policies as part of a broader campaign to build the
"Shopping in China" brand and attract more international shoppers, the
notice said.
