Imagine touching down in the Chinese mainland, suitcase heavy with finds—your shopping spree just got sweeter. On Sunday, the Chinese mainland unveiled a raft of measures to supercharge inbound shopping by easing departure tax refunds.
First up, the minimum spend to claim a refund at the same store on the same day has been slashed to just 200 yuan (about USDÂ 27.75). Coupled with robust risk management, travelers can now get rebates via mobile payments, bank cards, or cash. The cash refund ceiling? A generous 20,000 yuan per transaction.
To bring the policy closer to you, more tax refund outlets will pop up in top shopping districts, pedestrian streets, scenic spots, resorts, cultural sites, airports, passenger ports, and hotels. These shops are also expanding their shelves: expect time-honored brands, cutting-edge gadgets, intangible cultural heritage crafts, specialty foods, and other marquee 'must-buy' items.
Ahead of your next departure, buzzing citywide shopping events will showcase 'city gifts' and signature products, making your tax-free haul even more memorable.
Behind the scenes, the tax authorities have retooled the rules to streamline the process—no more waiting until departure. Earlier this month, the Chinese mainland shifted from a refund-upon-departure model to a refund-upon-purchase scheme, letting foreign visitors snag instant value-added tax rebates at eligible stores nationwide.
“Providing overseas travelers with a greater variety of shopping options and improved, more convenient tax refund services will help stimulate inbound consumption and support high-standard opening up and economic growth,” said Chen Binkai, vice president of the Central University of Finance and Economics.
With costs down and convenience up, the Chinese mainland is setting the stage for a retail rebound—one that beckons young global citizens, tech-savvy shoppers, and digital nomads to explore, experience, and shop like never before.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
