Recently, six national authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Taxation Administration, released the Notice on Further Optimizing Departure Tax Refund Measures and Expanding Inbound Consumption. The new policy package introduces eight actionable and implementable concrete measures that aim to ensure a more convenient, faster, and easier tax refund experience for overseas visitors.

 

 

1. Wider coverage of tax refund stores. More eligible stores will be encouraged to register as tax refund stores, while the overall distribution of participating stores will be optimized in a more coordinated manner. Local authorities will be encouraged to identify a number of key business districts, scenic areas, markets, and ports with high volumes of overseas visitors and ensure nearly full coverage of tax refund stores across these priority sites.

 

2. Random inspections for small-value refund applications. Starting July 1, 2026, tax refund applications involving refund-eligible sales below RMB 10,000 will be subject to physical inspection on a random sampling basis at a certain proportion. For those involving refund-eligible sales of RMB 10,000 or above, physical inspection will continue to be conducted on an order-by-order basis.

 

3. Improved refund-upon-purchase services. The “immediate tax refund upon purchase” services will be further optimized by promoting cross-regional mutual recognition of the services. Travelers who are eligible for the services will be able to finalize departure tax refunds at ports in other cities. In addition, the departure deadline for the “immediate tax refund upon purchase” services will be extended to 28 days nationwide.

 

4. Paperless tax refund processing. Starting July 1, 2026, customs authorities and tax refund agencies will be allowed to verify tax refund application forms and sales invoices for refund-eligible goods electronically and process refunds online. The policy will enable paperless processing across the entire tax refund process.

 

5. Tax refund service platforms at major exhibitions. Dedicated departure tax refund service zones will be set up at China International Import Expo, China Import and Export Fair, China International Consumer Products Expo, and other major exhibitions to facilitate shopping and tax refund services for exhibitors.

 

6. Optimization of inbound consumption environment. International consumption center cities and pilot cities for international consumption environments will strengthen implementation of departure tax refund policies, further facilitate payment, and foster a number of influential international consumption clusters. Further efforts will be made to increase international passenger flights to facilitate inbound travel.

 

7. Stronger policy promotion. A variety of publicity materials on the departure tax refund policy will be produced and distributed through diverse channels, including inbound flights, airports, hotels, and media platforms. They will offer overseas visitors more accessible information on tax refund services.

 

8. Overseas promotion. In alignment with efforts to build the “Shopping in China” brand, promotional activities will be carried out overseas to further enhance the international awareness of the policy.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Home in Chengdu