On April 8, China's State Taxation Administration officially announced the nationwide rollout of the "instant tax refund at purchase" service for departing foreign visitors.
The announcement clarified the key details, processing procedures, and implementation timeline of the initiative, which had previously been piloted in several major cities.
The "instant tax refund at purchase" policy allows eligible foreign tourists to receive their tax refunds in Chinese yuan directly at designated stores, immediately after making a purchase. This is contingent upon signing an agreement and completing a credit card pre-authorization. The policy had already been trialed in regions including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen.
Unlike the traditional process where tourists claim tax refunds at the airport before departure, this new measure advances the refund step to the point of sale. Foreign visitors can receive their refunds on the spot, making the benefit of tax-free shopping more immediate and tangible—potentially encouraging further spending during their trip.
According to the announcement, once a foreign visitor makes a qualifying purchase at a participating store and completes the credit card pre-authorization, the store can instantly issue a cash refund in yuan equal to the tax rebate amount. Upon departure, customs officers will verify the traveler's identity and purchased goods. If all refund information is confirmed by the tax refund agency, the credit card pre-authorization will be promptly released, finalizing the refund process.
The notice also specifies that any tax refund store interested in offering this service can apply to become a designated "instant refund" outlet by reaching an agreement with the local tax refund agency.
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