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hina has experienced a significant surge in inbound consumption following the implementation of its refined tax-refund-upon-departure policy. The State Taxation Administration reported that between April 27 and May 26, the number of departure tax refund transactions processed by the country's tax authorities increased by 116 percent year on year, with sales at tax refund stores climbing 56 percent.
Photo：xinhua
The country has expanded its refund-upon-purchase service model nationwide, leading to a 32-fold increase in the number of related transactions and a 50-fold surge in sales year on year. Driven by the new policy measures, 1,303 new departure tax refund stores were established across the country during the period, raising the total to 5,196, which is a 40 percent increase from the end of 2024.
China's latest efforts to encourage foreign tourist spending included a package of measures to optimize its departure tax refund policy. These measures lowered the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, raised the cash refund ceiling, expanded the network of participating stores, and broadened the range of products covered.
International tourists in China can now claim a tax refund if they spend at least 200 yuan (about $27.84) at a single store in a single day and meet other relevant requirements, with refunds payable in multiple forms, including mobile, bank, and cash payments. The upper limit for cash refunds has been raised to 20,000 yuan.
China's metropolises led this shopping surge. In the month following the policy rollout, Shanghai saw an 86 percent year-on-year increase in sales involving tax refund transactions and a 77 percent rise in the total amount refunded, according to local tax authorities.
This streamlined refund process has boosted shopping enthusiasm among international tourists. At WF Central, a luxury mall on Beijing's popular Wangfujing shopping street, a large banner promoting the refund-upon-purchase tax service hangs prominently in the central atrium. This service is now available at nearly 40 international-brand stores in the mall.
China is accelerating the development of international consumption center cities to stimulate inbound spending. The country is working to transform five cities—Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing—into major centers for shopping.
To further stimulate inbound consumption, China will increase its number of duty-free stores and expand the range of products eligible for the refund-upon-purchase service, particularly high-tech digital goods such as smartphones, smartwatches, and small household appliances, as well as items that are popular among younger consumers. China's Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping recently stated that China will continue to improve its international consumption environment, increase its supply of high-quality products, and create more diversified consumption scenarios to boost inbound consumption.
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Editor: Crystal H
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