China simplifies departure tax refunds with paperless QR codes, random inspections for purchases under 10,000 yuan, a 28-day validity, and cross-regional exit options. Ideal for multi-city visitors. Effective July–September 2026.
Tags:China Just Made Tax Refunds Easier for Foreign Visitors
Great news! Recently, China has optimized services for departure tax refunds by rolling out a series of visitor-friendly measures, including paperless processing, random sampling for low-value refund applications, and cross-regional mutual recognition of instant tax refunds, to comprehensively improve processing efficiency and enhance the tourist refund experience.
One QR code for tax refunds nationwide
Upon entering China, inbound tourists can scan a QR code and register their identity information once.
They will then receive an exclusive Departure Tax Refund Service Code that can be used across the country.
The code is valid at designated tax refund stores and departure ports nationwide. Procedures including the issuance of refund documents, customs verification and refund agency review can be handled online by scanning the code.
Tourists can also use their mobile phones to check digital refund receipts, electronic invoices and the status of their applications at any time.
Random inspections for purchases under 10,000 yuan
Since July 1, 2026, customs authorities have no longer required a physical inspection for every tax refund application involving purchases worth less than 10,000 yuan.
Instead, these applications are selected for physical inspection at a prescribed random sampling rate. If an application is not selected, no physical inspection is required.
Tourists can present their Departure Tax Refund Service Code to retrieve completed refund information and proceed with customs clearance.
Purchases corresponding to a single tax refund of 10,000 yuan or more must still undergo a physical inspection.
Check our latest video on China Visa and foreign-related knowledge!
Follow our channel for updates 👇
Instant tax refunds are valid for 28 days
Also from July 1, China introduced a unified 28-day validity period for instant tax refund services.
The longer and standardized period gives inbound tourists more time to travel around China after receiving a refund advance at a participating store.
Visitors can leave from a different region
China further upgraded its instant tax refund service on September 1 by introducing cross-regional mutual recognition.
Eligible tourists who apply for an instant refund at the place of purchase can now leave China from a different departure location.
After completing the required procedures and receiving a refund advance at a designated store, visitors will gradually be able to choose eligible departure ports across the country rather than returning to the region where they made the purchase.
For example, a tourist could enter China through Beijing, buy goods and receive an advance refund in Shanghai or Jiangsu, and then complete customs verification when departing from an airport in Guangdong.
The changes are intended to make tax refund procedures more convenient for overseas visitors while giving them greater flexibility to arrange longer, multi-city trips in China.
Source: 国家税务总局
If you have any questions about China visa applications(work visa, company registration and more), please contact our visa consultant Freya.
You Might Also Be Interested In Our Platform AnyShanghai
"New CN-US Friendship!" As TikTok Refugees Flock to Xiaohongshu
For the latest jobs&policy updates, scan the code below to follow AnyJob!
We have 30+ advisors so far,
Scan code above to view more advisors for other fields!
Promotion Services for expat-friendly businesses. Learn more by contacting us.
Get news, tips, and events in China
Connect with expat communities and industry experts
Click "Wow" if you like this article
No comments:
Post a Comment