Hey travel fam! China is stepping up convenience with its new instant tax refund policy across the country 🛍️. If you're an overseas visitor shopping in China, you can now get your VAT refund immediately – say goodbye to waiting until departure!
The State Taxation Administration (STA) announced the update on April 8, building on pilot programs in hotspots like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu. This policy now reaches even more cities, including central hubs in Hunan, where buyers must stay under 183 days and depart via Changsha or Zhangjiajie airports within 17 days.
This smart system works through a credit card pre-authorization: make a purchase at a designated store, and get your tax rebate on the spot. In some shopping malls, all you need is your passport – the system automatically retrieves your shopping details and calculates your refund, making the process even smoother 💳.
Tourists are loving it! For example, Marck from Turkey enjoys an instant 11% VAT refund on his business trips in Yiwu, while Irina was amazed when her refund landed in her account in just about five minutes. With tax refund applications, refundable sales, and total refund amounts all on the rise in 2024, this new approach is clearly a win-win for savvy shoppers.
As China continues to optimize the refund process, it’s clear that this move is part of a broader effort to enhance the travel experience and boost tourism spending. So next time you're exploring the vibrant markets of the Chinese mainland, enjoy the smooth, tech-driven refund process and shop with confidence!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
