CCTV News: As China Travel, also known as "China Travel", becomes popular around the world, departing tax refund consumption for overseas tourists is becoming increasingly popular. Last week, the State Administration of Taxation announced the promotion of "buy and refund" service for departure tax refund nationwide. After overseas tourists shop, they can directly receive tax refunds at the place of consumption. How do foreign tourists feel about this?
In Nanjing, Jiangsu, Airina from Russia is buying gifts for her family. The staff introduced her to the "buy and refund" service that had just been implemented. After checking out, she came to the tax refund window in the mall. In less than 5 minutes, the tax was refunded to her account.
Tourist Airina said that she was buying gifts for her son and was surprised that she could receive tax refunds in her account. The tax refund speed is fast and the shopping experience is also very good.
In Chongqing, Korean tourist Li Kuihe purchased more than 10,000 yuan of goods and paid at the mall counter, and simultaneously completed the tax refund.
Korean tourist Li Kuihe said that the tax refund is about 10%, which is about 1,000 yuan. The process is very simple and it doesn't take much time. Next time he has the chance, he also wants to take his family to Chongqing for a trip.
Previously, some cities across the country have piloted "buy now and refund" and sales of related commodities have also increased significantly. Since Chongqing piloted the "buy now and refund" in January 2024, the sales of offshore tax refund products have increased significantly by 595% year-on-year.
In Guangzhou, in the first quarter of 2025, sales of offshore passengers' shopping tax refund products increased by 1.3% year-on-year. The upcoming 137th Canton Fair is expected to drive further growth in departing tax refund consumption.
In addition, localities are also expanding the coverage of tax refund stores and "buy-and-refund" services. At present, among the 587 departure tax refund stores in Shanghai, 284 stores have achieved "buy and refund". Shanghai has also set up 7 "buy now and return" centralized refund points to cover popular business districts such as Nanjing West Road and Lujiazui. The first centralized refund point in Chengdu, Sichuan has been launched at Guojin Shopping Center in Chunxi Road Business District, and 49 tax refund stores have been included in the "buy now and refund" pilot.
