Tax Refund

At present, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Jiangsu ProvinceHebei Province, Shaanxi Province, Yunnan Province, Anhui Province, Sichuan Province, Liaoning Province, Fujian Province, Hainan Province as well as Harbin, Heihe, Suifenhe in Heilongjiang Province and Nanning, Guilin, Fangchenggang in Guangxi have adopted a tax refund policy among overseas, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan tourists. Visitors who have bought products at tax free stores in China can withdraw value added tax (VAT) before leaving. It's expected that in the near future the policy will come into effect in more and more China regions.
Tax Rebate Process
Tax Refund Process

 
 

Conditions for Using the Policy

 1. Overseas/Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan visitors should stay in Mainland China for no more than 183 days consecutively to qualify for the tax rebate policy.
 2. The purchased goods should be for personal use and not prohibited to be taken out of Mainland China.
  See detailed Exit Regulations of China.
 3. A minimum of CNY 500 shall be spent in one designated tax free store during any one day by one tourist.
 4. The visitor shall exit from designated ports and ensure that the goods are brand new and unused. At present, the designated ports mainly include airports and cruise ports, like Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Tianjin Binhai International Airport.
 5. The time span between the purchase date and the departure date shall be less than 90 days.
 6. The purchased goods must leave China along with the visitor.
 Currently, there are over 200 designated tax free stores in Beijing, about 180 in Shanghai, 33 in Chengdu of Sichuan, 69 in Shenzhen, 34 in Tianjin, 33 in Qingdao, 10 in Xiamen of Fujian, 9 in Qinhuangdao of Hebei, 2 in Haikou and 3 in Sanya... They cover the major shopping malls, tourist shopping centers, and residence areas of foreigners. Here is a list of some:

 In Beijing: Gongmei Group, Wangfujing Department Store, Dong'an Department Store, and Wuyutai Tea Shop on Wangfujing Street; Huayuan Shopping Center, Pacific Department Store, and Hanguang Shopping Mall on Xidan Commercial Street
 In Shanghai: Shanghai New World Co., Ltd, Maochang Optical, and Heng Da Li Watch Flagship Store on Nanjing Road; Huabao Pavilion and Tianyu Pavilion around Yuyuan Garden
 In Xi'an: Kaiyuan Shopping Center, Parkson Shopping Center, Century Ginwa Shopping Plaza near the Bell Tower...
 In Tianjin: Yangliuqing Painting Store, Binjiang Shopping Center, Guorenzhang Nuts Store...
 In Chengdu of Sichuan: Renhe Spring Department Store, International Finance Square...
 In Haikou: S&S Department Store, Minsheng Department Store
 In Sanya: Yifang Shopping Center, Sanya International Shopping Center, Summer Mall

Dongan Department Store
Dongan Department Store in Beijing
Tianyu Pavilion in Shanghai
Tianyu Pavilion in Shanghai
 
 

Tax Refund Rate

The refund rate is 11% of the invoice value. However, 2% of the rebates are charged by the rebate agency as service fee. Therefore, visitors actually enjoy a rebate rate of 9%.

Refunds = Invoice Value (VAT included) x Rebate Rate (11% - 2%)
For instance, if one spends CNY 1000 in a store, CNY 90 (CNY 1000 x 9%) will be returned.

The rebates will be given in CNY. If the amount is not beyond CNY 10,000, both cash and bank transfer rebates are allowed. Otherwise, if the amount exceeds CNY 10,000, only bank transfer is allowed.
 
 

How to Apply for Rebates

 1. Purchase goods in designated stores with the "Tax Free" sign. Ask for the sales invoice and tax refund form from the clerk.
 2. Visit the customs office at the departure port and present the refund form, invoice, passport or ID card as well as the purchased products. If nothing goes wrong, the officer will stamp on the refund form.
 3. After, go through the joint inspection, head to the refund counter, have the materials examined and have the rebates back.

 Note: Under the condition that all necessary materials are prepared, it takes three to five minutes at the customs office and refund desk respectively. On average, it takes a visitor about 15 minutes to go through all the formalities. However, it's strongly recommended to spare additional 40 minutes to an hour for the whole process.

 Location for Custom Verification and Refund at Main Exit Ports
Designated Exit Ports Check Points of Customs Location of Refund Counter
Beijing Capital International Airport 2F, International Departure Zone, T2
Zone C, 2F, T3 (check-in items);
Zone E, 2F, T3 (carry-on items)
T-mouth, 2F, International Departure Zone, T2;
Zone E, 2F, T3
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Gate 10, International Departure Hall, T1;
Gate 25, International Departure Hall, T2
Separate Zone for international departures
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Gate 6, International Departure Hall, T1 Separate Zone for international departures
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport Customs Surveillance Zone, Departure Hall, Terminal T3 Floor 3 See the signpost inside the Isolated Area of Terminal T3
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Left of International Entry/Exit Passage, International Departure Zone, T1 Boarding Gate 102, International Departure Zone, T1
Qingdao Liuting International Airport Near the entrance of the Separate Zone for international departures (check-in items);
Boarding Gate 8, Separate Zone for international departures (carry-on items)
Boarding Gate 8, Separate Zone for international departures
Tianjin Binhai International Airport International Departure Hall, T1 Separate Zone for international departures
- Last updated on Nov. 21, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Tax Refund
Asked by Yuri from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 05, 2024 13:20Reply
Credit card refund
Hi
How long does it take to receive refund via credit card?
Answers (1)
Answered by Hailey | Mar. 05, 2024 21:42
00Reply


It is about 15 days in Shanghai Pudong Airport.
Asked by Anders from DENMARK | Feb. 23, 2024 01:40Reply
Opening hours
What is the opening hours of the tax/duty office at the PVG airport?
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Feb. 25, 2024 19:44
00Reply


It opens for 24 hours.
Asked by Daniel from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 26, 2023 06:31Reply
Tax refund for Huawei phone purchased
Can you get a tax refund on a purchase of a Huawei mobile phone?
Answers (1)
Answered by Molly | Dec. 26, 2023 18:27
00Reply


If you bought it at the tax-free stores, then you can get tax refund.
Asked by Eddie from SINGAPORE | Nov. 19, 2023 05:08Reply
Tourists leave Macau, any tax rebates at Macau airport please?
Mainly personal consumables such as winter clothes and food.. thank
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Nov. 21, 2023 00:01
00Reply


It is better for you to confirm with the airport staff because someone said there is no tax rebates at Macau Airport.
Asked by Nicole from AUSTRALIA | Oct. 17, 2023 03:43Reply
Transit
Hi I’m departing from Shanghai Hongqiao to Xiamen for transit, then flying back to Australia. Can I claim the tax in Shanghai?
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Oct. 17, 2023 19:15
00Reply


I'm not sure, and it is better to confirm with Shanghai customs.
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