禅城首单离境退税“即买即退”业务落地！国际旅客畅享“购物自由”

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the "immediate refund" service for departure tax in Foshan enhances the shopping experience for international travelers, making it easier and more convenient for them to claim VAT refunds on their purchases [3][5][7]. Group 1: Departure Tax Policy - Departure tax allows international travelers to claim VAT refunds on goods purchased in designated stores when leaving the country [3]. - The "immediate refund" service is an upgrade to the departure tax policy, enabling travelers to receive a prepaid amount equivalent to the tax refund at the point of purchase after signing an agreement and authorizing a credit card [3][5]. - The minimum purchase amount for tax refunds has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, making it more accessible for travelers [3]. Group 2: Impact on International Tourism - The number of international visitors to China has been increasing due to visa-free policies, leading to a surge in consumption by foreign travelers [3]. - Foshan Wangfujing Zhiwei Port has become a key consumption landmark for international travelers, featuring over 20 flagship stores of international beauty brands [5]. - The shopping center has implemented a multilingual guidance system and a foreign-friendly service team, leveraging 5G technology to optimize payment processes for a seamless shopping experience [5]. Group 3: Future Developments - The Foshan Wangfujing Zhiwei Port plans to promote the "immediate refund" service further and attract more international flagship stores and experiential retail formats to enhance its appeal [5][7]. - The local tax authority and Agricultural Bank of China Foshan branch are committed to improving the efficiency of the departure tax refund process and expanding the coverage of refund stores [7]. - The development of the "immediate refund" service aligns with the broader goal of establishing Foshan as a "urban consumption center" within the context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [7].