离境退税政策成效明显，有力拉动入境消费 上半年“中国购”销售额增长近一倍（财经眼）

Core Insights - The popularity of "China travel" and "China shopping" continues to rise, with a notable increase in the number of overseas travelers shopping in China and benefiting from tax refund policies [1][2] Group 1: Tax Refund Policy and Its Impact - The number of tax refund stores in China has significantly increased, surpassing 7,200, with a 186% year-on-year growth in the number of people enjoying tax refunds [1] - Tax refund sales and amounts have also seen substantial growth, with sales up by 94.6% and refund amounts up by 93.2% year-on-year [1] - The introduction of the "immediate refund" policy in Dalian has shown promising results, with expectations of over 10% sales growth for local businesses [3] Group 2: Expansion of Tax Refund Stores - Major brands like Huawei and DJI are preparing to apply for tax refund store registration, indicating a growing interest in the tax refund policy among high-profile retailers [4] - In Beijing, 40% of the 1,500 tax refund stores are domestic brands, showcasing a strong local flavor in the tax refund shopping experience [4] - Shanghai has established a network of over 1,400 tax refund stores, processing refunds for over 80,000 travelers from 174 countries this year [5] Group 3: Innovations in Tax Refund Processes - The "code refund" service allows travelers to complete tax refund applications online, significantly improving efficiency by over 40% [7] - Self-service machines for tax refund applications have been introduced in Shanghai, easing the pressure during peak shopping times [8] - New centralized refund points have been established in major shopping areas, allowing travelers to process refunds for multiple purchases in one location [9][10] Group 4: Enhanced Travel Flexibility - The introduction of mutual recognition of departure ports for tax refunds allows travelers more flexibility in their travel plans, enhancing the overall shopping experience [11] - New initiatives in provinces like Sichuan aim to broaden the range of departure ports for tax refunds, further facilitating smoother travel arrangements for overseas visitors [12]