便利旅游购物 扩大入境消费

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant growth in the number of foreign tourists utilizing China's departure tax refund policy, with a 229.8% increase in the number of travelers and a 97.4% increase in refund amounts from January to September 2023, driven by continuous optimization of the tax refund policy and enhanced convenience services [16][19]. Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy - The Chinese departure tax refund policy has been optimized, leading to a more convenient shopping experience for foreign travelers and stimulating inbound consumption [16][19]. - Shanghai has established 26 centralized tax refund points in key shopping districts, allowing travelers to process refunds from multiple stores efficiently [17]. - The introduction of self-service tax refund machines and the reduction of the minimum purchase amount for refunds from 500 RMB to 200 RMB have further enhanced consumer engagement [17]. Group 2: Impact on Consumer Behavior - The "immediate buy and refund" service has significantly increased the attractiveness of shopping in China, with Shanghai's tax refund sales growing by 83.8% year-on-year [19]. - Travelers are expressing high satisfaction with the efficiency of the tax refund process, with refunds being processed almost instantly [20][23]. - The convenience of the tax refund process is encouraging travelers to make additional purchases, as seen in various cities like Guangzhou and Chengdu [20][25]. Group 3: Regional Developments - In Guangzhou, the number of departure tax refund stores has surpassed 1,500, with a notable increase in refund applications during major events like the Canton Fair [21][22]. - Chengdu has seen a 253% increase in tax refund transactions, with efforts to enhance the shopping experience through the establishment of specialized stores featuring local products [25]. - The collaboration between tax authorities and other departments aims to streamline the tax refund process and promote local products, enhancing the overall consumer experience [21][24].