扩商店、增商品、优服务，中国离境退税政策持续优化——便利旅游购物 扩大入境消费

Core Insights - The number of foreign travelers applying for tax refunds in China has increased by 229.8% year-on-year from January to September, with the total refund amount rising by 97.4% [1] - China's continuous optimization of the departure tax refund policy and enhanced convenience measures have effectively stimulated inbound consumption and strengthened the attractiveness of the Chinese consumer market [1] Group 1: Tax Refund Policy Enhancements - The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and other departments have issued a notice to further optimize the departure tax refund policy, enhancing the shopping experience for foreign travelers [5] - Shanghai has opened 26 centralized tax refund points in key shopping districts, allowing travelers to process refunds from multiple stores efficiently [5][6] - The minimum purchase amount for tax refunds has been lowered from 500 RMB to 200 RMB, and the cash refund limit has been increased from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB, boosting consumer spending [6] Group 2: Technological Integration and Efficiency - Shanghai has introduced self-service tax refund machines that can generate tax refund applications instantly, improving the efficiency of the refund process [6] - The "instant buy and refund" service has been expanded, allowing travelers to receive refunds directly to their Alipay accounts through a simple scan [7] - The use of third-party payment platforms for instant refunds is gradually being implemented across Shanghai's stores, enhancing the convenience for foreign travelers [7] Group 3: Regional Developments - Guangzhou has seen a 1.5-fold increase in tax refund amounts processed by customs in the first nine months of the year, with a significant rise in applications during the Canton Fair [11] - Chengdu has established over 600 tax refund stores, with more than 170 offering the "instant buy and refund" service, significantly enhancing the shopping experience for foreign tourists [12][13] - The city has implemented a comprehensive payment system that supports international card payments and QR code-based refund processes, making it easier for travelers to shop and claim refunds [15]