Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Commerce and six other departments have issued a notice to optimize the departure tax refund policy, aiming to stimulate consumption and expand inbound spending by lowering the threshold for tax refunds for foreign travelers [1][3]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The departure tax refund threshold has been reduced from 500 RMB to 200 RMB, allowing more shops, especially those with lower-priced goods, to participate in the tax refund program [3][4]. - The notice encourages the establishment of tax refund shops in high-traffic areas such as shopping districts, tourist attractions, and airports, enhancing accessibility for foreign travelers [3][4]. - The approval process for tax refund shops has been streamlined, allowing businesses with a tax credit rating of M or higher to apply, and reducing the registration time to within five working days [3][4]. Group 2: Economic Impact - Inbound traveler spending is projected to reach 94.2 billion USD in 2024, reflecting a 77.8% increase, indicating significant growth potential in inbound consumption [2]. - The share of inbound traveler spending in China's GDP is expected to be around 0.5% in 2024, compared to 1% to 3% in major countries, highlighting the potential for growth in this sector [4]. - The departure tax refund policy is seen as a crucial tool for reducing shopping costs for foreign travelers, thereby attracting more visitors and boosting consumption [4]. Group 3: Service Enhancements - The cash refund limit has been increased from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB, and various payment methods will be encouraged to meet the diverse needs of foreign travelers [4]. - The focus will be on enriching the product offerings in tax refund shops, including traditional and high-quality local products, to cater to the preferences of inbound travelers [4].

《通知》主要针对退税商店偏少，退税购物选择不多、国货偏少，退税便利度有待进一步提升等问题提 出政策举措。在扩商店方面，《通知》提出，优化退税商店布局，鼓励各地在大型商圈、步行街、旅游 景区、度假区、文博场所、机场、客运港口、酒店等境外旅客聚集地增设退税商店，支持具备条件的地 区打造一批离境退税特色街区，提升退税商店可及性。 在增商品方面，《通知》明确将离境退税起退点从500元下调至200元，在降低退税购物门槛的同时，让 更多客单价较低的特产店、纪念品店、礼品店等加入退税商店，促进国货销售。 证券时报记者贺觉渊 离境退税有助于降低境外旅客购物成本，是吸引和扩大入境消费的重要切入点。商务部等六部门4月27 日发布《关于进一步优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费的通知》（以下简称《通知》），从扩商店、增商 品、优服务三个方面提出八项措施，包括扩大退税商店覆盖面、下调离境退税起退点、上调现金退税限 额等，进一步优化离境退税政策。 过去一年，境外旅客入境消费占我国国内生产总值（GDP）的比重约0.5%，而世界主要国家入境消费 占GDP比重为1%至3%。"入境消费增长潜力巨大。"商务部副部长盛秋平在当天召开的国新办新闻发布 会上 ...

Core Insights - The recent announcement of the "Notice on Further Optimizing the Departure Tax Refund Policy to Expand Inbound Consumption" aims to enhance the quality and level of departure tax refund services for international travelers [1][2] Group 1: Policy Highlights - The policy focuses on three main aspects: expanding the number of tax refund stores, increasing the variety of tax refund products, and improving the overall service experience for travelers [1] - The threshold for departure tax refunds has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, allowing travelers to access refunds on a wider range of purchases [1] - The government plans to optimize the layout of tax refund stores and ease the registration conditions for these stores, providing more shopping options for international visitors [1] Group 2: Implementation and Impact - Since the full implementation of the departure tax refund policy in 2015, the government has been working to enhance the convenience of this service through various measures, including improving the smart tax refund process and optimizing the shopping payment environment [2] - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism emphasizes that the departure tax refund policy will not only attract more inbound tourists but also promote the export of high-quality domestic products, particularly those with cultural significance [2][3] - The Ministry of Commerce will collaborate with relevant departments to ensure effective implementation of the new policy, aiming to create a mutually beneficial environment for inbound tourism and departure tax refund shopping [2][3]

离境退税是指境外旅客离境时，对其在退税商店购买的商品退还增值税的政策，离境退税是国际通行的做法，已有50多个国家和地区实行。 离境退税起退点从500元降至200元，而现金退税额也从1万元人民币上调至2万元人民币。离境退税新政，对于境外游客来说，会产生多大吸引力呢？ 我国自2015年起全面推行离境退税政策，在该政策施行10周年之际，近日，《关于进一步优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费的通知》（后简称《通 知》）公开发布。4月27日，国务院新闻办公室举行新闻发布会，专门介绍优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费有关情况。 政策： 离境退税起退点从500元下调至200元 现金退税限额由1万元上调至2万元 ▲2025年4月18日，南京新百商场多处设置的离境退税"即买即退"服务广告和标识十分醒目 图据视觉中国 红星新闻记者注意到，此次《通知》由商务部、财政部、文化和旅游部、海关总署、税务总局、中国民航局6部门发布。27日的国新办发布会上，商务部副 部长盛秋平介绍了《通知》中的三大亮点。 一是扩商店，让境外旅客有更多好店逛。《通知》提出，优化退税商店布局，鼓励各地在大型商圈、步行街、旅游景区、度假区、文博场所、机场、客运港 口、酒店等境 ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent optimization of the departure tax refund policy aims to stimulate inbound consumption by lowering the threshold for tax refunds and enhancing the shopping experience for foreign travelers [1][10]. Policy Changes - The threshold for departure tax refunds has been reduced from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, allowing more travelers to benefit from the policy [2][6]. - The cash refund limit has been increased from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan, while other refund methods have no limit, making it easier for travelers to claim refunds [8][9]. Market Impact - The policy is expected to enhance the shopping experience for foreign travelers by providing a wider range of shopping options and improving the quality of tax refund services [3][10]. - The reduction in the refund threshold is anticipated to attract more specialty shops and souvenir stores into the tax refund program, thereby promoting domestic product sales [7][10]. Economic Significance - In 2024, inbound traveler spending is projected to account for approximately 0.5% of China's GDP, indicating significant growth potential compared to 1% to 3% in major countries [11]. - The departure tax refund policy is seen as a crucial strategy to lower shopping costs for foreign travelers, thereby attracting more visitors and boosting overall consumption [11].

4月27日，国务院新闻办公室举行新闻发布会介绍优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费有关情况。 商务部副部长盛秋平介绍，离境退税，是指境外旅客离境时，对其在退税商店购买的商品退还增值税的 政策。离境退税是国际通行的做法，目前已有包括欧盟、日本、新加坡、澳大利亚等在内的50多个国家 和地区实行。我国自2015年起全面推行离境退税政策，值此政策全面实施10周年之际，经国务院批准， 商务部会同财政部、文化和旅游部、海关总署、税务总局、中国民航局出台《关于进一步优化离境退税 政策扩大入境消费的通知》（以下简称《通知》）。 商务部：切实解决地方、企业和入境旅客反映的堵点卡点问题 盛秋平表示，《通知》主要针对退税商店偏少，退税购物选择不多、国货偏少，退税便利度有待进一步 提升等问题，从推动退税商店增量扩容、丰富退税商品供给、提升离境退税服务水平等三方面，提出了 8条政策举措。 盛秋平介绍，《通知》的一个重要考虑是坚持目标导向和问题导向，主动对标国际通行规则，切实解决 地方、企业和入境旅客反映的堵点卡点问题，突出针对性和可操作性。政策上主要有三大亮点：一是扩 商店，让境外旅客有更多好店逛；二是增商品，让境外旅客有更多好物买；三是优服 ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent upgrade of the departure tax refund policy aims to enhance the shopping experience for foreign travelers in China, making it easier and more convenient for them to claim refunds on their purchases [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The departure tax refund threshold has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, expanding the policy's coverage to include small-value consumer goods such as cultural products and specialty foods [1][2]. - The cash refund limit has been increased from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan, catering to the preferences of tourists who favor cash payments, thereby encouraging further spending [1][2]. Group 2: Operational Improvements - The State Taxation Administration has revised the "Management Measures for Departure Tax Refunds for Foreign Travelers," optimizing tax services and simplifying the refund process [1][2]. - The implementation of a fully electronic process for departure tax refunds aims to enhance efficiency, reduce waiting times, and improve the overall experience for travelers [2]. Group 3: Market Impact - The adjustments are expected to significantly boost consumer willingness among ordinary tourists, benefiting souvenir shops, specialty stores, and cultural product retailers [2]. - The expansion of eligible refund stores to include newly established businesses with a certain tax credit rating is anticipated to provide travelers with more options and enhance their shopping experience [2].

新华社北京4月27日电 题：多部门详解进一步优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费 新华社记者谢希瑶、王雨萧、申铖 根据通知，将目前境外旅客同日同店购买退税物品金额达到500元才予以退税的规定，大幅下调至 200元即可退税。增加老字号产品、中国消费名品、智能产品、非遗产品等优质产品供应。 商务部等6部门关于进一步优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费的通知27日对外发布。国务院新闻办公 室当天举行新闻发布会介绍有关情况，回应外界关切。 离境退税，是指境外旅客离境时，对其在退税商店购买的商品退还增值税的政策，是国际通行做 法。商务部副部长盛秋平表示，商务部会同财政部等有关部门出台通知，有利于提高境外旅客在华购物 便利性，是推动扩大入境消费、大力提振消费的重要抓手，是推进高水平对外开放、畅通国内国际双循 环的重要途径。 财政部税政司司长贾荣鄂介绍，2015年以来我国全面实施境外旅客离境退税政策，与国际上实行离 境退税政策的国家和地区相比，一是退税力度大，我国对于绝大部分商品按照含税价的11%退税，相当 于将增值税全部予以退还；二是退税商品范围广，除极个别禁止、限制出境的物品外，其他商品均适用 离境退税政策，为境外旅客提供更广阔的商品 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government has introduced new measures to optimize the departure tax refund policy, aiming to enhance inbound consumption and attract more foreign tourists, with significant potential for growth in this sector [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Optimization - The new policy addresses issues such as the limited number of tax refund stores, lack of product variety, and the need for improved convenience in the tax refund process [2][3]. - Eight policy measures have been proposed to expand the number of tax refund stores, increase the variety of products available for tax refund, and enhance the service quality of the tax refund process [2][3]. Group 2: Key Highlights - The policy includes three main highlights: expanding the number of stores, increasing product offerings, and improving service convenience for foreign travelers [3][4]. - The minimum purchase amount for tax refunds has been reduced from 500 RMB to 200 RMB, making it easier for more stores, including those selling local specialties and souvenirs, to participate in the tax refund program [3][4]. Group 3: Service Improvements - The cash refund limit has been raised from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB, allowing travelers to receive larger refunds [4][5]. - The "immediate refund" service has been expanded nationwide, enabling travelers to receive their tax refunds at the point of purchase rather than at the departure point, enhancing the shopping experience [5][6]. Group 4: Impact on Domestic Products - The policy aims to increase the representation of domestic products in tax refund stores, encouraging more local brands to participate and enhancing the shopping options for foreign travelers [6]. - The government plans to promote high-quality domestic products, including cultural and creative items, traditional handicrafts, and popular local goods, to attract foreign tourists [6].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is optimizing the departure tax refund policy to enhance inbound consumption, addressing issues such as the limited number of tax refund stores and the need for a wider variety of products available for tax refund [1][2][3] Group 1: Policy Optimization - The new policy includes lowering the minimum purchase amount for tax refunds from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, increasing the cash refund limit from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan, and improving the overall convenience of the tax refund process [1][4] - The policy aims to expand the number of tax refund stores, particularly in popular tourist areas, and to allow more businesses to qualify as tax refund stores [3][4] Group 2: Enhancing Product Offerings - The policy encourages the inclusion of more domestic brands and a wider range of products in tax refund stores, aiming to attract more travelers to purchase local goods [4][7] - Specific measures include promoting traditional and high-quality products, such as "intelligent, healthy, and fashionable" items, as well as cultural and creative products [4][7] Group 3: Improving Service Quality - The policy emphasizes enhancing the overall service experience for travelers, including the implementation of "immediate refund" services and better packaging for tax refund items [4][6] - There is a focus on training staff and improving communication about the tax refund process to ensure travelers are well-informed [7]