Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement by multiple government departments to optimize the exit tax refund policy aims to enhance inbound tourism and shopping experiences, reflecting a strategic response to both domestic and international circumstances [1][5]. Group 1: Policy Measures - The new policy includes eight measures to facilitate "immediate purchase and refund" services for inbound tourists, which is expected to significantly ease the shopping experience [1][5]. - The "immediate purchase and refund" service will be promoted nationwide, encouraging more tax refund stores and agents to participate, thereby expanding the scope of inbound shopping [5][6]. Group 2: Impact on Inbound Tourism - The shopping experience is crucial for the quality of the tourism industry, and tax refunds play a significant role in influencing tourist spending and satisfaction [4][6]. - The global trend of shopping tax refunds is highlighted, with the traditional method requiring tourists to process refunds at the airport being time-consuming and often inconvenient [4][5]. Group 3: Economic and Cultural Significance - Expanding inbound consumption is economically significant as it allows tourists to shop locally, effectively bypassing tariff barriers and promoting the export of domestic goods [6]. - The initiative also aims to enhance China's international image and cultural influence, providing tourists with opportunities to experience and purchase Chinese products, thereby showcasing the country's prosperity and rich culture [6].

Core Viewpoint - The upgraded "immediate refund" policy for departure tax aims to enhance the shopping experience for international travelers and stimulate consumption in Guilin, thereby increasing its attractiveness as a world-class tourist city [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The departure tax refund threshold has been lowered, with the maximum cash refund limit for travelers doubled, and the refund process simplified [1]. - The coverage area for tax refunds has been expanded, allowing travelers to receive refunds immediately upon purchase, enhancing the perceived benefits of the refund [1][2]. Group 2: Business Impact - The introduction of the "immediate refund" service is expected to boost consumer willingness to make repeat purchases and improve the overall image and competitiveness of shopping centers [2]. - Currently, Guilin has only 8 departure tax refund stores, and efforts are being made to optimize the layout and encourage more local merchants to participate in the program [2]. Group 3: Tourism and Cultural Integration - The increase in foreign visitors to China, with over 9.2 million entering through various ports in the first quarter, highlights the potential for growth in inbound tourism [2]. - Suggestions have been made to integrate local cultural elements into the shopping experience, transforming them into global consumer symbols to enhance the effectiveness of the departure tax policy [2][3].

Core Insights - The 137th Canton Fair coincided with the "May Day" holiday, resulting in a significant influx of international travelers to Guangzhou [1] - The border checkpoint reported approximately 250,000 entries and exits over the five-day holiday, with over 100,000 being foreign travelers [1] - The fair's conclusion did not deter many buyers, who continued to seek suppliers and engage in factory visits and business negotiations [3] Group 1 - The border checkpoint experienced its busiest holiday period in nearly five years, maintaining high operational levels throughout the five days [3] - The "immediate tax refund" policy has made shopping more convenient for foreign tourists, contributing to increased consumer activity in Guangzhou [6] - Many shopping malls in Guangzhou reported a more than doubling of foreign consumer visits during the holiday [8] Group 2 - Foreign consumers expressed satisfaction with the tax refund process, highlighting its efficiency, with refunds processed in as little as five minutes [10] - The number of tax refund stores in Guangzhou has reached 365, with 67 stores offering the "immediate tax refund" service [10] - The presence of foreign consumers was notable across various retail sectors, including dining, toys, apparel, and electronics [8]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is the successful implementation of the "immediate purchase and refund" tax refund service for international travelers in Suzhou, which enhances the shopping experience and boosts consumer spending [1][2][3] - The "immediate purchase and refund" service allows international travelers to receive tax refunds at the point of sale, improving their immediate purchasing power and encouraging spending in key commercial areas [2][3] - Suzhou has organized 37 tax refund stores that cover various specialty categories such as silk, handicrafts, and high-end clothing, aiming to provide a comprehensive shopping experience for foreign tourists [2] Group 2 - The local government, including the Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Taxation Bureau, has collaborated with banks to facilitate the implementation of the tax refund service, breaking regional limitations and enhancing service accessibility [2] - The initiative includes multilingual services and international payment options to cater to foreign tourists, thereby maximizing the potential for inbound tourism consumption [2] - The policy is expected to significantly increase the consumption willingness of foreign tourists, contributing to the growth of foreign-related consumption in key commercial districts [3]

Core Points - The "immediate refund upon purchase" for departure tax refunds is being rapidly promoted nationwide, with 587 stores in Shanghai and 284 already implementing this service [1] - The service allows international travelers to receive tax refunds instantly at the store by providing a credit card pre-authorization, enhancing the shopping experience and stimulating consumption [1][2] - The number of international travelers utilizing departure tax refunds is expected to increase significantly in 2024, with a projected growth of 230% in the number of travelers, 120% in sales, and 130% in tax refunds [2] Group 1 - The "immediate refund upon purchase" service is an upgraded departure tax refund service aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for international travelers [1] - The service has been piloted in several regions including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen, and is now ready for nationwide implementation [1][2] - The promotion of this service reflects the improvement in China's tax management efficiency and aims to create a more convenient consumption environment for international travelers [1][2] Group 2 - The nationwide rollout of "immediate refund upon purchase" indicates an enhancement in the digitalization of tax management, with 96% of tax-related matters now handled online [2] - The collaboration between tax authorities and various departments is crucial for the successful implementation of this service, requiring coordination among stores, customs, tax refund agencies, and tax departments [2][3] - Continuous feedback collection and system upgrades are necessary to optimize the tax refund process and ensure that the benefits of the policy are fully realized [3]

Core Insights - The upcoming May Day holiday is expected to significantly boost travel demand, with various promotional activities and policies in place to attract tourists to Shenzhen [1][2][3] Group 1: Travel Demand and Policies - The implementation of the "immediate refund" tax policy for outbound travelers and the 240-hour visa-free transit policy has led to a substantial increase in foreign visitors to Shenzhen, with over 241,000 entries, marking a 54.4% year-on-year growth [2] - The proportion of visa-free entrants has surged by 159.7%, indicating a strong appeal of these policies [2] - Shenzhen Airport has seen nearly 20,000 inbound and outbound flights this year, reflecting a 29.9% increase compared to the previous year [2] Group 2: Expected Travel Peaks - The Shenzhen Border Inspection Station predicts a peak of approximately 105,000 travelers during the May Day holiday, with nearly 900 flights expected, representing a growth of over 40% [2] - Specific peak travel times have been identified, with outbound peaks on May 1 and 2, and inbound peaks on May 5 [2][4] Group 3: Regional Events and Promotions - The overlap of the May Day holiday with the 137th Canton Fair and various promotional events in Hong Kong is anticipated to drive short-distance travel from mainland residents to Hong Kong and other destinations [3] - The expansion of China's visa-free travel options and the popularity of social media influencers are expected to further enhance inbound tourism and spending by foreign travelers [3]

随着我国过境免签政策全面放宽，境外旅客停留时间延长至240小时，境外旅客入境游、入境购的热情 持续高涨。今年4月，税务总局决定全面推广境外旅客购物离境退税"即买即退"服务措施，进一步提升 了境外旅客购物离境退税便利水平，优化境外旅客消费体验。 成都高新区相关负责人表示，目前正围绕成都建设国际消费中心城市要求，积极开展离境退税"即买即 退"专项行动，通过增点位、拓品类、优流程、扩宣传等一系列举措，推动符合条件的商圈、街区实现 离境退税"即买即退"，持续提升国际化消费热度。下一步，成都高新区将借助离境退税"即买即退"政 策，进一步优化软硬件配套，从区域消费中心迈向国际购物目的地，让更多消费者在成都高新区享受到 便捷、优质的消费体验。 （文章来源：每日经济新闻） 据悉，成都高新区积极响应政策，在已实现离境退税的基础上，实现"即买即退"的升级服务。据介绍， 这一模式最大的亮点在于提前了退税环节，将原本设在机场的退税窗口"前移"至商场，旅客购物环节就 能拿到退税款，可直接用于二次消费，有效提升了消费体验，充分满足境外游客的消费需要。 4月27日，成都高新区发布消息称，离境退税"即买即退"服务已在成都SKP正式运行，推行 ...

Core Points - The State Taxation Administration has announced the nationwide implementation of the "immediate refund upon purchase" service for outbound tax refunds, enhancing the existing outbound tax refund policy [1][6] - This service allows foreign travelers to receive cash refunds equivalent to the tax amount at the point of purchase in designated stores, facilitating immediate consumption [1][5] Implementation Details - The "immediate refund upon purchase" service has been piloted in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen, with Hangzhou being the latest city to join the initiative starting September 15, 2023 [3][5] - In Hangzhou, 14 stores, including Hangzhou Tower and Yintai Department Store, are the first batch of trial merchants for this service [3][9] Refund Process - Foreign travelers can process the "immediate refund upon purchase" service by shopping for at least 500 RMB, with a maximum limit of 50,000 RMB, and must leave the country within 25 days [5] - Travelers need to provide their credit card for a pre-authorization guarantee to receive cash refunds on-site [5] Tax Refund Rates - The tax refund rates vary between 8% to 11% depending on the applicable tax rate of the purchased goods, with specific examples provided for different product categories [5] - For instance, a foreign traveler purchasing a silk scarf priced at 2,000 RMB could receive a cash refund of 180 RMB after fees, based on an 11% refund rate [5] Merchant Participation - Stores interested in offering the "immediate refund upon purchase" service can become designated merchants after discussions with local tax refund agencies [6]

Core Viewpoint - The State Taxation Administration of China has announced the nationwide promotion of the "immediate refund" service for outbound travelers, enhancing the shopping experience for foreign tourists and potentially boosting the inbound tourism market [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Overview - The "immediate refund" policy allows foreign travelers to receive a refund in RMB at the point of purchase after signing an agreement and pre-authorizing a credit card, creating a "shopping-refund-reconsume" cycle [1]. - This policy is expected to significantly increase the attractiveness of shopping in China for foreign tourists, especially in conjunction with the "240-hour" visa-free policy and recent RMB exchange rate trends [1]. Group 2: Market Impact - Previous trials of the "immediate refund" policy in cities like Shanghai and Beijing have already shown substantial growth in inbound consumption, with the number of travelers, sales of refund-eligible goods, and total refunds increasing by 2.3 times, 1.2 times, and 1.3 times respectively in 2024 [2]. - Analysts predict that if the penetration rate of outbound tax refund travelers reaches 15%, it could result in approximately 21.8 million travelers annually, leading to a potential sales volume of 109 billion RMB in future years [3]. Group 3: Stock Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the "immediate refund" policy, stocks in the duty-free sector have surged, with companies like Zhongbai Group experiencing multiple trading halts due to price increases, and China Duty Free's stock rising over 24% in three trading days [3].