Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing trend of inbound tourism in China, driven by the optimized departure tax refund policy and the growing popularity of "China travel" transforming into "China shopping" [1][2] Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy - The departure tax refund policy allows foreign travelers to reclaim VAT on purchases made in designated stores when leaving China, with a refund rate of 11% [1] - In the first four months, the Beijing Customs verified 8,075 departure tax refund applications, totaling approximately 369 million yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 114.82% and 79.41% respectively [1][2] - The Ministry of Commerce and other departments announced measures to optimize the departure tax refund policy, including lowering the minimum purchase amount for refunds to 200 yuan [2] Group 2: Inbound Tourism Growth - The implementation of a 240-hour visa-free transit policy significantly boosted the number of foreign travelers to China, with 7.07 million travelers recorded in the first four months, a year-on-year increase of 22.3% [2] - The number of flights at Beijing's two major airports reached 40,622, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 23.9% [2] Group 3: Enhanced Traveler Experience - Beijing Customs introduced measures to streamline the departure tax refund verification process, enhancing the convenience for travelers [3] - During the recent "May Day" holiday, the number of departure tax refund applications at the two major airports increased by 105.14%, with the total amount growing by 155.81% year-on-year [3] - Customs officials reported a significant increase in the volume of departure tax refund applications, necessitating the establishment of multiple verification points at the airports [3][4]

Group 1: Tourism Growth and Policy Impact - The number of foreign tourists visiting China has significantly increased, with a peak of 2.086 million border crossings on June 1, 2023, and a 59.4% year-on-year growth in foreign visitors utilizing visa-free policies [1] - The expansion of China's visa-free policy to include 43 countries, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, reflects China's commitment to high-level opening-up and optimizing personnel exchange measures [2] - In the first quarter of this year, over 9 million foreign visitors entered China, marking a year-on-year increase of over 40% [2] Group 2: Enhanced Tourism Services - Beijing plans to optimize its inbound tourism services comprehensively, enhancing product offerings and improving service efficiency, including a one-stop service for temporary entry permits [3] - Recent data indicates a nearly 90% year-on-year increase in inbound travel orders during the Dragon Boat Festival, with popular destinations including Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou [3] Group 3: Industry Strategies and Developments - Companies in the tourism sector, such as China Youth Travel Service, are adapting to the increasing trend of independent travelers by offering customized products and enhancing their online presence [4] - The travel agency Caesar Travel is expanding its online sales channels and plans to provide one-stop services for inbound tourists, focusing on cultural experiences and culinary tours [4] - China Duty Free Group is capitalizing on the expanded visa-free policies and increased passenger flow to enhance its duty-free shopping offerings for inbound travelers [5]

Group 1: Tax Refund Policy Implementation - The new tax refund policy has been implemented in Shanghai for over a month, resulting in the addition of over 60 "immediate refund" stores and 3 centralized refund points [1] - The introduction of a self-service tax refund machine in the Nanjing East Road business district has improved efficiency, processing over 400 applications in just over a month, averaging about 10 applications per day [3] - The policy has led to a significant increase in tax refund sales, with a year-on-year growth of 86% in sales and 77% in tax refunds in Shanghai [5] Group 2: Visa Exemption Agreements - A visa exemption agreement between China and Uzbekistan came into effect on June 1, allowing travelers to stay for up to 30 days without a visa [6] - From June 1, China has also implemented a visa exemption policy for five South American countries, including Brazil and Argentina, marking the first expansion of such policies to Latin America and the Caribbean [8] - The total number of countries with unilateral visa exemption policies for entry into China has now increased to 43 [8] Group 3: Foreign Visitor Statistics - In 2024, it is projected that 3.391 million foreign visitors will enter China under the visa exemption policy, representing a year-on-year increase of 1200.6% [9] - During the recent "May Day" holiday, the total number of foreign visitors entering and exiting China reached 1.115 million, with 380,000 entering under the visa exemption policy, a 72.7% increase year-on-year [9]

Group 1 - The total number of tax refund applications from outbound travelers at Beijing's airports reached 8,075, with a total amount of approximately 369 million yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 114.82% and 79.41% respectively [1] - The number of inbound and outbound travelers monitored by Beijing Customs reached 7.07 million, a year-on-year increase of 22.3%, while the number of flights at the two major airports increased by 23.9% to 40,622 [1] - The implementation of the "Ten Measures" by Beijing Customs has significantly enhanced the attractiveness of inbound tourism and consumption for foreign travelers [1] Group 2 - The tax refund policy has made shopping in Beijing more appealing to foreign tourists, as evidenced by positive feedback from travelers who appreciate the convenience and discounts [2] - The variety of products favored by foreign tourists includes traditional Chinese goods and modern electronics, indicating a growing interest in both cultural and technological offerings [2] - To accommodate the increase in tax refund business, additional verification points have been established at the airports, streamlining the process for travelers [3]

5月27日，《关于进一步优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费的通知》(以下称"离境退税新政")发布满月。 证券时报记者从上海市税务局获悉，离境退税新政实施一个月以来，上海离境退税销售额同比增长 86%，退税额同比增长77%，离境退税规模位居全国首位，释放出良好政策效应。 一个月来，在沪的多家离境退税商店已明显感受到了新政对入境消费的推动作用。"离境退税对境外旅 客消费具有非常明显的'杠杆效应'。"爱马仕相关负责人说，2025年以来，爱马仕在沪门店离境退税销 售额超过1.9亿元，同比增长超过200%。 退税撬动旅游零售新增长 据悉，离境退税新政发布以来，上海退税商店开具销售额500元以下申请单超1500份，占比超过7%，进 一步丰富了境外游客购物选择。 政策红利不仅激活了小额消费市场，更通过放宽退税商店准入门槛，为更多新企业打开发展机遇。 离境退税新政允许新开的纳税信用M级商店在符合其他相关规定的前提下成为退税商店。对此，上海谱 墨品牌管理有限公司负责人戚卫表示："作为一家新办企业，我们的纳税信用等级为M级，本次新政放 宽条件后，税务部门第一时间告知可以申请备案，我们4月30日提交申请，当天就完成了备案手续。" "离境 ...

研究所 宏观研究 5月经济高频数据环比回暖 投资要点 (1)5月经济景气度环比回升,稳增长政策效果仍需释放 从高频数据来看,5月经济景气度环比有所回暖,稳增长政策效 果显现,工业需求环比回升,消费具有季节性回升特点,面对外部高 不确定性,短期市场微观主体情绪趋于谨慎,生产表现为以订单驱动 的特点,生产表现相对平稳,但整体表现为供过于求的态势,有效需 求不足仍是制约经济的核心矛盾,带来要素市场景气度回落,PPI 同 比增速跌幅或进一步扩大,符合我们在报告《4月经济呈现供给驱动 特征,应超前关注科技产业对投资的补充》的基准假设。在此情境下, 基于避险和对政策不确定性的恐慌,在美国对我国加征关税的 90天 豁免期内,美国或加大进口,以避免未来不确定性影响,这或支撑短 期我国出口韧性,亦维持短期生产稳定。但因市场微观主体偏于谨慎, 企业生产或以订单驱动,投资扩产意愿下降:以内需为主的企业或担 忧外贸转内需的潜在影响,其投资扩产亦受一定冲击:市场微观个体 对就业和收入预期或有所下降,居民预算约束趋严,进而对消费形成 收缩压力。在此背景下,国内稳增长政策可对冲部分外部冲击影响, 但 PPI 同比增速跌幅进一步扩大,或指向 ...

日前，商务部等6部门发布优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费的通知。北京首批离境退税"即买即退"集中 退付点启用。境外游客凭北京市任意一家离境退税商店开具的退税申请单，均可在集中退付点办理现场 退税。北京购物的美国游客表示：我们在商场里就能退税，流程很快，也很简单，这样就不用跑到机场 去办理了。北京某商城一品牌旗舰店副店长介绍：5月份销售额比4月份增长了大概20%。超90%的外国 人都会去办理退税。(央视新闻) ...

日前召开的全国优化离境退税政策扩大入境消费工作推进会提出，着力提高退税商店覆盖面，提升退税 商品吸引力，增强境外旅客获得感。专家表示，在过境免签政策施行、离境退税政策升级的背景下，国 货潮品出海迎来机遇，城市商圈将更好地承接入境消费。后续可将中医康养等具有中国特色的产品纳入 离境退税范围，国货用实力"圈粉"，入境消费增长可期。(中国证券报) ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent enhancements in China's departure tax refund policies aimed at boosting inbound tourism consumption and facilitating foreign travelers' shopping experiences [1][5]. Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy Enhancements - The upcoming implementation of the visa-free transit policy in July 2024 and the upgrade of the departure tax refund policy in April 2025 are expected to significantly increase the convenience for foreign travelers [1][5]. - The cash refund limit will be raised from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB, and the minimum purchase amount for refunds will be lowered from 500 RMB to 200 RMB [1][5]. - The introduction of "immediate refund" services will make the refund process more straightforward and appealing to travelers [1][5]. Group 2: Growth in Departure Tax Refund Business - Wangfujing Group's department store reported a 67% increase in departure tax refund business volume in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half [2]. - During the May Day holiday in 2025, the business volume for departure tax refunds surged by 633% year-on-year, with a 147% increase from January to April 2025 [2]. - The number of stores authorized to conduct departure tax refunds has reached 26 across various cities, including Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi'an [2]. Group 3: Consumer Preferences and Trends - Foreign tourists are increasingly interested in both international brands and Chinese domestic products, with items like sunglasses, clothing, and electronic gadgets being popular choices [2][4]. - The demand for Chinese cultural products and innovative technology is rising, as evidenced by the purchases of traditional crafts and modern electronics by foreign visitors [3][4]. Group 4: Market Potential and Future Directions - The share of inbound consumption in China's GDP is currently around 0.5%, compared to 1% to 3% in major countries, indicating significant growth potential [4][5]. - The Chinese departure tax refund market is still in its developmental stage, with a need for more refund stores, especially in popular tourist cities [5]. - Recommendations include increasing the number of departure tax refund stores and enhancing the variety of products eligible for refunds, particularly those that showcase Chinese culture [5].

Core Insights - The implementation of the departure tax refund policy has significantly increased the number of foreign customers in stores, with a reported increase of over 50% compared to last year [1] - The policy allows foreign travelers to receive VAT refunds on purchases made in designated stores, enhancing the attractiveness of shopping in China [1][7] - The overall trend shows a strong growth in inbound tourism and spending, with foreign tourist arrivals expected to reach nearly 27 million in 2024, doubling from 2023, and total spending projected to reach $94.2 billion, a 77.8% increase [6][12] Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy - The departure tax refund policy has undergone three major upgrades, including lowering the minimum purchase amount for refunds from 500 RMB to 200 RMB, and allowing "immediate refund" services at the point of purchase [7][12] - The process for obtaining a tax refund has been streamlined to take only 8-10 minutes, significantly improving the customer experience [9] - The policy is expected to stimulate the service consumption sector in China, enhancing the quality and level of service provided to foreign tourists [6][12] Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Preferences - Foreign tourists are increasingly interested in Chinese products, particularly unique items such as ceramics and handicrafts, which are seen as suitable souvenirs [1][3] - There is a notable increase in the number of foreign customers purchasing items like drones and sports cameras, indicating a diverse range of interests among tourists [2] - The demographic of foreign tourists is becoming younger, with a preference for self-guided travel and a desire for culturally unique products [12] Group 3: Market Response and Adaptation - Retailers are adapting to the influx of foreign customers by providing multilingual support and tailored services to meet cultural preferences [9] - The establishment of centralized tax refund points in major shopping areas enhances convenience for tourists, allowing them to process refunds regardless of where they made their purchases [9] - The overall shopping experience for foreign tourists in China is being positively impacted by the combination of the departure tax refund policy and improved service quality [6][12]