Core Insights - The number of duty-free shops in Sichuan Province reached 454 by June this year, with over 100 shops offering "buy and refund" services [1] - The new tax refund policy, effective from April 27, aims to enhance the shopping experience for international tourists, leading to increased consumer activity [1] - Chengdu's SKP mall has seen a significant increase in duty-free transactions, processing 1,190 refunds in the first half of the year, a 224% year-on-year growth [1] Group 1 - The Chengdu tax authority has implemented a plan to upgrade and expand the duty-free refund services in line with the city's goal of becoming an international consumption center [2] - The threshold for applying for a tax refund has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, making it easier for international tourists to claim refunds [1] - The Chengdu tax department is leveraging the upcoming 12th World Games to promote the expansion and improvement of the duty-free refund services [2] Group 2 - Businesses interested in becoming duty-free shops can apply for registration through a specific form, with the tax authority completing the verification within five working days [2] - The "buy and refund" service is being expanded from pilot programs to a nationwide initiative, with multiple refund points established in key locations [2] - The new refund model aims to enhance the shopping experience for travelers and encourage secondary consumption of the refunded amounts [2]

Group 1 - Ningxia Yinchuan Wangfujing Outlets has officially registered as a tax refund store for outbound tourists, increasing the total number of such stores in Ningxia to seven [1] - Other companies that have also obtained the tax refund store qualification include Bai Rui Yuan Goji Berry Co., Yinchuan Xinhua Department Store Group, and Metro Group Yinchuan Xingqing Mall [1] - The implementation of the outbound tourist tax refund policy in Ningxia has made significant progress, with Bai Rui Yuan completing the first "buy and refund" transaction on June 28, 2023, indicating further optimization of the tax refund policy [1] Group 2 - Ningxia aims to continuously optimize the outbound tax refund policy, focusing on cultivating new tax refund stores in tourist attractions and urban business districts [2] - The strategy includes prioritizing high-quality merchants from specialty industries like goji berries to be included in the tax refund system, creating a "Ningxia characteristic" consumption brand [2] - There will be a comprehensive promotion of the "buy and refund" model, along with enhanced training for company personnel to improve service standardization and convenience [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the implementation of the "immediate refund" tax policy for outbound tourists in Ningxia has been successfully initiated, enhancing the region's attractiveness for international visitors [1] - On June 28, Bai Rui Yuan Goji Co., Ltd. completed the first "immediate refund" transaction, marking the full rollout of this service in Ningxia [1] - As of July 4, Yinchuan Wangfujing Outlets was approved as the seventh tax refund store in Ningxia, indicating a new phase of expansion and quality improvement for tax refund stores in the region [1] Group 2 - Since the issuance of the notice by the Ministry of Commerce and five other departments, Ningxia has established a multi-departmental coordination mechanism to enhance tax refund service efficiency [1] - The region is focusing on promoting local specialty products such as goji berries, wine, and eight-treasure tea in tax refund stores to enrich shopping options for international travelers [1] - Data shows that in 2024, Ningxia issued a total of 227 tax refund application forms, achieving sales of 246,100 yuan and processing refunds of 13,000 yuan [1] - In the first half of 2025, following the implementation of the new policy, 161 application forms were issued, doubling year-on-year, with sales of 119,600 yuan, a 55% increase, and refunds of 8,100 yuan [1] Group 3 - Ningxia plans to continue optimizing the tax refund policy, focusing on cultivating new tax refund stores in tourist attractions and urban commercial areas [2] - The region aims to prioritize quality merchants from specialty industries like goji berries for inclusion in the tax refund system, creating a "Ningxia characteristic" consumption brand [2] - There will be a comprehensive promotion of the "immediate refund" model, with enhanced training for company personnel to improve service standardization and convenience [2] - Efforts will be made to strengthen publicity and create multilingual policy guides for precise dissemination in airports, stores, and hotels, as well as integrating tax refund policies into travel itineraries [2]

Core Insights - The Shanghai Taxation Bureau reported that by the first half of 2025, over 63,000 travelers from 167 countries (regions) have received tax refunds, with nearly 90,000 application forms issued, and the "buy and refund" sales increased 28 times compared to the same period in 2024 [1][3] Group 1: Policy Impact - The departure tax refund policy has evolved from a pilot program initiated in July 2015 to a comprehensive city-wide initiative, significantly contributing to Shanghai's high-level opening-up and promoting the "dual circulation" development strategy [1] - The number of tax refund stores has grown from 27 to over 1,400, creating a dense network of tax refund services that includes traditional Chinese brands, local specialties, and international high-end brands [3][4] Group 2: Business Growth - The tax refund policy has attracted international customers, providing tangible benefits to traditional department stores facing online competition, thereby enhancing their market presence [3] - The "buy and refund" model has been particularly successful in locations like Qingpu Outlet, with a reported 126.7% increase in tax refunds and a 72% increase in consumption amounting to 18.66 million yuan [4] Group 3: Future Developments - The Shanghai Taxation Bureau aims to continue expanding the effects of the departure tax refund policy, positioning itself as a leader and model for replication across the country [4]

Core Viewpoint - The new policy on departure tax refunds aims to enhance inbound consumption by reducing shopping costs for foreign travelers, thereby stimulating economic growth in China [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Measures - The Ministry of Commerce and five other departments issued a notification to optimize departure tax refund policies, proposing eight measures to expand the coverage of refund stores, lower the minimum refund threshold, and increase cash refund limits [1]. - The minimum refund threshold has been reduced from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, allowing more stores with lower-priced goods to participate in the tax refund program, thus promoting domestic product sales [2]. Group 2: Service Improvements - The cash refund limit has been increased from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan, encouraging various payment methods for tax refunds, including mobile payments and bank cards [2]. - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will collaborate with the Ministry of Commerce to enhance the supply of goods and services related to departure tax refunds, focusing on cultural and creative products, handicrafts, and domestic trendy items [2]. Group 3: Future Developments - The Ministry of Commerce plans to continue developing international consumption center cities and improve foreign payment services to enhance the effectiveness of departure tax refund policies [2]. - Efforts will be made to create international consumption clusters and friendly shopping districts for inbound travelers, including improving multilingual signage and navigation facilities in public areas [2].

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent enhancements in China's departure tax refund policy aimed at boosting inbound consumption and facilitating foreign tourists' shopping experiences [1][6]. Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy Enhancements - The departure tax refund limit will increase from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB, and the minimum purchase amount for refunds will decrease from 500 RMB to 200 RMB starting in April 2025 [1][6]. - The "immediate refund" service will be gradually promoted, making the refund process more straightforward and appealing to tourists [1][6]. Group 2: Impact on Retail and Consumption - Wangfujing Group reported a 67% increase in departure tax refund business volume in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half, with a staggering 633% year-on-year growth during the May Day holiday in 2025 [2]. - The optimization of departure tax refund policies is expected to unleash the potential of inbound tourism consumption, promoting "secondary consumption" and "related consumption" [2]. Group 3: Growth in Domestic Products and International Appeal - Domestic products, including traditional crafts and electronics, are gaining popularity among foreign tourists, with many expressing interest in unique Chinese goods [3][4]. - The structure of products eligible for departure tax refunds is continuously improving, with a focus on including more categories such as traditional Chinese medicine and robotics [4]. Group 4: Market Potential and Future Directions - The share of inbound consumption in China's GDP is approximately 0.5%, significantly lower than the 1% to 3% seen in major global economies, indicating substantial growth potential [5][6]. - The government aims to increase the number of departure tax refund stores and enhance service levels to better meet the needs of foreign tourists [6].

Core Points - The implementation of the tax refund policy for overseas travelers in Dalian is officially launched, enhancing the shopping experience and promoting tourism consumption [1][2] - The "immediate buy and refund" service is introduced, streamlining the refund process for travelers [1] - The minimum spending requirement for tax refunds has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, with a tax refund rate of 11% on general goods [2] Group 1 - Dalian Henglong Plaza and four other shopping centers have received the first operational licenses for the tax refund policy, which is expected to stimulate the "consumption-refund-reconsumption" cycle [1] - The new refund process allows travelers to receive a pre-refund at the store after purchasing eligible items, making the experience more convenient [1] - The tax authority has relaxed the conditions for stores to register as tax refund shops, allowing new businesses to apply under a new credit rating category [2] Group 2 - Dalian Henglong Plaza is preparing multilingual promotional materials and training staff to ensure a smooth experience for overseas travelers [2] - The tax refund policy aims to enhance Dalian's position as an international consumption center in Northeast Asia [1]

Core Points - From July 1, 2025, Hubei Province will officially implement a tax refund policy for outbound travelers, allowing them to apply for VAT refunds on purchases made at designated stores [1] - The initial rollout includes 57 tax refund stores across eight cities, including Wuhan, Yichang, and Enshi [1] - A British traveler became the first to apply for a tax refund in Hubei after purchasing nearly 2000 yuan worth of products, with an expected refund of approximately 177 yuan [1] - The new tax refund policy is expected to enhance the shopping experience for international travelers, increasing their willingness to spend in China [1]

Core Points - The implementation of the tax refund policy for international travelers in Hubei and Dalian, starting July 1, aims to enhance the shopping experience for foreign tourists and stimulate inbound consumption [1][12] - The policy allows travelers to receive VAT refunds on purchases made in designated stores, with a lowered minimum purchase threshold from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, making it easier for small purchases to qualify for refunds [2][5] - Dalian offers an "immediate refund" service, allowing travelers to receive their tax refunds on the spot after completing the necessary documentation [10][12] Summary by Sections Hubei Province - Hubei has included 57 tax refund stores across 8 cities, including Wuhan, Yichang, and Enshi, under the new policy [1] - A British tourist experienced the process, purchasing electronic products and receiving a refund of approximately 177 yuan [2] - The policy is expected to attract more international customers to Chinese products [7] Dalian City - Dalian has initiated the tax refund policy with a focus on immediate refunds for international travelers, enhancing the shopping experience [12] - The city has five comprehensive shopping malls and over 40 brand merchants participating in the initial rollout of the policy [16] - A Russian tourist expressed excitement about the new policy, planning to purchase tea to take back home [13] Tax Refund Process - Travelers must hold a credit card capable of pre-authorization and must leave the country within 25 days of making a purchase to qualify for the immediate refund [18] - The refund process involves obtaining a shopping invoice, signing a tax refund application, and submitting necessary documents via a QR code [16][18] - The local tax authority aims to optimize the layout of tax refund stores to improve the consumer experience and expand the inbound consumption market [20]

湖北此前也公布了全省第一批、57家境外旅客购物离境退税商店名单，这些商店涵盖高端时尚、生 活超市等多个业态，能够满足不同境外旅客的购物需求。 今年以来，为更好满足境外旅客购物离境退税需求，国家有关部门持续发力，不断出台相关政策。 其中，将离境退税起退点从500元下调至200元，使得更多小额消费的境外旅客也能享受到退税福利。在 各项政策利好的带动下，多地离境退税业务保持高增长势头。中央财经大学财税学院教授白彦锋表示， 下一步，还要不断提高离境退税服务质量和水平，让境外旅客退税更便利、购物更满意。 白彦锋：可以推动退税商店增量扩容，丰富退税商品的供给，提高退税的便捷度，政策的效果将会 进一步显现。 央广网北京7月2日消息（记者李思默）据中央广播电视总台中国之声《新闻和报纸摘要》报道，从 本月起，离境退税政策实施新增大连市和湖北省。随着政策实施向更多地区延伸，为进一步扩大入境消 费提供有力支撑。 我国自2015年起全面推行离境退税政策，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。目前，在大连有5家综合商场为离境退税首批运营单位，已初步认证41个品牌商户， 完成了税务、海关、退税代理机构的系 ...