境外旅客在湖北"买买买"更省心了。 5家商场新设集中退付点 离境退税"即买即退"服务指的是境外旅客在指定商店购物时，只需提供信用卡预授权担保，即可当场领 取退税款，无需再等到离境口岸办理。这种"即买即退、资金秒达"的便捷服务大大提升了境外旅客的购 物体验。 在武商梦时代一楼A区服务台，"即买即退集中退付点"的标识已醒目摆放，境外旅客扫码即可启动退税 申请流程。这一设置解决了此前境外旅客在不同商店购物需分别办理退税的痛点。 五分钟到账、一站式办理，境外旅客在湖北的购物体验正迎来新一轮升级。日前，武汉市税务局推出境 外旅客购物离境退税"即买即退"集中退付点服务，让"多次购物、一次退税"成为现实。武商MALL、武 商梦时代等5家高端商场率先上线此服务，境外旅客最快5分钟就能收到退税款。 "之前旅客在不同商店购物，可能要分别办理退税，现在在集中退付点，能一次性处理全武汉退税商店 的申请单，效率高多了。"武商梦时代财务部主管介绍。 这一举措是湖北省自7月实施离境退税政策以来的又一次服务升级。5月，湖北公布了首批57家离境退税 商店名单。7月初，又新增45家"即买即退"商店。 自湖北开启离境退税以来，武商梦时代开具的离境 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant increase in the number of outbound tax refund applications and the corresponding refund amounts for foreign travelers in China, driven by both an increase in foreign visitor numbers and simplified tax refund processes [3][4]. Group 1: Tax Refund Growth - From January to September this year, the number of outbound tax refund applications from foreign travelers increased by 229.8%, while the refund amount rose by 97.4% [3]. - The total number of inbound and outbound travelers in China reached 510 million in the first three quarters, marking a 14.3% increase compared to the same period last year, nearing historical peaks [3]. Group 2: Policy Enhancements - China has implemented a tax refund policy for foreign travelers, allowing them to receive VAT refunds on purchases made at designated stores upon departure, with the current VAT rate set at 13% [3]. - The "immediate refund" pilot program has been expanded nationwide, allowing travelers to receive refunds at the point of purchase by signing agreements and processing credit card pre-authorizations [4]. Group 3: Service Improvements - The tax authority has optimized system functionalities, resulting in a 45% increase in tax refund processing efficiency [4]. - New features such as "one-click tax refund" through Alipay and mobile applications have been introduced in cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou, enhancing the efficiency of refund transactions [4].

Core Insights - The number of outbound tax refund applications and the amount refunded have significantly increased, attributed to both the rise in foreign travelers and the simplification of the refund process [1][2] - The Chinese government has implemented a nationwide promotion of the "immediate refund upon purchase" service to enhance the experience for foreign travelers [2] Group 1: Tax Refund Growth - From January to September, the number of outbound tax refund applicants increased by 229.8% year-on-year, while the refund amount rose by 97.4% [1] - In the first three quarters, the total number of inbound and outbound travelers reached 510 million, a 14.3% increase compared to the same period last year [1] - In the third quarter alone, the number of foreign travelers at various ports reached 20.134 million, marking a 22.3% year-on-year increase [1] Group 2: Policy Enhancements - In April, the State Administration of Taxation expanded the "immediate refund upon purchase" service from pilot regions to nationwide [2] - A joint notice from six departments, including the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, aims to optimize the outbound tax refund policy and enhance the consumption environment for foreign travelers [2] - The tax authority has improved system functionalities, increasing the efficiency of tax refund issuance by over 45% [2]

Core Insights - China is committed to expanding high-level opening-up, aiming to leverage its vast market to create new opportunities for other countries and inject more certainty into global economic growth [1] Group 1: Tax Refund Policy Impact - The implementation of the departure tax refund policy has significantly enhanced the shopping and travel experience for international tourists, with the number of tax refund stores exceeding 10,000 by the end of August this year [2][3] - The "immediate refund" feature allows tourists to receive tax refunds at the point of purchase, promoting further consumption and improving the overall shopping experience [5][7] Group 2: Regional Highlights - In cities like Qingdao, Chengdu, and Shenzhen, various local products and high-tech items are popular among international tourists, with specific stores offering a wide range of goods eligible for tax refunds [2][4] - The cross-province recognition of the departure tax refund service allows tourists to shop in one province and depart from another, enhancing travel flexibility and encouraging more cross-province tourism [6][7] Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Growth - The tax refund policy has led to a significant increase in consumer spending, with some stores reporting a 707% year-on-year increase in transactions and a 435% increase in the amount spent by international tourists [7]

Core Insights - Chengdu has emerged as a popular travel destination, with significant increases in both domestic and international visitors during the holiday season [1][2] - The "Double Festival" period is marked by various cultural and entertainment activities, enhancing the overall tourist experience [2][3] Tourism Data - As of October 1, Chengdu welcomed 1.48 million visitors from outside the city, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.9%, while inbound tourists increased by 28.8% [1] - During the "Double Festival" from October 1 to 2, the East Suburb Memory site received over 210,000 visitors, with expectations to exceed 750,000 for the entire holiday period [2] Consumer Trends - The "immediate buy and refund" policy introduced in April has facilitated over 290 transactions, with a total refund amount exceeding 1 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 228% in tax refunds [1][13] - Popular items for tax refunds include clothing, bags, and jewelry, indicating a strong consumer interest in these categories [13] Event Highlights - The East Suburb Memory site is hosting a series of events from October 3 to 8, including music, art exhibitions, and themed markets, aimed at providing immersive experiences for visitors [2][3] - Special performances and activities are scheduled, such as the Munich Beer Festival and various music events, enhancing the cultural offerings during the holiday [3] Retail and Payment Innovations - Chengdu's IFS and Taikoo Li shopping districts have implemented a centralized tax refund point, streamlining the process for international shoppers [11][13] - The introduction of "Alipay Touch" payment systems across thousands of stores in Chengdu has improved the shopping experience for both domestic and international customers [13][16]

Core Insights - The introduction of the "immediate purchase and refund" tax refund service in Henan province marks a significant improvement in the shopping experience for international tourists, allowing them to receive refunds on the spot without needing to queue at the airport [1][3]. Group 1: Immediate Refund Service - The "immediate purchase and refund" service has been launched in key shopping areas such as Dennis David City and Zhenghong City, making it easier for international tourists to shop and receive tax refunds [1][3]. - In the first half of the year, 11 stores in the Jinshui District were included in the tax refund store list, accounting for nearly 1/2 of the city's total and about 1/3 of the province's total [3]. Group 2: Expansion of Services - Jinshui District is actively expanding its network of tax refund stores, with major locations like Watsons and Xinhua Bookstore expressing interest in joining the program [4]. - The district plans to enhance the shopping experience by integrating cultural consumption with tax refund services, allowing tourists to purchase local cultural products while benefiting from tax refunds [4]. Group 3: Service Upgrades - The district will focus on three main areas to enhance the tax refund service: expanding the number of eligible stores, improving multilingual service capabilities, and ensuring smooth refund processes [5]. - The goal is to make the "immediate purchase and refund" service a hallmark of Jinshui District's offerings, promoting it as a key strategy for attracting international consumers [5].

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation of the Chengdu IFS-Chunxi Road-Taikoo Li shopping district, showcasing its blend of traditional and modern elements, and its appeal to international consumers [1] Group 1: Tax Refund Policies - Chengdu IFS features over 180 duty-free shops, offering a wide range of products including clothing, electronics, and cultural items, making it a comprehensive shopping destination for tax refunds [1] - The district has introduced an "immediate purchase and refund" service, allowing tourists to receive tax refunds at the point of sale, enhancing the shopping experience [1] Group 2: Online Services and Growth - The "Code Refund" online service allows tourists to process tax refunds via a mobile app, streamlining the refund process and encouraging repeat purchases [2] - From January to July this year, the sales and tax refund amounts in Jinjiang District increased by 219.5% year-on-year, serving nearly 5,000 foreign tourists [2] Group 3: Brand and Store Development - The district has attracted numerous flagship stores, including Adidas' first brand center in Sichuan, which offers personalized products that resonate with foreign tourists [3] - Jinjiang District has established the first national flagship economy development center and research institute, fostering new brands and shopping experiences [3] - To date, the Chengdu IFS-Chunxi Road-Taikoo Li area has introduced over 600 flagship stores and nearly 2,000 international brands, hosting over 100 premiere events [3]

Core Insights - Chengdu is enhancing the convenience of tax refunds for international tourists through an "immediate refund" policy, which has significantly increased shopping enthusiasm among foreign visitors [2][4] - The city has established a comprehensive payment system for international consumers, allowing them to use UnionPay cards directly for public transport and facilitating a seamless shopping experience [8][9] Group 1: Tax Refund Policy - The "immediate refund" policy allows eligible international tourists to receive tax refunds on-site at designated stores, reducing the hassle of airport processing [4][7] - From January to July this year, Chengdu's tax refund business has seen a 200% year-on-year increase, with the total refund amount rising by 235% and driving a 195% increase in sales [7] Group 2: Payment System and Services - Chengdu has developed a payment system that includes large card payments, small QR code payments, and cash options, making it easier for foreign tourists to shop [8] - The city has over 65,000 foreign card merchants and more than 580 tax refund stores, with 150 stores offering the "immediate refund" service [8] Group 3: Cross-Province Tax Refunds - The tax refund process has been expanded to allow cross-province handling, enabling tourists to claim refunds when departing from cities like Chongqing, Kunming, or Xi'an [8] Group 4: Online Services and Experience - Chengdu promotes an online "immediate refund" service and leverages the "240-hour visa-free transit" policy to create a seamless "shopping-refund-tourism" experience [9]

Core Points - Hubei Province officially implements a tax refund policy for outbound travelers starting July 1, 2025, with Wuhan as a key city offering an innovative "buy and refund immediately" service [1][2] - The policy aims to enhance the internationalization of the city and improve the shopping experience for foreign travelers [1][4] Group 1: Policy Implementation - The "buy and refund immediately" service allows foreign travelers to receive tax refunds on-site by providing a credit card pre-authorization guarantee, marking a significant improvement over traditional tax refund processes [2][3] - The first day of the policy saw successful transactions, with travelers receiving refunds such as 177.12 RMB for a 2000 RMB purchase and 243 RMB for a 3000 RMB purchase [2] Group 2: Economic Impact - The tax refund policy is expected to boost high-end consumption and promote Hubei's specialty products globally, including local tea varieties [4] - Data shows a 48.18% year-on-year increase in foreign traveler entries during the May Day holiday and a 37.84% increase in total foreign traveler spending at Wuhan's port in the first half of the year [4] Group 3: Service Enhancements - HanKou Bank serves as the exclusive tax refund agency in Hubei, providing a dual-track service of "smart + manual" assistance at airports, with a self-service process that takes less than 5 minutes [3] - The number of tax refund stores in Wuhan has reached 62, with 33 offering the "buy and refund immediately" service, including well-known shopping centers [3] Group 4: Future Developments - Future plans include exploring more convenient verification mechanisms to convert policy benefits into consumption growth, enhancing Wuhan's competitiveness in the international tourism shopping sector [5] - The tax refund policy is expected to significantly increase the attractiveness of foreign traveler spending, supported by optimized cross-border payment and multilingual services [4][5]

Core Insights - The article highlights the growing trend of international tourists, particularly from Russia, engaging in shopping experiences in Sanya, Hainan, driven by attractive tax refund policies and convenient payment options [1][2]. Group 1: Tax Refund Policies - The minimum spending requirement for tax refunds has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, making it more accessible for international travelers [1]. - Tourists can receive immediate tax refunds through various methods, including cash, Alipay, or WeChat, enhancing the shopping experience [1]. Group 2: Tourist Demographics and Behavior - Approximately 50% of inbound tourists in Sanya are independent travelers, who tend to be younger and stay longer, seeking personalized cultural experiences [2]. - The number of inbound overnight tourists in Hainan reached 652,900 in the first half of the year, representing a year-on-year increase of 31.7% [2]. Group 3: Operational Improvements - Sanya has implemented measures such as multi-language guides and smart regulatory systems to streamline customs processes, significantly improving the experience for international travelers [2]. - The total number of travelers entering Sanya through visa-free policies exceeded 208,000 in the first half of the year, accounting for 88.54% of all inbound visitors [2]. Group 4: Future Opportunities - There is a desire for more local cultural shops to participate in the tax refund program, indicating potential growth areas for the tourism and retail sectors [3]. - The government is working to optimize the tax refund application process for merchants, aiming to expand the network of tax refund stores [3].