离境退税不仅给境外旅客带来实惠，也是本国商品、本国文化走出国门的重要渠道。 作为提振消费扩大内需的重要内容，入境消费增长潜力巨大。 商务部等6部门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》（下称《通知》），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8项政策举措，让境外旅客退税 更便利、购物更满意。 商务部副部长盛秋平27日在国新办发布会上表示，离境退税不仅给境外旅客带来实惠，也是本国商品、 本国文化走出国门的重要渠道。下一步，商务部将加快推进政策落实落地，指导各地建立健全工作机 制，不断提高离境退税服务质量和水平。 入境消费增长潜力巨大 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。我国自2015年起全面 推行离境退税政策。 2024年，入境旅客总花费达到942亿美元，增长77.8%。境外旅客入境消费占我国GDP的比重约0.5%， 而世界主要国家入境消费占GDP比重在1%到3%之间，入境消费增长潜力巨大。 盛秋平表示，离境退税有助于降低境外旅客购物成本， ...

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is optimizing the departure tax refund policy to enhance inbound consumption and improve the shopping experience for foreign travelers, marking the 10th anniversary of the policy's implementation in China [2][3]. Group 1: Policy Background and Objectives - The departure tax refund policy allows foreign travelers to reclaim VAT on purchases made in designated stores upon leaving the country, aligning with practices in over 50 countries [2]. - The initiative is part of the broader strategy to implement the decisions made during the 20th National Congress, aiming to enhance the convenience of life for foreign visitors [3]. - In 2024, inbound traveler spending is projected to reach $94.2 billion, reflecting a 77.8% increase, indicating significant potential for growth in inbound consumption [3]. Group 2: Key Measures in the Notification - The notification outlines eight policy measures to address issues such as the limited number of tax refund stores and the need for a wider variety of products [2][5]. - Key highlights include expanding the number of tax refund stores in high-traffic areas, lowering the minimum purchase amount for refunds from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, and enhancing the overall service quality for tax refunds [5][6]. - The government aims to improve the accessibility of tax refund stores and increase the range of domestic products available for tax refunds, thereby promoting local brands [5][6]. Group 3: Expected Outcomes - The optimized policy is expected to stimulate consumption, enhance the effectiveness of the tax refund system, and contribute to the growth of the tourism sector [4][6]. - The initiative is also seen as a means to facilitate high-level opening up and promote the dual circulation of international and domestic markets [4]. - The five designated international consumption center cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing) are anticipated to see a doubling in the number of inbound foreign visitors in 2024 compared to the previous year [6].