New Tax Free Rules in China

There are so many cool places to see in China! The Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, the Temple of Heaven, the Longmen Grottoes, and an incredible number of national parks, each more beautiful than the last. And from everywhere, you want to bring souvenirs. And where there are souvenirs, there's more serious shopping. Kupibilet knows how to get to all these attractions in China (we have convenient tickets from Moscow to Chengdu or from St. Petersburg to Shanghai). And the Chinese authorities know how to make tourists' spending more pleasant. Starting April 2025, they have optimized the tax-free rules.

How it used to be

To get a tax refund on goods, it was required to fill out a special "Application for Tax Refund upon Departure from the Country for Goods Purchased by Foreign Passengers" at the checkout, provide a document confirming the purchase of the goods, and a passport.

No more than 90 days should have passed from the date of payment to the day of departure from China, while the lower threshold for the purchase amount was quite significant – 500 yuan. The maximum refund amount was 10,000 yuan.

But the most inconvenient aspect of Tax Free processing was its location: money could only be refunded at the airport, upon departure from China. Therefore, receipts for all major purchases had to be kept until the end of the trip. Money was refunded in cash, to a bank account, or via WeChat or Alipay payment systems.

Initially, the pilot regions were Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, as well as Guangdong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces.

How it is now

The most important thing is that now money can be refunded immediately after purchase. To do this, you need to choose a suitable store that participates in the tourist VAT refund service program.

The second pleasant update is that the purchase amount eligible for compensation has decreased. Now it is 200 yuan. For context, 200 yuan would cover a dinner for two at a restaurant. However, the maximum cash refund amount has doubled – to 20,000 yuan.

Refunds via mobile payments, such as WeChat and Alipay digital wallets, and credit cards, of course, also remain available.

You can still get 11% back from the purchase amount. Categories of goods include clothing, footwear, accessories, electronics, jewelry, and cosmetics.

In this way, the Chinese authorities are attracting new tourists to the country. Therefore, they recommend all their regions open additional Tax Free stores and include existing ones in the program. Primarily in large cities and tourist areas, near attractions, museums, in hotels, and airports. 

By the way, shopping is a great way to occupy yourself while waiting for your next flight. If you're flying for a vacation via China, read about transit visas: whether you need one and how to apply for it.