Customs officers check "refund-upon-purchase" goods at Wenjindu port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- With the growing popularity of "China travel" and further optimization of the tax refund policy for overseas tourists, more visits to China are translating into purchases within China, further unlocking the consumption potential of inbound tourism.
According to Beijing Customs, in the first four months of this year, customs authorities at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport verified a total of 8,075 tax refund applications from overseas travelers, representing year-on-year increases of 114.82 percent.
The total value of tax refunded items covered by these applications reached approximately 369 million yuan, up 79.41 percent year on year. Both the number of applications and the total refund amount hit record highs for the same period at the two airports.
Before departing China, Russian tourist Gorinova Anastasia visited the customs declaration counter at Beijing Capital International Airport's departure hall to process her tax refund.
"Shopping here is very convenient. My friends and I bought many beautiful bags. We also visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and museums. The trip was very enjoyable," she said. Her tax refund application form listed the purchased items, unit prices, taxes paid, and the refund rate of 11 percent.
-- Leveraging policy support
Tax refunds for overseas tourists refer to the policy of refunding value-added tax (VAT) on goods purchased by overseas travelers when they leave China. China has implemented this policy nationwide since 2015.
On April 27 this year, the Ministry of Commerce and five other departments issued a guideline, outlining eight specific measures to enrich market supply, optimize tax refund services, and boost inbound consumption.
A key measure is to lower the minimum purchase threshold for tax refund eligibility. Overseas tourists can now apply for a tax refund if they purchase eligible goods worth at least 200 yuan from the same store on the same day and meet other requirements.
Statistics from Beijing Customs show that the 240-hour (10 days) visa-free transit policy significantly boosted the number of foreign tourists coming to China.
In the first four months, Beijing Customs processed over 7.07 million inbound and outbound passengers, a 22.3 percent year-on-year increase. The customs authority supervised 40,622 inbound and outbound flights at the Capital and Daxing airports, up 23.9 percent year on year.
The implementation of these policies not only benefits overseas tourists but also provides an important channel for Chinese goods and culture to reach global consumers.
From time-honored brands offering jewelry, cloth shoes, and tea to electronic products like smartwatches and tablet computers, Chinese brands and trendy products are gaining favor among foreign tourists, aided by the tax refund policy.
At Beijing Daxing International Airport, Iranian tourist Jalal opened his suitcase to show tablet computers and bedding sets featuring Shandong brocade that he had purchased. "I've always been drawn to China's traditional culture and emerging technology. With the tax refund, it's effectively a 10 percent discount. I bought quite a few souvenirs to take back," he said.
-- Optimizing the visitor experience
As China continues to expand its visa-free staying time, more overseas travelers are arriving with greater ease. Concurrently, customs facilitation measures are further enhancing the entry experience for visitors.
Building on the strong momentum of "shopping in China," Beijing Customs introduced ten measures to promote inbound tourism and consumption at the beginning of this year. These measures optimize the customs verification process for overseas tourists' tax refunds and enhance the convenience of tax refund services.
Beijing Customs is also coordinating with tax authorities to encourage more merchants to become tax refund shops, enriching and expanding the supply of goods for inbound tourists shopping in Beijing.
Four months after the implementation of these measures, the appeal for overseas tourists to consume in China has significantly increased, effectively unlocking the consumption potential of inbound tourism.
During the May Day holiday this year, Beijing Customs verified tax refund applications at the two airports increased by 105.14 percent year on year. The total value of refunded items covered by these verified applications surged by 155.81 percent year on year.
"This year, we have clearly seen an increase in the number of foreign tourists entering the country. Just in terms of tax refund business volume, a single shift can involve processing up to 60 cases now, a significant increase from before," said Lu Jingqiming, a customs officer at Beijing Capital International Airport.
To handle the growth in tax refund business, Beijing Capital International Airport Customs has set up multiple tax refund verification points in the departure channel, offering a one-stop service for verification and document stamping.
At Beijing Daxing International Airport, a dedicated baggage conveyor belt has been installed next to the customs declaration counter in the departure hall. Customs staff verify each tax refund item. Once verified, travelers can choose to place their luggage on this conveyor belt for immediate check-in, saving time.
To facilitate overseas tourists in processing tax refund verifications, Beijing Customs is strengthening cooperation with the Beijing Municipal Tax Service, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Capital Airports Holdings Co.,Ltd, said an official from Beijing Customs.
Subsequent measures will include further streamlining the verification process and adding clearer signage at service windows to provide greater convenience for overseas travelers.
(Edited by Tian Shenyoujia with Xinhua Silk Road, tianshenyoga0524@163.com)
A single purchase
