Foreign tourists can now claim VAT refunds on the spot, thanks to China's new nationwide tax refund-upon-purchase policy.
Eligible purchases made at designated stores allow overseas shoppers to receive instant VAT refunds after completing a credit card pre-authorization.
Before departing, travelers must present the following to Chinese customs:
Tax Refund Goods
Refund Application Form for Overseas Visitors
Invoices
Passports or Other Valid ID
To finalize the process, they'll also need to submit to the tax refund agency:
Valid ID
Refund Application Form Verified by Customs
Invoices for Tax Refund Goods
Jiangsu's instant tax refund pilot program started in 2023,
building on its 115 tax-refund stores in eight cities, namely, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Taizhou, Nantong and Huai'an.
With cooperation from the local tax refund agency and approval from tax authorities, offering instant tax refund is a straightforward addition for these stores.
Since 2024, Jiangsu tax-refund stores' sales to inbound tourists have reached 210 million yuan.
List of Tax-Refund Stores in Jiangsu
