Foreign visitors can now claim value added tax (VAT) rebates immediately at tax-free stores, this is a major overhaul of the tax refund policy for foreign tourists, announced by the State Taxation Administration (STA) of China on Tuesday.
This allows foreign visitors to use the refunded amount right away for additional purchases during their stay in China, in contrast to the old system where VAT rebates were only accessible upon departure.
The new policy which was initially trialed in key regions such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Sichuan, and Zhejiang, has now met all the necessary operational requirements for a nationwide roll-out, as stated by the STA. This could ensure a seamless experience for foreign tourists.