Foreign visitors can ask shops about a departure tax refund, but the rules, the minimum spend and the list of taking-part shops change. Ask at the counter before you pay, and confirm the current rules in the week you travel. This page helps you plan the steps without promising an outcome.
What is a tourist tax refund?
It is a scheme that returns part of the tax on goods you buy in a country and take out with you when you leave. The goods must leave with you, and you normally need to show proof of that at departure.
For a shopper, the refund is a pleasant extra, not a reason to buy. Plan your shopping first and treat the refund as a bonus.
Who can claim?
Eligibility turns on details such as your residence, how long you have been in China and the shop’s own status. Because these details change, we do not list them here. Instead, ask the shop, the airport and the official tax authority.
If you are on a group package, ask your agency whether free time near taking-part shops is built in. Time at a showroom stop is not a refund opportunity by itself, so read our guide on shopping-stop questions.
What should you ask at the shop?
Before you pay, ask these questions.
- Does this shop take part in the tourist refund scheme?
- Is there a minimum spend for one receipt?
- What paper or e-form will you give me, and in what name?
- Where do I complete the refund, and how long before my flight?
- Does the item need to be shown, or may it be in my check-in bag?
Write the answers in your phone notes or photograph the receipt.
What should you prepare for the airport?
Keep your passport, boarding pass, receipts and the goods together. Allow extra time before your flight, because refund counters can have queues, and your goods may need to be shown before you check them in. Our guide on baggage rules for domestic flights and trains helps if you also have an internal flight.
Is a refund worth planning around?
It can be, for one or two large purchases. For small items, the time spent may outweigh the saving. Weigh your own time, especially when travelling with seniors or children.
What should you do next?
Note the questions above, then fold shopping into your budget using the budget planner. Read entry-related costs to budget for and the costs topic page for the wider picture.