Major cities report sharp increases in departure tax refund transactions

各大城市离境退税业务量大幅增长

Chinese-made drones, smartphones, action cameras and designer toys are increasingly replacing tea, porcelain and panda-themed gifts on foreign tourists' shopping lists in China, as they increasingly seek innovative, higher-value products offering strong value for money, advanced features and models often unavailable abroad, according to customs authorities across the country.

全国海关表示，外国游客在华购物清单中，国产无人机、智能手机、运动相机、潮流玩具正逐步取代茶叶、瓷器、熊猫周边礼品。如今他们更青睐创意足、附加值高的商品，这类产品性价比出众、功能先进，且很多款式在海外难以买到。

Bolstered by the "Shopping in China" campaign and the growing popularity of the "China Travel" trend, customs authorities in major cities have reported sharp increases in departure tax refund transactions during the first five months, and expect the momentum to continue throughout the year.

依托“购在中国”活动以及“中国游”热度持续攀升，各大城市海关数据显示，今年前五个月离境退税业务量大幅上涨，业内预计这一势头将贯穿全年。

Customs officials at Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Jiangsu province verified 1,171 departure tax refund applications during the January-May period, covering tax-refundable goods worth 26.67 million yuan ($3.94 million), up 173.6 percent and 32.42 percent year-on-year, respectively, said Nanjing Customs.

南京海关介绍，今年1至5月，江苏南京禄口国际机场海关共审核通过1171笔离境退税申请，退税商品总值达2667万元人民币（折合394万美元），同比分别增长173.6%和32.42%。

Zhang Qian, a customs official at the airport, said that as departure tax refund transactions continue to rise, new trends are emerging in shopping preferences of foreign visitors.

该机场海关工作人员张茜表示，随着离境退税业务不断增多，外国游客的购物偏好也出现了新趋势。

"Chinese-made smart electronic products and trendy domestic cultural and creative goods have become increasingly popular among foreign travelers, attracting growing interest with their quality, innovation and distinctive Chinese appeal," said Zhang.

她说道：“国产智能电子产品、新潮文创商品深受外国游客喜爱，凭借优良品质、创新设计和浓郁的中国特色收获了越来越多关注。”

Hong Yang, another customs official at Ningbo Customs' airport branch in Zhejiang province shared similar views.

浙江宁波海关机场办事处工作人员洪洋也持相同看法。

"Fashion apparel, beauty products and premium lifestyle goods are also gaining traction among foreign travelers departing from Ningbo," she said.

她表示：“时装、美妆产品以及高端生活日用品，也越来越受到从宁波离境的外国游客青睐。”

Guan Lixin, a researcher specializing in marketing and consumption at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said the shift in foreign visitors' purchasing patterns reflects how Chinese brands are moving up the value chain and gaining recognition among consumers worldwide. Many products also offer better value and a wider selection of models than those available overseas.

北京商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院流通与消费研究所的研究员关利欣认为，外国游客消费偏好的转变，体现出中国品牌正迈向价值链高端，获得全球消费者认可。不少国产商品性价比更高，款式选择也比海外市场更丰富。

Guan said the trend also highlights the growing appeal of shopping as part of the travel experience in China, with foreign visitors seeking unique products that combine practical value, cultural elements and memorable experiences.

关利欣称，这一趋势也说明，购物已成为中国旅行体验中极具吸引力的一环，外国游客偏爱兼具实用性、文化特色且能留下美好回忆的特色商品。

To further enhance the shopping experience for foreign visitors, the Shanghai municipal government recently rolled out a new departure tax refund program, introducing new measures such as upgraded end-to-end digital tax refund services and improved digital verification services at ports of departure.

为进一步优化外国游客购物体验，上海市政府近期推出全新离境退税方案，升级全流程线上退税服务，并完善口岸线上核验等多项举措。

Shanghai Customs processed 201,000 departure tax refund verification forms between January and May, with refund-eligible purchases totaling 1.92 billion yuan, up 300 percent and 62 percent year-on-year, respectively, underscoring the growing popularity of tax-free shopping among foreign visitors.

今年1至5月，上海海关共审核20.1万份离境退税单据，退税消费总额达19.2亿元人民币，同比分别增长300%和62%，足以体现免税购物在外国游客中愈发受欢迎。

In the Chinese capital, Beijing Customs verified 87,906 departure tax refund applications during the first five months, involving refund-eligible purchases worth 758 million yuan, up 612.42 percent and 53.13 percent year-on-year, respectively.

首都北京方面，北京海关前五个月共审核通过87906笔离境退税申请，退税商品总额7.58亿元人民币，同比分别上涨612.42%和53.13%。

In a further move to encourage spending by international travelers, the Ministry of Commerce and several other government departments unveiled a new departure tax refund program in May aimed at optimizing departure tax refund services and expanding inbound consumption.

为进一步提振境外游客消费，商务部等多部门于5月发布全新离境退税相关方案，旨在优化退税服务、扩大入境消费规模。

The policy package includes broader coverage of departure tax refund stores, paperless processing, enhanced refund-upon-purchase services and more efficient verification procedures.

该系列政策包括扩大退税商店覆盖范围、推行无纸化办理、优化即买即退服务以及简化核验流程。

The measures will make refund-upon-purchase services more convenient by enabling travelers to complete tax ref...