Tool 09
China tax refund for tourists
Shopping in China? Overseas visitors can claim back 11% VAT on what they buy — and since 2025 the minimum spend dropped to just ¥200 and many stores now refund you instantly, in cash. See if you qualify and what you'll get back.
You can claim a refund
Estimated refund on ¥1,000 of shopping:
¥110
That's 11% of the price, the refund rate for standard-rate (13% VAT) goods. The exact amount can vary a little by store, refund agency and method — treat this as an estimate.
Spend the ¥200 minimum at a single accredited Tax Free store on one day. This is a quick estimate, not tax advice — see the steps and official sources below.
What changed in 2025
In April 2025 six government departments refined the departure-refund policy to pull in more inbound spending. Three changes matter most to a shopper:
| What | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum spend (same store, same day) | ¥500 | ¥200 |
| Cash-refund ceiling | ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Instant in-store refund (即买即退) | Pilot cities only | Nationwide |
Who can claim
You're an overseas visitor. Foreign passport holders, plus compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Mainland residents don't qualify.
Short stay.You've been in the mainland no more than 183 continuous days.
Leaving soon. You depart within 90 days of the purchase, carrying the unused goods out with you.
How to get your refund
There are two ways to claim, depending on the store.
The instant way — refund at the store (即买即退)
At a growing number of stores you get the refund in cash on the spot, secured by a hold (pre-authorisation) on your credit card. You then have to leave the mainland within the agreed window and pass customs verification on the way out — otherwise the agency charges the held amount back to your card. It's the fastest option, and the refunded cash is yours to spend right away.
The classic way — claim at the airport
- Shop at a Tax Free store. Spend at least ¥200 at the same accredited store on the same day. Show your passport and ask for the departure tax-refund application form along with the sales invoice.
- Get customs verification at the airport. Before you check in, take your passport, the refund form, the invoice and the unused goods to the Customs verification counter. Customs may inspect the items, so keep them accessible — don't pack them deep in checked luggage.
- Collect your refund. After verification, go to the refund agency counter in the departure area to collect your money — by cash (up to ¥20,000), bank card or mobile wallet.
Frequently asked questions
What is China's departure tax refund?
It's a refund of value-added tax (VAT) on shopping, for overseas visitors leaving mainland China. For standard-rate (13% VAT) goods you get back 11% of the price you paid. It's official and run through accredited "Tax Free" stores — verified 2026-06-23 against Chinese government sources.
How much money do I actually get back?
About 11% of the ticket price for standard-rate goods — so roughly ¥110 on ¥1,000 of shopping. China's VAT on those goods is 13%; the refund rate is 11%, with the 2-point difference kept by the refund agency as its service fee. The exact figure can vary slightly by store and refund method.
What's the minimum I have to spend?
¥200 at the same store on the same day. This was lowered from ¥500 in the 2025 policy refinement, so a lot more everyday shopping now qualifies.
What is the 'instant refund' (即买即退)?
It's a buy-and-refund model now rolled out nationwide: at participating stores you get the refund in cash on the spot, secured by a pre-authorisation hold on your credit card. You must still pass customs verification and leave the mainland within the agreed window — if you don't, the agency charges the pre-authorised amount back to your card. The cash limit is ¥20,000.
Who is eligible?
Foreign passport holders and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, who have stayed in the mainland for no more than 183 continuous days, are leaving within 90 days of buying, and carry the unused goods out with them. Mainland residents don't qualify.
Which goods qualify, and which don't?
Most retail goods bought at accredited Tax Free stores qualify — electronics, cosmetics, clothing, watches and the like. What doesn't: anything you've used up or consumed, goods you mail or ship home rather than carry, and items that are banned or restricted from leaving China. The goods must be unused and available for customs to inspect.
How do I claim it at the airport?
Three steps: (1) at a Tax Free store, spend the ¥200 minimum and get the refund form; (2) at the airport before check-in, get customs verification with your passport, form, invoice and the goods; (3) collect the refund at the agency counter. Arrive early — the verification counter can have a queue, and it's usually before security.
Can I get the refund in cash?
Yes, up to ¥20,000 (raised from ¥10,000 in 2025). Above that, the refund goes to a bank card or mobile wallet. You can also choose card or mobile payment for any amount.
Where is this information from, and is it current?
Verified 2026-06-23 against official Chinese government sources — the gov.cn policy notice and interpretation, plus tax-bureau guidance. Links are in the sources section below. Policies change, so confirm with the official sources before you rely on it.
Compiled from official sources by Henry · independent · based in China
Before you fly: get an eSIM that works with no VPN and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay — the instant-refund stores expect a working card, and mobile payment is how you'll spend the cash you get back.
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Official sources
Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.
- https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202504/content_7021194.htm
- https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202504/content_7017976.htm
- https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202504/27/content_WS680de14bc6d0868f4e8f21bf.html
- https://shanghai.chinatax.gov.cn/zcfw/zcjd/202505/W020250528598833125034.pdf
- https://english.beijing.gov.cn/consuminginbeijing/consumerrights/202103/t20210330_2333090.html
Disclaimer: This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. China's departure tax-refund rules, rates, thresholds and eligible goods change — confirm with the official sources above, the accredited store, or the customs and tax authorities before you rely on this page. Ready Set China is an independent information site: not a travel agency, booking agent, tax agent or government body.