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Invest Shanghai
Foreign visitors with valid passports, as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan holding a Mainland Travel Permit, are eligible for tax-free shopping.
To qualify, travelers must stay on the Chinese mainland for no more than 183 consecutive days. Additionally, they must make a minimum purchase of 500 yuan (US$68.75) at the same duty-free store on the same day, using the same payment method.
The maximum refundable rate is 11 percent of the invoiced sales value (8 percent for certain items).
However, the date of purchase cannot exceed 90 days from the departure date.
How to Redeem Your Duty-Free Shopping Refund
1 Shopping
Make your purchases at TFS stores and ask for a Tax Refund Application Form and a VAT invoice.
2 Stamp
Before checking in your luggage, visit customs with your VAT invoice, Tax Refund Application Form, valid passport or ID, and purchased goods. Get a customs stamp on your Tax Refund Application Form.
3 Claim
After security, present your valid passport or ID and stamped Tax Refund Application Form to receive your refund.
If the refund amount is 10,000 yuan or less, you can choose between a cash or credit card refund. For amounts exceeding 10,000 yuan, only credit card refunds are available.
Customs Declaration Counters
1 Terminal 1, Hongqiao International Airport
Before security: Level 2, close to International, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan departures
Business hours: 7am-last flight
2 Terminal 1, Pudong International Airport
Level 3, near the joint inspection area
Business hours: first flight until last flight
3 Terminal 2, Pudong International Airport
Level 3, near the joint inspection area
Business hours: first flight until last flight
4 Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
Close to Refund Office in joint inspection area
Business hours: On the day of cruise departure, 9:30am-11:30am or 11am-1pm
5 Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal
Customs declaration counter, 3/F, Terminals 1 and 2
Business hours: On the day of departure, subject to boarding time
Refund Office Locations
1 Terminal 1, Hongqiao International Airport
After security, opposite Gate T09.
Business hours: 7am-last flight
Tel: 2335-2987
2 Terminal 1, Pudong International Airport
After security, close to Gate 19.
Business hours: 24 hours
Tel: 6833-7509
3 Terminal 2, Pudong International Airport
After security, close to Gate D83.
Business hours: 24 hours
Tel: 6833-0115
4 Terminal S1, Pudong International Airport
After security, close to gate G135 on Level 3.
Business hours: first international flight to last flight
Tel: 6835-6850
5 Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
Close to customs in the joint inspection area.
Business hours: On the day of cruise departure, 9:30am-11:30am or 11am-1pm.
6 Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal
3/F, Terminals 1 and 2 (next to the duty-free shop)
2/F, opposite the duty-free shop, Terminal 3 (Oriental Sunshine).
Business hours: On the day of departure, subject to boarding time.
Don't hesitate to reach out to the staff there if you have any questions about tax-free shopping, customs procedures, or any other aspect of your journey. They are always happy to assist you with a smile!
For more details, you can check our previous article: Explainer: Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Matters