Shanghai to simplify tax refunds for overseas visitors

Shanghai will roll out upgraded departure tax refund services during this year's Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, running from early July to early October, as part of efforts to make the city more accessible and enjoyable for overseas visitors.

01 Digital upgrades for Shanghai Summer

During the consumption season, Shanghai will introduce three measures to enhance digital departure tax refund services for international travelers.

The upgrades follow a national package of measures announced on May 18, aimed at accelerating and simplifying the tax refund process.

Upgraded digital services throughout the departure tax refund process: Shanghai has launched the "Tax Free Online" platform, allowing overseas visitors to fill out tax refund applications, use the "refund-upon-purchase" service, undergo customs verification, and process refunds at ports entirely via mobile devices. During Shanghai Summer, the platform will be promoted globally to make departure tax refunds more accessible.

Enhanced digital services for the "refund-upon-purchase" program: Tax refund agencies will introduce new self-service machines, enabling visitors to complete refund procedures independently and receive payments via e-wallets or major credit cards. The first batch of machines will be installed at tax refund counters in shopping areas, with citywide coverage planned by year-end.

Upgraded digital customs verification services at departure ports: Self-service inquiry machines and smart verification machines will initially be deployed at Pudong and Hongqiao airports. Visitors can use the inquiry machines to determine whether customs verification is required for their tax refund goods. If verification is not required, they may proceed directly to check-in and baggage drop-off.

For tax-refund goods valued below 10,000 yuan ($1,470) that require verification, smart verification machines at customs declaration counters can complete the process. Goods valued at 10,000 yuan or above will still require manual verification.

02 A stronger tax refund network

These digital upgrades build on Shanghai's efforts over the past year to expand its departure tax refund network and improve services for international visitors.

Since the launch of the updated national departure tax refund policy last year, Shanghai has implemented a three-year action plan focusing on four priorities: expanding service coverage, diversifying products, improving convenience, and optimizing the service environment.

Expanded coverage: More than 2,100 departure tax refund stores now operate across shopping areas, scenic spots, hotels, museums, sports venues, and exhibition centers. Services have extended from shopping areas and commercial streets to major events such as the China International Import Expo, the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, and the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Diversified products: Local brands and products, including Shanghai Gifts, domestic trending products, and premium tech items, now offer tax refunds. Shanghai also launched the consumer brand Shanghai Style, introducing customized tax-refund items from time-honored brands, contemporary Chinese-style fashion, jewelry, watches, and eyewear.

Improved convenience: A network of 25 citywide tax refund counters, 17 mall-specific counters, and additional single-store counters has been established. A pilot "packaging and coding" program allows visitors to pack tax refund goods in standard bags and have them quickly verified at customs.

Optimized service environment: About 97,000 POS terminals capable of processing foreign credit cards have been deployed. The multilingual one-stop service platform Easy Go has been upgraded as part of the "Shopping in China" campaign, providing guidance to visitors throughout the departure tax refund process.

In 2025, Shanghai received 9.36 million inbound visits, nearly 40 percent more than the previous year. The number of departure tax refund application forms issued increased 3.1 times year-on-year, and total departure tax refund sales grew 80 percent, accounting for nearly half of the national total.