Tax refund for travellers
Updated September 2026 · Verified against SAT rules
Overseas visitors can claim back the VAT on goods bought at designated tax-free stores.
Getting the VAT refund at the mall counter
The numbers, verified
~9%
Real refund after the 2% agency fee
¥200
Minimum per store per day
¥20,000
Cash-refund cap
即买即退
Instant refund nationwide since 2025-04
Source: State Taxation Administration 2025-04.
Who qualifies
- Overseas visitor (foreign passport, or HK / Macau / Taiwan residents).
- Stay in mainland China no more than 183 consecutive days.
- Goods taken out within 90 days of purchase, not yet used.
- Bought at a tax-free store that issued the application form.
Two ways to get your refund
A · Instant refund (即买即退)
At participating stores, you get the refund on the spot via a credit-card pre-authorisation.
- Bring your passport — the store checks it first.
- data-zh="若未按时从指定口岸离境，代理点会追回预付金（不退）。">If you miss the promised departure, the pre-authorisation is reclaimed.
B · Airport refund (three steps)
- At the tax-free store: get the refund form with passport + invoice.
- At departure: Customs verifies goods + form + passport (goods on you).
- At the refund counter: collect cash / transfer / wallet.
The airport route, step by step. Keep the goods unused until Customs checks.
Myths vs what is true now
- "Minimum is ¥500." → Wrong since 2025: ¥200.
- "Only at the airport." → Wrong: instant refund in-store.
- "Cash cap ¥10,000." → Wrong since 2025: ¥20,000.
- "Flat 11%." → Wrong: 11%/8% minus 2% fee ≈ 9%.
⚠ Where people lose the refund
▶
- Bought at a store with no tax-free logo
- Used the goods before Customs checked
- Lost the application form
- Missed the 90-day window
- Took instant refund but left from the wrong port
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