Instant tourist tax refunds in Shenzhen, China, now accessible via foreign digital wallets
The Shenzhen Taxation Bureau, in collaboration with the local branch of the People's Bank of China, Ant International's Alipay+ global payment platform, and Guangdong Huaxing Bank, have launched a new tax refund service for inbound tourists. This partnership is part of a wider initiative to attract international visitors, stimulate consumption, and counter the impact of the trade war with the United States.
The South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba Group Holding, announced the service without providing any additional context. Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, operates Ant International, the global business arm behind the Alipay+ global payment platform.
The tax refund process, which previously took days, will now be completed in seconds through the use of the Alipay+ global payment platform. This significant improvement is expected to enhance the shopping experience for inbound tourists and encourage more visits to China.
Outbound travellers need to obtain a tax refund form after shopping and complete a pre-authorisation check at a service point. The minimum purchase threshold for tax refunds in China was lowered from 500 yuan (US$70) to 200 yuan in April, making it more accessible for tourists. There is no cap on bank transfers for tax refunds in China.
Initially, the service will be available to Hong Kong users through AlipayHK. As part of the expanded service, more localities and stores in China are now offering tax refund services. The cooperation was initiated by the Shenzhen Taxation Bureau, with backing from the local branch of the People's Bank of China, in partnership with Ant International's Alipay+ global payment platform and Guangdong Huaxing Bank to launch the tax prepayment service in the city on Monday.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in China's efforts to make the country more attractive to international tourists and boost its economy. The South China Morning Post, owned by Alibaba Group Holding, did not provide any further details about the partnership or its implications for the future of tourism in China.
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