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Travelers can apply for a tax refund if they spend 200 yuan
(about $27) at the same store on the same day and meet other
requirements starting Saturday, according to a joint statement
by the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities. Previously,
the minimum amount was 500 yuan (about $69).
The upper limit for their tax rebate in cash also has been
doubled to 20,000 yuan ($2,745).
The government will expand the coverage of tax refund shops and
streamline the procedures. Officials encourage some regions to
set up refund points for travelers to get rebates immediately
after their purchases in areas highly concentrated with
tourists, the statement said.
China's Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping told reporters
in a news conference that inbound tourist consumption accounted
for about 0.5% of China's gross domestic product in 2024, while
figures in other major countries ranged between 1% and 3%. That
indicated a great potential for growth, Sheng said.
Last year, inbound tourists' spending hit $94.2 billion, up
77.8%, he added.
China’s economy expanded at a 5.4% annual pace in January-March,
the government said earlier this month, supported by strong
exports ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s rapid increases
in tariffs on Chinese products.
But analysts expected the world’s second largest economy would
slow significantly in the coming months as tariffs as high as
145% on U.S. imports from China take effect. Beijing has hit
back at the U.S. with 125% tariffs on American exports, while
also stressing its determination to keep its own markets open to
trade and investment.
China has stepped up efforts to spur more consumer spending and
private sector investment over the past months, doubling down on
subsidies for auto and appliance trade-ins and channeling more
funding for housing and other cash-strapped industries.
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