Chongqing - From January to July, tax-free sales in Chongqing exceeded 13.3 million yuan, with tax refunds topping 1.46 million yuan—already surpassing the total for 2023, according to the Chongqing Municipal Tax Service.
The surge in tax-free shopping in Chongqing, driven by the expansion of China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy and the peak summer travel season, highlights strong cross-border consumer spending and a notable boost in tourism.
In July, tax-free goods sales hit 3.61 million yuan, nearly double June's figures. Tax refunds exceeded 390,000 yuan, with tourists from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, and Indonesia making up nearly 80% of the total.
Imported goods of various types are neatly displayed in the WFC, Jiefangbei. (Photo/WFC)
A Singaporean tourist praised Chongqing's shopping convenience after buying a handbag for over 30,000 yuan at Starlight 68 Plaza in Jiangbei District. He presented his passport and VAT invoice and received a tax refund of over 3,000 yuan before departure, saying, "Shopping in Chongqing is incredibly convenient."
Chongqing implemented its tax refund policy for overseas tourists in March 2018 to position itself as an International Consumption Center City and boost its inland opening-up hub development. In January, the city introduced a "Buy Now, Refund Now" policy, making tax-free shopping even more convenient for foreign visitors.
The city currently has 74 tax-free stores, with World Financial Center (WFC) in Yuzhong District and Starlight 68 Plaza in Jiangbei District leading in offering the "Buy Now, Refund Now" service.
"Cross-border tourism has not only boosted the development of the tourism industry but also generated significant economic benefits for Chongqing's tax-free stores," said Lan Tingyi, Director of the Second Tax Bureau of the Chongqing Municipal Tax Service.
Chongqing's tax authorities plan to expand the scope of tax-free services to cover all key commercial areas. This initiative aims to improve tax refund quality and efficiency, boost consumer spending, and support the region's high-quality economic growth.