Tax refund service is now available at HKRI Taikoo Hui in Jing'an district, Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Shanghai has ramped up its efforts to facilitate shopping tax refunds for overseas travelers by increasing the number of "Buy Now, Refund Now" service stations to five, announced the Shanghai Municipal Tax Service under the State Taxation Administration. This expansion aims to enhance convenience and accessibility for tourists seeking departure tax refunds while shopping in the city.

The two newly added service stops are located at HKRI Taikoo Hui on West Nanjing Road in Jing'an district and Bicester Village in Pudong New Area, further bolstering the network of service stations catering to tax refund returns. Shanghai now boasts more than 700 eligible stores offering departure tax refunds.

Shanghai took the lead in introducing the innovative "Buy Now, Refund Now" service in 2020, revolutionizing the departure tax refund process for eligible overseas travelers. This service allows travelers to swiftly apply for tax refunds at the service stations after shopping at designated tax refund shops, provided they possess shopping receipts and a valid foreign passport. Ding Ruifang, co-general manager of HKRI Taikoo Hui, emphasized the service’s convenience, saying that travelers can apply for refunds immediately after completing their shopping spree and all tax refunds are processed in cash. Ten merchants from HKRI Taikoo Hui have already qualified for tax refunds, with an additional 10 merchants are currently in the process of seeking qualifications, according to Ding.

The positive impact of these services is evident in Plaza 66, another shopping destination in Jing'an district that features a tax refund station. During the first half of this year, Plaza 66 witnessed a substantial surge in departure tax refund applications, issuing over 5,000 applications—a remarkable year-on-year increase of more than 220 percent.

To further enhance the shopping experience for overseas tourists, Shanghai recently unveiled a bilingual map pinpointing the locations of departure tax refund stores across the city. This comprehensive map provides detailed information on tax refund procedures, offering travelers valuable guidance and support throughout their shopping excursions in Shanghai.

Source: Shanghai Observer