China State Railway Group has announced that, starting Oct 1, the national railway system will completely replace paper receipts with electronic invoices. This move is expected to further enhance convenience for passengers while reducing operational costs.

Rail travelers can request digital invoices through the official 12306 online ticket booking platform or ticket counters and self-service machines at railway stations, within 180 days from the completion of their journey or the date of ticket refund or change.

Elderly passengers and those without internet access can apply for e-invoices in person at train stations or delegate the process to ticket purchasers or agents. Group tickets for tourism, students, and educational research, among others that passengers cannot request e-invoices directly, may be claimed by ticket buyers.

After the application is submitted, passengers will be able to query and download the invoices via the 12306 platform, the personal income tax app, or email. Reissuance is available up to three times within 180 days in case of errors or changes to the information.

Although paper tickets will be retired, electronic trip information will be sent through the 12306 app and via SMS. For those who are accustomed to using paper receipts as a trip reminder, the note can still be printed at station counters or self-service machines.

Non-real-name tickets, emergency paper tickets, and cross-border passenger transport tickets not processed through the railway ticketing system will continue to use the current reimbursement receipts.

Source: China State Railway Group