Beijing achieves "tax refund upon purchase, refundable anywhere in the city".

Beijing has achieved “tax refund upon purchase, refundable anywhere in the city.”

On May 15, foreign merchants selected goods at the Yiwu International Trade Market. As the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico approaches, World Cup-related products are popular in Yiwu, Zhejiang, known as the “world’s supermarket.”

Yesterday afternoon, a press conference was held to introduce measures to optimize departure tax refund policies and expand inbound consumption. In 2025, national departure tax refund sales increased by nearly double year-on-year. To date, the number of tax refund stores has reached 14,000. Beijing is building a world-class international consumption service system, pioneering the “citywide tax refund, one-stop processing” model, achieving “tax refund upon purchase, refundable anywhere in the city.”

In April 2025, six departments issued a notice to further optimize departure tax refund policies and expand inbound consumption, marking version 1.0 of the policy, which accelerated development. This year, version 2.0 was issued, proposing eight specific measures to make tax refunds more convenient, time-saving, and hassle-free for travelers.

Since version 1.0 was introduced, departure tax refund transactions have increased significantly. To improve efficiency, version 2.0 adopts international practices by conducting random inspections on refund applications under 10,000 yuan, with only selected travelers needing customs verification, greatly reducing queue times at ports. Some travelers lost paper refund forms and sales invoices, preventing refunds. To address this, version 2.0 proposes paperless refund processing. These two measures will take effect from July 1 this year.

Data shows that in 2025, national departure tax refund sales nearly doubled year-on-year, with sales in one year roughly equaling the total from 2015 to 2024. The number of travelers receiving refunds reached 270,000, a threefold increase from 2024. Currently, there are 14,000 tax refund stores, about four times the number at the end of 2024.

As the capital and international exchange center, Beijing has unique advantages in expanding inbound consumption. It is building a world-class international consumption service system, focusing on first-stop convenience to open the “first mile” of inbound consumption, pioneering innovation in departure tax refund models, and showcasing the charm of a mega-city consumption experience.

Through the “GOBEIJING” platform, Beijing launched a travel wallet function nationwide, allowing foreign visitors to order food, buy coffee, and take the subway without linking a bank card, meeting small, frequent payment needs. It also established a friendly payment system covering seven major card organizations and connecting over 200 wallets from 37 countries.

Beijing pioneered the “citywide tax refund, one-stop processing” model, achieving “tax refund upon purchase, refundable anywhere in the city,” with each transaction completed in under two minutes. In 2025, Beijing’s departure tax refund consumption increased by 66% year-on-year, and in the first quarter of this year, it grew by 50% year-on-year.

Yiwu International Trade Market

The Yiwu International Trade Market, located in Zhejiang Province, China, is the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities. Its origins trace back to the 1980s when local farmers began trading goods on the streets, eventually leading to the establishment of a formal market in 1992. Today, it spans over 5.5 million square meters and connects suppliers with buyers from more than 200 countries and regions.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is a historic city with over 3,000 years of history, serving as the nation’s political and cultural center for centuries. It is home to iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, reflecting its imperial past under the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, Beijing blends ancient traditions with modern development, hosting major events like the 2008 Summer Olympics and serving as a global hub for innovation and</

Yiwu International Trade Market

The Yiwu International Trade Market, also known as the Yiwu China Commodity City, is the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities, located in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China. It originated in the early 1980s when local farmers began trading goods on street stalls, and it has since evolved into a massive complex of over 75,000 shops, attracting buyers from more than 200 countries. The market is a key driver of China’s export economy, renowned for its vast selection of affordable products and efficient global supply chain.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for much of the last 800 years, most notably during the Ming and Qing dynasties, which left landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Today, Beijing is a bustling modern metropolis that seamlessly blends its rich cultural heritage with rapid contemporary development.

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, China, served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Construction began in 1406 under Emperor Yongle, and the complex is the world’s largest ancient palace structure, featuring over 9,000 rooms. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and houses the Palace Museum, showcasing centuries of Chinese art and history.

Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built across the northern borders of China to protect against invasions, with construction beginning as early as the 7th century BCE. The most famous sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), stretching over 13,000 miles. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese history and culture.

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a complex of imperial religious buildings dating back to the Ming Dynasty (built in 1420). It was used by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The site is renowned for its symbolic architecture, including the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, and represents the cosmological relationship between heaven and earth.