Chongqing’s tax authorities have announced the successful implementation of the first cross-provincial instant tax refund service between Sichuan and Chongqing.
A Russian tourist, Kulyenko Yevgeny, purchased nearly 60,000 yuan (RMB) worth of tax-refund goods in Chongqing and received an instant refund of over 5,200 yuan. The next day, he departed from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan, where he successfully completed the verification process using the tax refund application form and invoice issued by the Chongqing store.
Previously, overseas tourists who used the instant tax refund service in Chongqing could only complete the verification process when departing from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Similarly, those using the service in Sichuan could only depart from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
In July 2025, the tax authorities of Chongqing and Sichuan jointly launched a pilot program for the cross-provincial instant tax refund service to provide more convenient and efficient tax refund services for overseas tourists.
Now, overseas tourists who shop at any instant tax refund store in Sichuan or Chongqing and complete the refund process can freely choose to depart from either Chengdu Tianfu International Airport or Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for verification and cancellation of the credit card pre-authorization. It is important to note that tourists using this service must commit to departing from either of these two airports within 17 days of receiving the tax refund application form.
The specific procedure is as follows: When departing, overseas tourists must present the purchased goods, the Tax Refund Application Form for Overseas Tournaments, the sales invoice, and their passport or other valid ID to customs for inspection. After verification, customs will stamp the application form and approve it in the system. Then, the tourist must submit their passport, the stamped application form, and the sales invoice to the tax refund counter in the departure area. The refund agency will review the documents and, if everything complies with the policy, cancel the credit card pre-authorization and finalize the refund.
