Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    OUTBOUND international tourists, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan compatriots, can enjoy tax refunds of up to 9 percent when leaving Shenzhen, according to a new rule that takes effect Friday.

    They can only receive refunds on purchases made at 69 specific stores, mostly located in central Shenzhen.

    Eligible people can apply for a tax refund at a service station at the departure building for international passengers at Shenzhen International Airport.

    The service station, which opened Thursday, is the first in Guangdong Province.

    The Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation announced Thursday that Shenzhen and Qingdao, and some cities in Jiangsu, Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces will implement the departure tax refund policy for purchases by overseas tourists leaving the Chinese mainland.

    According to the rule, overseas tourists refer to foreigners and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots who stay on the mainland for no longer than 183 days.

    They must purchase no less than 500 yuan (US$79) of products at the same tax rebate shop in one day. Tax refundable items mean the personal items purchased by overseas tourists themselves from tax refund stores.

    The goods purchased for refund must be bought no more than 90 days before departure and be unused.

    People looking for refunds should ask for tax refund application forms and sales invoices from tax refund stores before applying with the Customs office for verification of tax-refund goods.

    A similar program has been in use in Hainan Province since 2011.