TEA, Huawei mobile phones and clothing are often bought by international travelers before leaving Shenzhen from the Shenzhen International Airport.

    Starting this month, outbound overseas tourists, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots, can get tax refunds of 9 percent when leaving Shenzhen.

    They can only receive refunds on purchases made at 69 stores designated by local authorities. The stores include Rainbow, MOI, Haiya and Sundan. Most of them are located in business districts in Futian, Nanshan, Dongmen in Luohu District, and the Shenzhen airport.

    Bama Tea has two shops at the airport and its sales have increased greatly since the refund rule was implemented April 1.

    “Brands such as Tieguanyin and Wulong are the first choice for foreigners,” said Wu Qingbiao, a manager with Bama Tea Group.

    Foreign buy Huawei Technologies phones as their first choice, according to Wang Chengfu, head of the information department of Sundan, a household appliance retailer. Some brand-name underwear and small decorative items are also favored by foreign tourists.

    Shenzhen is home to more than 1,000 brands of women’s clothing.

    The stores have brochures advising tourists on how to get tax refunds. The Haiya Department Store in Nanshan began English-language training for employees.

    “The tax refund policy could help improve Shenzhen’s tourism competitiveness, stimulate inbound consumption and promote local brands overseas,” said Hua Tao with the Shenzhen Retail Business Association.

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

    They must purchase no less than 500 yuan (US$77) of products at the same tax rebate shop in one day and 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 department for verification of tax-refundable goods.

    (Han Ximin)