China is expanding the coverage of instant tax refunds to improve the experiences of eligible visitors — both foreigners and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The policy, already piloted in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and other parts of Guangdong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang, was extended nationwide April 8, 2025. The “instant tax refund” policy is a service that allows eligible visitors to claim their tax refund on purchased items at participating stores, instead of waiting until they depart. After signing an agreement and pre-authorizing a credit card, eligible visitors can receive a cash prepayment in RMB for the full VAT refund amount

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