Tax-free guide · Asia

Tax-free shopping in mainland China

Yes. Visitors can claim back VAT (13%) on goods they take home through China departure tax refund for overseas visitors. You need to spend CN¥200 or more including tax per shop, per day, and some shops refund at the till, otherwise you claim it when you leave. A refund is never automatic: customs has to confirm the export, and operators can deduct a fee.

Last checked 2 November 2026. Figures are estimates, not tax advice.

China at a glance

StatusRefund available
SchemeChina departure tax refund for overseas visitors
Tax in the priceVAT, standard rate 13%
Not yet checked against an official source
Reduced rates9% on certain goods (books, agricultural products, etc.)
Not yet checked against an official source
Minimum spendCN¥200 or more including tax per shop, per day
Lowered from 500 to 200 yuan per traveller, same tax-refund store, same day (State Council measures, April 2025).
Where you get it backAt the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave
Typical refund78% to 96% of the tax
Refund = invoice amount including VAT x 11% (13% goods) or 8% (9% goods) = 96% of the VAT, less the refund agency's fee, which it may deduct from the refund (STA Jiangsu 2025). Shanghai's rule (2015) allowed 2% of the invoice amount, leaving 9% of the price = 78% of the VAT at today's 13%; current local fee levels not published.
Who can claimOverseas travellers (foreigners and residents of HK, Macao, Taiwan) leaving within 90 days of purchase with the goods unused.
DeadlineDepart within 90 days of purchase; goods unused and unconsumed.
Prices on tagsShelf prices include tax
Not yet checked against an official source

What could you get back?

Here's the arithmetic on a CN¥2,000 purchase. The tax inside a price that includes 13% tax is 13/113 of it, about 11.5%.

Example purchase

China, standard rate

Price you pay, including taxCN¥2,000
Tax inside it (13/113 of the price)CN¥230.09
Estimated refundCN¥179.47 to CN¥220.88

CN¥2,000 is about US$300.83, €268.21, £224.17, A$429.25 at the mid-market rate for 2 November 2026.

An estimate, not a promise. Goods at a reduced rate get back less, and you only get a refund if customs and the operator approve your claim.

What may change: Refund-upon-purchase rolled out nationally from 2025 (over 7,000 stores by Nov 2025).

Cash or bank transfer up to CNY 20,000; above that, bank transfer only.

How to claim the refund in mainland China

Bring your passport. Shops need to see it to sell tax-free. Overseas travellers (foreigners and residents of HK, Macao, Taiwan) leaving within 90 days of purchase with the goods unused.
Spend enough in one go. Spend CN¥200 or more including tax per shop, per day and ask the shop for the tax refund form.
Ask about a refund at the till. Some shops take the tax off at the till or refund it on the spot. Otherwise you pay the full price and claim later.
Keep the goods unused and with you. Customs can ask to see them when you leave, so keep them in your hand luggage until the claim is done.
Validate the claim when you leave. Have the form validated by customs or at a kiosk when you leave mainland China. Depart within 90 days of purchase; goods unused and unconsumed.
Collect the refund. The shop or refund operator pays you, usually by card or in cash, less any fee it charges.

Want the real cost of a price tag here? Try the refund calculator, and read why you should always pay in local currency.

Questions

How much is the tax refund in mainland China?

VAT is 13%, so the tax inside a price is 13/113 of it, about 11.5%. On a CN¥2,000 purchase that's CN¥230.09, and you could get back between CN¥179.47 and CN¥220.88, the share of the tax the official source gives. It's an estimate: reduced-rate goods get back less and every claim needs approval. Last checked 2 November 2026.

What is the minimum spend for tax-free shopping in mainland China?

CN¥200 or more including tax per shop, per day.

Where do I claim the tax refund in mainland China?

At the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave. Depart within 90 days of purchase; goods unused and unconsumed.

Is it cheaper to buy things in mainland China?

Only if the price on your card, after any tax refund you'll actually get, beats the price at home. Convert the tag at the mid-market rate, add your card's foreign transaction fee (often around 3% on bank cards, 0% on travel cards), then take off the refund estimate, and compare. Always pay in the local currency, because the shop's conversion costs more. Priceglot does this for every tag you point it at.

Sources

State Taxation Administration - China refines departure tax refund policy (checked 2 November 2026)
english.www.gov.cn - China refines departure tax refund policy to encourage inbound consumption (checked 2 November 2026)
STA Shanghai - A Guide to the Departure Tax Refund for Overseas Visitors (checked 2 November 2026)
MOF/STA/GACC Announcement 2019 No. 39, art. 4 (departure refund rates 11% / 8%) (checked 2 November 2026)
STA Jiangsu - Notice on selecting departure tax refund agencies (15 Oct 2025) (checked 2 November 2026)
Wenhui Bao - Shanghai departure refund 11%, agency fee 2% of invoice (1 Jul 2015) (checked 2 November 2026)

Last checked 2 November 2026.