Current as of October 2026. The detailed guide to getting a tax refund on purchases in China is on the page “Tax free in China: how much is refunded and how to claim it”. Below is a short summary of what has changed.
What changed in 2026
- The purchase threshold is ¥200 in one shop on one day (previously ¥500).
- Refund claims of up to ¥10,000 are checked selectively; claims of ¥10,000 and above are reviewed individually.
- The refund rate is 11% or 8%, from which a 2% fee is deducted, so you actually receive about 9% or about 6%.
- Refunds of up to ¥20,000 can be received in cash or by transfer; above that, only by bank transfer.
The remaining conditions — a shop with the Tax Free marking, departure no later than 90 days after purchase, a stay in China of no more than 183 days — are described in the main article.
