What is Instant Tax Refund?
Since April 8, 2025, China’s “Instant Refund (即买即退)” policy lets you get tax refunds immediately after shopping—not at the airport when you leave.
| Feature | Old Policy | New Policy (Apr 2025+) |
|---|
| Refund Timing | At airport departure | Right after purchase |
| Processing Time | 3-15 business days | Instant |
| Method | Airport counter only | In-store + Alipay Tap |
Refund Rates
| VAT Rate | Refund Rate | After Service Fee |
|---|
| 13% | 11% | 9% |
| 9% | 8% | 6% |
💡 A 2% service fee is deducted, so you actually receive 9% or 6%.
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Minimum Purchase | ¥200+ at same store, same day |
| Stay Duration | Within 183 days of entry |
| Departure | Leave China within 90 days of purchase |
| Store | Must be tax-refund registered |
Shanghai Tax Refund Stores
| Type | Count |
|---|
| Tax-refund registered stores | 1,700+ |
| Instant refund stores | 170+ |
Items NOT Eligible
| Item | Refundable? |
|---|
| Cultural relics, antiques | ❌ |
| Precious metals (gold, silver) | ❌ |
| Currency (domestic/foreign) | ❌ |
| VAT-exempt goods | ❌ |
| Export-prohibited items | ❌ |
| Wireless communication devices | ❌ |
| Rare herbal medicines | ❌ |
Instant Refund Process (6 Steps)
Step 1: Shop at Tax-Refund Stores
- Look for the tax-refund logo
- Spend ¥200+ at the same store
Step 2: Request Refund Documents
| Document | Description |
|---|
| Refund Application | ”Refund Application Form for Overseas Visitors” |
| Receipt (发票) | Chinese: fapiao |
Bring: Passport with entry stamp
Step 3: Credit Card Pre-Authorization
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| Accepted Cards | Visa, Mastercard |
| Method | Credit card pre-authorization |
| Agreement | Signature required |
⚠️ Important: Must be a credit card, not debit. Ensure sufficient credit limit!
Step 4: Receive Instant Refund
Choose your refund method:
| Method | Description |
|---|
| Cash | Instant cash (max ¥20,000) |
| Alipay Tap-to-Refund | Instant deposit to Alipay wallet |
| Credit Card | Beijing FastPay service |
Step 5: Airport Customs Verification
| Airport | Customs Location |
|---|
| Pudong T1/T2 | Near 3F Joint Inspection area |
| Hongqiao T1 | Near 2F international departure entrance |
Bring:
- Refund application form
- Receipt
- Passport
- Unused goods (carry-on or checked)
Step 6: Final Confirmation
After customs verification:
- ✅ Requirements met → Pre-authorization released
- ❌ Requirements not met → Refund amount charged to card
Alipay Tap-to-Refund (碰一下退税)
Launched June 2025—instant digital refund!
How to Use
- Open Alipay app
- Search “入境人士退税” (inbound tax refund) or use Tap feature
- Generate tax refund QR code
- Show QR at refund counter
- Staff scans
- Instant deposit to Alipay wallet!
Supported Locations
| Location | Details |
|---|
| Shanghai Xintiandi | Central refund point |
| Shanghai Plaza 66 | B2 floor (~90 stores) |
| Beijing | Central refund points |
Shanghai Airport Refund Counters
Pudong International Airport
| Terminal | Location | Hours |
|---|
| T1 | Near Gate 19 | 24/7 |
| T2 | Near Gate D83 | 24/7 |
Hongqiao International Airport
| Terminal | Location | Hours |
|---|
| T1 | Opposite Gate T09 | 7AM - last flight |
Cash Refund Limits
| Type | Limit |
|---|
| Cash refund | Max ¥20,000 |
| Over ¥20,000 | Bank transfer |
Credit Card Requirements
For Pre-Authorization
| Card Type | Accepted? |
|---|
| Visa credit card | ✅ |
| Mastercard credit card | ✅ |
| Debit cards | ❌ (can’t pre-authorize) |
Important Notes
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Card type | Credit card only (not debit) |
| Credit limit | Ensure enough for pre-authorization |
| Actual charge | No charge if conditions met |
Troubleshooting
Not Eligible for Refund
| Cause | Solution |
|---|
| Over 183-day stay | Check passport entry date (must be within 183 days) |
| Under minimum | Spend ¥200+ at same store |
| Wrong store | Only shop at tax-refund logo stores |
Card Rejected
| Cause | Solution |
|---|
| Using debit card | Switch to credit card |
| Low credit limit | Check available credit |
| International disabled | Enable international transactions |
Instant Refund Failed?
No worries! You can still get the traditional airport refund when departing.
Shanghai Tax Refund Stats (2025)
| Metric | Number |
|---|
| Tax-refund stores | 1,700+ |
| Instant refund stores | 170+ |
| Alipay Tap support | Xintiandi, Plaza 66 |
| Transaction growth | +229.8% YoY (Jan-Sep) |
Beijing-Tianjin Mutual Recognition
Since 2025, Beijing and Tianjin share instant tax refund privileges!
| Benefit | Details |
|---|
| Departure window | Beijing: 28 days (extended from 17, since June 2025) |
| Cross-recognition | Beijing ↔ Tianjin instant refund compatible |
Pre-Trip Checklist
Before shopping:
While shopping:
At departure:
Backup Methods
| Priority | Method | Notes |
|---|
| 1 | Cash refund | Always works, no app/card issues |
| 2 | Traditional airport refund | If instant fails |
| 3 | Different credit card | If pre-auth fails |
| Service | Contact |
|---|
| Shanghai Tax Hotline | 021-12366 |
| China Tax Administration | chinatax.gov.cn |
