China further streamlines departure tax refund services

 China's State Taxation Administration has introduced new measures to make departure tax refund services more digital and convenient for overseas visitors, according to a recent notice.

These measures will enable the electronic transfer of tax refund applications and sales invoices, supporting paperless processing throughout the entire refund procedure.

Beginning Sept. 1, participating tax refund stores will be able to upload overseas visitors' valid identification documents when issuing refund-upon-purchase applications, enabling refund agencies at the place of purchase to review departure tax refund documents online. Refund agencies at the point of departure will verify visitors' identity information and process the refunds in accordance with existing regulations.

The administration will also promote pilot departure tax refund services at online stores and expand an existing information-entry QR code into a nationwide service code, allowing visitors to submit information and check refund details online.

The notice calls for a severe crackdown on illegal activities such as fraudulent proxy purchasing and the smuggling of tax-refunded goods back into the domestic market. Any tax refund store found to have participated in or organized such activities will be disqualified from offering departure tax refund services. ■