Tourist tax refunds in Beijing begin

British tourist Mr Evans got 45.18 yuan ($7.28) refunded on a 502 yuan purchase of two silk folding fans and a panda doll mouse pad at the Terminal 3 tax refund agency of Beijing Capital International Airport, on July 1, Beijing Daily reported.

Evans and his two daughters from Wales came to Beijing one week prior for a trip and planned to head back on July 1. Seeing the tax refund promotions at the airport, they bought several gifts at a designated store and were the first to get tax refunds under the new Beijing policy.

Overseas tourists visiting Beijing can reclaim tax refunds on purchases made in the country starting July 1.

After checking in and passing Customs, Evans handed over the VAT refund form, receipt and purchased products, whereupon working staff sampled the form. He proceeded to the tax refund agency, located opposite of the duty-free shop. The agency examined the materials and gave Evans the rebate. Getting checked at customs and receiving the refund took less than a minute for each at the soonest.

"I think the threshold of 500 yuan is reasonable and the refund procedure is convenient. China has many attractive products, and since foreign tourists almost always budget for shopping, this policy means we can buy more. I will visit China again," said Evans.

Tourists from foreign countries and those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have lived on the Chinese mainland for no more than 183 days will be eligible for a value added tax (VAT) refund of 11 percent on goods bought at designated stores.

The minimum purchase to be eligible for a tax refund is 500 yuan ($80.6) at any one store in a day.

Goods eligible for the tax refund need to be bought within 90 days of departure and be taken back in person. The rebate covers everything except items that are prohibited from being taken overseas.

Foreign tourists will be given the refund in RMB. Both a cash refund and account transfer are allowed for refunds below 10,000 yuan ($1,612), while higher amounts will be transferred. Tax refund agencies can be found in Terminal 2 and 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

Tourists who want tax refunds are asked to arrive at the airport one hour earlier than usual.

74 enterprises have applied for qualification as tax refund stores, according to Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, and 57 department stores and well known brands have gotten approval, including Wuyutai Tea, Wangfujing Department Store, Xidan Department Store, Qianyixiang Silk, Yansha Department Store, and BHG.

British tourist Mr Evans got 45.18 yuan ($7.28) refunded on a 502 yuan purchase at the Terminal 3 tax refund agency of Beijing Capital International Airport, on July 1. [Photo/Beijing Daily]