Shenzhen launches pilot program to support departure tax refund policy

To further streamline the departure tax refund process for overseas travelers, Shenzhen in Guangdong province launched a new pilot program featuring a "one order, one bag" model at three designated malls on April 27. Under the scheme, purchases and departure tax refund forms are packed together in sealed bags, enabling customs officials to quickly verify the packaging's authenticity and cut inspection time by more than 50 percent.

At the same time, a nationwide shift on departure tax refunds from a refund-upon-departure mode to a refund-upon-purchase mode enables foreign visitors to claim value-added tax rebates instantly.