China to offer ”buy now, get refund now” service to tourists from overseas nationwide - Chinese media

On the 8th, the State Administration of Taxation issued the "Announcement on the Implementation of the 'Buy Now, Get Now Refund' Service Measures for Departure Tax Refunds on Purchases by Overseas Tourists", which went into effect nationwide on the same day.
Compared to the conventional tax refund method for departure from overseas, the "immediate purchase, immediate refund" method advances the refund, and tourists from overseas can get the tax refund at the time of purchase.
This measure has already been introduced on a trial basis in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang and other areas, and conditions are now said to be in place for it to be implemented nationwide.
According to the notice, when tourists purchase products eligible for tax refunds at stores that offer the "Buy Now, Get Now Refund" service, their credit cards are pre-approved.
After the passenger leaves the country, the customs office will check the passenger's identity and the tax refund product. The tax refund agency will also check that the refund information is correct.
After that, the credit card pre-authorization will be lifted and the refund process will be completed. A source from the State Administration of Taxation said, "The tax department will strengthen its understanding and guidance of related policies, and continue to upgrade the system functions.
"We will also optimize the procedures for payment and tax refunds. We will actively encourage overseas tourists to spend more in China, and fully tap the consumption potential of inbound tourists," he said.