Shenzhen expands 'buy and refund' services with new batch of approved stores

The Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Shenzhen Tax Service of the State Taxation Administration jointly released the ninth batch of designated "buy and refund" stores, adding 72 new shops to the city's program. The latest batch includes retailers offering electronics, fashion, home goods, and more. With this addition, Shenzhen now has over 400 approved tax refund stores, many of which are located in the Luohu district.

The "buy and refund" service allows foreign travelers to claim a tax refund on eligible purchases directly at the store. After signing an agreement and completing a credit card pre-authorization, shoppers can receive a refund amount in RMB on the spot. This policy streamlines the tax refund process, enhancing convenience and encouraging consumption by offering a more traveler-friendly shopping experience.

Shenzhen was designated as the sixth city in China to pilot the "buy and refund" program, which has been in effect since 2016. In December 2024, the program expanded further with the launch of Shenzhen's first land-based refund outlet at the Wenjindu Port. Alongside previously established refund services at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and Shekou Cruise Homeport, Shenzhen has now become the first city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to offer full tax refund access via sea, land and air ports.