As China expands its visa-free transit policies and continues to optimize its departure tax refund scheme, overseas travelers are showing growing enthusiasm for shopping in China. According to statistics from Guangzhou Customs, over 8,000 departure tax refund claims were submitted by overseas travelers at Guangzhou ports in the first half of this year, with total refund amounts exceeding 200 million yuan. These figures represent year-on-year increases of 192.6% and 149%, respectively—both record highs.

At the exit declaration counter at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, a Thai traveler proudly displayed her tax refund receipt, with a single refund exceeding 8,000 yuan. "I really love Chinese traditional culture. I had a great time traveling in China this time, and I bought lots of cosmetics, handbags, wallets, and more. After the tax refund, it's like getting a 10% discount on everything. It really let me shop as much as I like," she said. Her experience reflects the tangible convenience that tax refund policies bring to international tourists.

On July 25th, Ms. Fang, a traveler from Hong Kong, became the first passenger of the day to claim a tax refund at the tax refund point of Guangzhou Nansha Passenger Port. It took her less than 10 minutes to complete the entire process from submitting verification documents to receiving the refund. "I took a ferry to Guangzhou in the morning and am returning to Hong Kong by ferry in the evening. While waiting to board, I processed the tax refund. The shopping and service experience was just excellent," she shared. Her words echoed the sentiments of many travelers.

A representative from the Department of Port Control at Guangzhou Customs stated that the next steps will include developing self-service verification systems for travelers, aiming to make the entire process paperless and further enhancing the consumption experience for overseas visitors.

上半年广州口岸离境退税申请金额超2亿元

随着我国过境免签政策全面放宽，离境退税政策持续优化，境外旅客入境消费的热情持续高涨。据广州海关统计，今年上半年，广州口岸境外旅客离境退税申请单超8000份，退税申请单金额超2亿元，同比增长192.6%和149%，创历史新高。

在广州白云国际机场出境申报台前，泰国籍旅客帕帕瓦林展示了她的退税单——单笔退税超8000元。“我很喜欢中国的传统文化，这次来中国旅游不仅玩得开心，还买了很多化妆品、手提包、钱包等。退税后，这些商品相当于价格打了九折，让我能够尽情地买买买。”她的感受，正是境外旅客享受政策便利的真实写照。

7月25日，来自中国香港的方女士成为当天广州南沙客运港口岸离境退税点迎来的首位旅客，从提交核验材料到完成退税仅用了不到10分钟。“我早上乘船来广州玩，晚上乘船返港。在登船前的等候时间里，我就把退税办了，消费和服务体验真太好了。”方女士的话语道出了不少旅客的心声。

7月25日，来自中国香港的方女士成为当天广州南沙客运港口岸离境退税点迎来的首位旅客，从提交核验材料到完成退税仅用了不到10分钟。“我早上乘船来广州玩，晚上乘船返港。在登船前的等候时间里，我就把退税办了，消费和服务体验真太好了。”方女士的话语道出了不少旅客的心声。

文、图 | 记者 汪海晏 通讯员 关悦
译丨钟佳
英文审校丨林佳岱