Beijing launches first batch of centralized tax refund points for overseas tourists

Beijing has launched the first batch of centralized tax refund points, offering a pilot "Buy Now, Refund Now" service for efficient departure tax refunds for overseas travelers.

In a fresh move to boost inbound spending, China unveiled a new set of measures on April 27 to further optimize its departure tax refund policy to improve the shopping experience of overseas travelers.

The minimum purchase threshold for departure tax refunds has been lowered, allowing overseas travelers to apply for a refund if they spend at least 200 yuan (about 27 U.S. dollars) at the same store on the same day and meet other relevant requirements, according to a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and five other government departments.

So far, Beijing has a total of three centralized tax refund points providing "Buy Now, Refund Now" service, along with 16 large comprehensive shopping malls offering the instant refund service.

The upper limit for instant departure tax refunds has been raised from the previous 50,000 yuan (about 6,925.3 U.S. dollars) to 220,000 yuan (about 30,471.34 U.S. dollars), which means that foreign tourists can instantly receive tax refunds on purchases of up to 220,000 yuan after completing a credit card pre-authorization.

Overseas tourists can claim tax refunds on site at a centralized refund point with a tax refund application form issued by any departure tax refund store in Beijing.

"The fact that it's here the shopping mall and all you do is go downstairs and it's very fast and easy, and I don't have to wait in the long line at the airport, which was really nice," said Jordan, American tourist.

Driven by the new policy of departure tax refund, sales at some shops have also seen growth in recent times.

"In May, sales increased by about 20 percent compared to April. Over 90 percent of foreigners usually claim a tax refund," said Gao Deyao, deputy manager of DJI Flagship Store at Beijing China World Mall.

"We currently have over 100 brands in our shopping mall that offer tax-free shopping. Next, we will centrally declare the stores that meet the tax-free requirements and assist them in communicating with the tax authorities," said Cui Peng, operation manager of Beijing China World Mall.

China started to implement the departure tax refund policy for overseas travelers in 2015. Since its implementation, the scale of departure tax refunds has grown year by year, benefiting an increasing number of overseas travelers.

Beijing launches first batch of centralized tax refund points for overseas tourists

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Wednesday, discussing the recent shooting at the White House press dinner, the situation in Iran and the Ukraine crisis, the Kremlin said.

The Russian president informed his U.S. counterpart of Russia's readiness to declare a truce with Ukraine for the period of Victory Day commemorations.

Trump voiced strong support for the initiative, noting that "the holiday marks our common victory over Nazism in World War II," said Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov after the phone conversation that lasted over an hour and a half.

At Trump's request, Putin described the current situation along the contact line with Ukraine, where Russian troops maintain the strategic initiative and are pushing back enemy positions, said Ushakov.

Putin reaffirmed that the goals of the special military operation will be achieved in any case, the aide said. Russia would prefer this to be achieved through negotiations, for which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskymust respond positively to the well-known proposals that have been repeatedly put forward, including by the U.S. side, he said. Russia has handed over more than 20,000 bodies of the deceased to Ukraine, Putin told Trump, adding that Ukraine has returned just over 500 bodies to Russia since the beginning of 2025.

Among the issues on the international agenda, the two leaders focused primarily on the situation in Iran and the Persian Gulf, according to the Kremlin.

Putin viewed Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran as the right move, as it will help stabilize the situation, Ushakov said, adding that Putin drew attention to the inevitable, extremely dire consequences not only for Iran and its neighbors, but also for the entire international community should the United States and Israel resort to force again.

Russia remains firmly determined to fully support diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a peaceful settlement to the crisis, and has put forward a number of proposals intended to resolve differences over the Iranian nuclear program, said the presidential aide.

Ushakov noted that to this end, Moscow will maintain active contacts with Iranian representatives, leaders of Persian Gulf states, as well as with Israel and the U.S. negotiating team.

For his part, Trump also outlined his assessment of the Middle East situation to Putin.

Putin, Trump hold phone call on issues of Iran, Ukraine