Shenzhen Customs sees higher efficiency in processing departure tax refund claims due to AI application

The Customs Administration in south China's tech hub of Shenzhen saw significantly higher efficiency in processing departure tax refund claims in the first two months of 2026, as a result of application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In January and February, the Shenzhen Customs handled 19,000 claims for departure tax refunds to the tune of 310 million yuan (about 44.94 million U.S. dollars), respectively up 10 times and 1.7 times year on year,

The related commodities are mainly electronic products such as mobile phones and tablet computers, as well as daily necessities like clothing and bags.

"The Shenzhen Customs is vigorously promoting the streamlined 'one sheet, one bag, one code' tax refund service. At the same time, the multimodal AI model helps us greatly reduce the time for inspection, with the fastest verification for a single sheet taking only one minute," said Zhang Peijia, a staff member with the Shenzhen Customs.

Shenzhen is the first city in China to implement the "one sheet, one bag, one code" value-added tax (VAT) refund service for eligible cross-border travelers.

The measure, rolled out last September at tax refund stores across the city, permits cross-border shoppers to clear customs without opening sealed shopping bags.

The number of tax refund stores in Shenzhen has exceeded 2,000 so far.

Shenzhen Customs sees higher efficiency in processing departure tax refund claims due to AI application

China will raise its retail prices of gasoline and diesel from Tuesday, following a sharp rise in international oil prices, the country's top economic planner said on Monday.

Gasoline and diesel prices will increase by 695 yuan (about 100.5 U.S. dollars) and 670 yuan per tonne, respectively, according to a statement released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The NDRC's price monitoring center said that developments in the Middle East will be the key factor influencing global oil price trends in the period ahead.

China's three biggest oil companies -- the China National Petroleum Corporation, the China Petrochemical Corporation, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation -- and other refineries have been directed to maintain production and facilitate transportation to ensure stable supplies.

Relevant departments in various regions should intensify their market supervision and inspection efforts. They should implement strict measures to crack down on activities that violate national pricing policies to ensure market order, the NDRC said.

China to raise gasoline, diesel retail prices