Beijing-Tianjin Tax-refund Interconnection Launched

On June 17th, 2016, the launching ceremony of Beijing-Tianjin Tax-refund Interconnection was conducted at Beijing Capital Airport. Many leaders attended this ceremony including Vice Director Lu Peijun of China General Administration of Customs, Vice Director Wang Kang of State Administration of Taxation, Vice Mayor Cheng Hong of Beijing, Vice Mayor Zhao Haishan of Tianjin, Vice Secretary General XuZhijun of Beijing, and Vice Secretary General Zhang Jiahua of Tianjin.

Beijing has implemented the tax-refund policy for foreign tourists since July 2015. This is a step to bring the shopping services in China on part with international standards. The relevant departments of Beijing have improved the tax-refund service and optimized the tax-refund procedure and strengthened promotion of the policy since then. This policy plays an important role on advancing inbound tourism shopping and opening up of the service industry.

As of June 15th 2016, 407shops in Beijing have implemented the tax-refund policy. The shops cover all of the important shopping sites in the 16 districts. The sales of tax-refund products reached RMB 76.8 million.

The relevant departments of Beijing and Tianjin worked diligently during the beginning stages and have finally completed integrationof the tax-refund information systems. This is the first time an integrated Tax-refund system was established in China. If a foreign tourist shops in Tianjin, he can get tax-refund at Beijing Capital Airport when they depart China. On the morning of June 17th, an Italian tourist conducted this first refund. He shopped in Tianjin, then passed the check-inprocedure at Beijing Capital Airport and successfully received the tax-refund.

The realization of Beijing-Tianjin integrated tax-refund policy means that the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei has been making good progress.

Officials of State Administration of Taxation investigated on the implementation of the tax-refund policy in Beijing and gave positive feedback.