China's departure tax refund sales jump about 60% in first eight months

Why it matters: China offers foreign visitors a refund of value-added tax on goods bought in the country and taken out within a set period, which can make big-ticket purchases cheaper than at home. The scheme is part of a wider push to draw overseas tourists and their spending, and the "China Haul" trend of filming shopping trips has spread on social media.

Sales under China's departure tax refund scheme rose about 60% year on year in the first eight months of 2025, the Ministry of Commerce said, according to Sina. The figure covers refunds claimed by foreign visitors on purchases taken out of the country.

The scheme, known in Chinese as lishui tuishui (离境退税), lets foreign travellers reclaim value-added tax on goods bought in China and exported within a set window. Refunds are typically claimed at airports and other departure points before leaving.

The ministry linked the growth to the "China Haul" trend, in which foreign visitors film and share their shopping in China online. The trend has spread on social media as more travellers post about buying local goods during trips.

The commerce ministry figure covers the January-to-August period and compares with the same months a year earlier.