Beijing has become the first city in China to introduce an online departure tax refund service. Overseas tourists can now purchase products marked with a dedicated "Departure Tax Refund" (离境退税) label on the JD.com app and obtain digital refund application forms. Additionally, the city has opened its first batch of centralized hotel-based departure tax refund service outlets.

This new online service was jointly developed by the Beijing Municipal Tax Service and the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau in collaboration with JD.com, and is accessible via the JD.com app. Unlike traditional departure tax refund services, this online service digitizes the entire refund process, freeing overseas travelers from time and location constraints. Once in the Chinese mainland, they can access this service anytime and anywhere via the English or Chinese version of the JD.com app.

To use the service, an overseas traveler can select products bearing the dedicated "Departure Tax Refund" label on the app and, at checkout, input required information such as their travel document details and entry/exit dates. The system then automatically generates an electronic departure tax refund application form and a receipt (fapiao).

Once the purchased items have been delivered, the traveler can either go to a centralized departure tax refund service outlet or take the items to the airport for departure to apply for the refund. This streamlined system has made shopping easier for overseas travelers, shortening the times required for delivery and refunding.

JD.com currently offers tax-refundable items of nearly 300 sub-categories across six categories, including mobile communication devices, digital products, computers and office equipment, small kitchen appliances, home appliances, and personal care items. 

(Source: CRI Online)