Recently, Beijing Municipal Tax Service, State Taxation Administration announced that Beijing has added two new "immediate tax refund upon purchase" pilot stores for departure tax refunds. These two stores are Beijing Youyi Shopping City Co., Ltd. (Beijing Lufthansa Center) and Beijing Capital Land Outlets Fangshan Co., Ltd. With these additions, the number of "immediate tax refund upon purchase" pilot stores in Beijing has expanded to fourteen.

[Photo via VCG]

Compared to the traditional way of applying for a tax refund at the airport upon departure, "immediate tax refund upon purchase" means that eligible inbound travelers can apply for a tax refund on-site by presenting the VAT Refund Application Form of Foreign Traveler after shopping at the pilot stores, which is very convenient and efficient, encouraging secondary consumption. It is reported that "immediate tax refund upon purchase" pilot stores are generally large-scale comprehensive shopping malls with strong influence and a variety of brands, which can better meet the needs of inbound travelers.

Previously, there were 12 pilot stores, all of which were comprehensive shopping malls, including Beijing SKP, Beijing Hualian Fashion Department Store Co., Ltd., Beijing Department Store, Beijing Scitech Premium Outlet Mall, Beijing Shuang'an Department Store, Beijing Chang'an Market, Beijing Hanguang Department Store, and Beijing Grand Pacific Mall.

(Source: Beijing Daily APP)