Beijing has launched a tax refund programme for foreign tourists, including those from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
As long as the visit to the Chinese capital does not exceed 183 days, visitors will be eligible for a nine per cent rebate on purchases made at select stores in Beijing.
Currently, a total of 160 shopping malls and stores have taken part in the programme, with more to be added progressively. The minimum purchase amount to be eligible for the tax refund is RMB500 (US$79) at any one store in a single day.
"So far, we have received 491 refund applications from tourists who bought nearly RMB6 million of goods in Beijing," said Chen Bin, an official from the Beijing Municipal Office of the State Administration of Taxation.
"My office has approved 251 applications and returned RMB267,000 to buyers."
As reported by China Daily, He Zhigang, general manager of Air China’s marketing department revealed that the Star Alliance member will soon begin showing an introductory video about the tax refund programme on more than 18,000 domestic and international services.
"We estimate millions of foreign tourists to Beijing will be exposed to the video each month as we are the country's biggest carrier of inbound tourists," said He.
"Moreover, we will show the video in 19 languages on our websites and place promotional posters and distribute brochures at our ticket offices in more than 60 overseas cities."
For more information, visit airchina.com
Clement Huang
