Shanghai Processes 201,000 Tax Refund Forms in January-May

Foreign tourists in China are increasingly using tax refund counters for Chinese-made smart electronics and other higher-value goods. Shanghai Customs processed 201,000 departure tax refund verification forms between January and May 2026, while Beijing and Nanjing also reported sharp year-on-year growth.

The shift shows up in the shopping baskets. Chinese-made drones, smartphones, action cameras and designer toys are replacing tea, porcelain and panda-themed gifts on many foreign tourists' lists, according to customs data and officials.

Zhang Qian at Nanjing Lukou

Nanjing Lukou International Airport verified 1,171 departure tax refund applications in the first five months of 2026, covering 26.67 million yuan in tax-refundable goods. That was up 173.6 percent year-on-year, while the value of the goods rose 32.42 percent year-on-year.

Zhang Qian, a customs official at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, said: "Chinese-made smart electronic products and trendy domestic cultural and creative goods have become increasingly popular among foreign travelers, attracting growing interest with their quality, innovation and distinctive Chinese appeal."

Those purchases point to a narrower but more valuable shopping pattern. Foreign tourists are increasingly seeking innovative products with strong value for money, advanced features and models often unavailable abroad.

Shanghai Customs and Beijing Customs

Shanghai Customs processed 201,000 departure tax refund verification forms between January and May 2026, with refund-eligible purchases totaling 1.92 billion yuan. The forms were up 300 percent year-on-year, and the purchase value rose 62 percent year-on-year.

Beijing Customs verified 87,906 departure tax refund applications during the first five months of 2026, involving 758 million yuan in refund-eligible purchases. Those applications were up 612.42 percent year-on-year, and the purchase value rose 53.13 percent year-on-year.

Hong Yang, a customs official at Ningbo Customs' airport branch, said: "Fashion apparel, beauty products and premium lifestyle goods are also gaining traction among foreign travelers departing from Ningbo."

May 2026 Program

The Ministry of Commerce and several other government departments unveiled a new departure tax refund program in May 2026. Shanghai's municipal government also rolled out a new program with upgraded end-to-end digital tax refund services and improved digital verification services at ports of departure.

That policy work matches the buying shift already showing up in the numbers. For travelers leaving China, the fast-growing refund lines now center less on souvenirs and more on products that are pricier, more technical and more distinctly Chinese-made.