Instant tax refund&tech treasures: HZ's new era of travel awaits

On May 19th, China’s Tourism Day, Hangzhou released new measures for its 2025 “Instant Tax Refund” policy and launched the groundbreaking “Hangzhou New Special Products” at Hangzhou Tower. This event showcased how technology and culture merge to redefine travel!

Key Highlights of the Event
"Hangzhou Tech Treasures”: Where Sci-Fi Meets Reality
Easleep AI Sleep Tech: Brain-computer interface devices to improve sleep.
GoGo Exoskeletons: Lightweight robots assist hiking and daily movement.
Rokid AR Lite: Dive into a 300-inch virtual screen with Rokid AR Glasses.
Tom Cat Emotional AI Companions: Meet Tom Cat, a robot offering “emotional support” through AI.

The event also detailed the “Instant Tax Refund” policy for departure tax refund.

What is Departure Tax Refund “Instant Tax Refund” policy?
The Departure Tax Refund “Instant Tax Refund” is a facilitation measure, which allows overseas travelers purchasing tax-refund items at designated “Instant Tax Refund” stores in regions where the departure tax refund policy is implemented to sign an agreement and complete a credit card pre-authorization, after which they may immediately claim a prepayment in RMB equivalent to the VAT refund amount.

Who can apply?

Foreigners and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan who have resided continuously in Chinese mainland for no more than 183 consecutive days.

Conditions
“Instant Tax Refund”when Shopping at Pilot Stores
1. Shopping and application are made at pilot stores implementing the “Instant Tax Refund” policy for tax refund upon departure in Hangzhou.
2. Purchase Amount: The total amount of tax-refundable goods purchased by the same overseas tourist on the same day at the same pilot store fpr tax refund upon departure should reach at least 200 CNY and should no more than 222,000 CNY.
3. Departure: The departure date is within 90 days from the purchase date of tax-refundable goods.The purchased goods must be carried by the overseas tourist himself (herself) when departing from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.
4. The tax-refundable goods have not yet been opened or used.
5. A credit card pre-authorization guaranteed and a commitment to leave within 25 days after the purchase are required.
Refund Method

Cash (CNY): Get refund immediately.

Alipay: By installing the Alipay International App,travelers do not need to provide bank card information, and the tax refund will be paid directly to their Alipay account balance.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step1: The store issues a recepit and provide an advance payment
Look for “Instant Tax Refund” signs in stores. Hangzhou has 162 tax-free shops, 14 of which offer “Instant Tax Refund”.
The store processes a credit car pre-authorization, issues the “Aplication Form for Tax Refunds on Departure for Overseas Travelers” and pays the advance payment on the spot.

Credit card pre-authorization

The credit card pre-authorization refers to the process where a store or agency pays the advance money to overseas travelers who are eligible for "Instant Tax Refund”upon departure, while freezing the corresponding amount in their credit cards.
Step2: Customs to conduct verification
Overseas travelers who are eligible for the "Instant Tax Refund” for departure tax refund must present the tax refund items, the “Application Form for Departure Tax Refund for Overseas Travelers” and the invoice for the purchase of the tax-free items and vaild personal identification documents to declare to customs and undergo customs verification.
Step3: Review by the tax refund agency
Overseas travelers should submit their valid identification documents such as passports,customs verification stamped “Application Form for Departure Tax Refund for Overseas Travelers” and the sales invoice for the tax refund items to the tax refund agency located in the departure port’s isolation area.The tax refund agency will review the relevant materials and information
If the traveler meets the terms of the agreement by departing within the promised time frame at the designed port and complies with the current departure tax refund policy, the tax refund agency will release the credit card pre-authorization and complete the tax refund process.
Source: Hangzhoufeel