Xiamen launches streamlined tax refund services

Internet influencer Edison Ang, also known as "Malaysian Cousin", experienced a seamless tax refund process at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian Province, on January 5th. Customs officers scanned the QR code on the sealed bag to permit the tax refund upon departure and verified the information before allowing the tax-refunded goods to pass through without opening the package. This marked the official implementation of Fujian's first "One Form, One Bag, One Code" convenient tax refund service for passengers upon departure in Xiamen.

The streamlined model, through a one-to-one correspondence mechanism involving "one tax refund application form, one sealed packaging bag, and one tax refund barcode", simplifies the shopping tax refund, verification, and customs clearance process for international tourists. It is an innovative initiative by Xiamen to develop itself into an international consumption hub. The model is primarily being piloted in the Zhongshan Road commercial area.
After purchasing their tax-refund-eligible goods at pilot stores, international tourists receive their items in a standard sealed bag, with a tax refund application barcode as the primary identification. Upon departure, customs officers only need to check the integrity of the sealed bag and scan the code to quickly verify and release the goods. This replaces the traditional practice of opening and inspecting each item individually, significantly reducing the time spent on tax refund verification and allowing tourists to enjoy a "no-unpacking, fast clearance" experience.