A Japanese tourist experiences tax refund in Shanghai, Feb. 28, 2019. (File photo/China News Service)
(ECNS) - China's three central government departments have released new measures to further reform the country's value-added tax (VAT), including the departure tax-refund scheme.
The measures released by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation, and the General Administration of Customs, will take effect on April 1.
The refund rate will be changed to 11 percent of the invoice value for goods that currently qualify for the 13 percent rate, and eight percent for goods that currently qualify for the nine percent rate.
China has in place a departure tax refund scheme, which means inbound foreign shoppers can receive a VAT refund on items purchased at tax-refund shops when leaving the country.
