Shopping and tax refunds in China: what to buy, bargaining and quality checks, mobile payment, duty-free shops and depar...

Shopping & Tax Refund

A practical guide to shopping in China

🏬
¥500+
Refund Minimum
🧾
9%–11%
Refund Rate
💳
Online & Offline
Payment Methods
💵
Carry Cash
Shopping Options

Shopping5

Malls🏬

Malls

Top brands under one roof with comfortable environments, QR payments and tax-refund services — ideal for one-stop shopping.

Duty-Free Shops✈️

Duty-Free Shops

Airport and downtown duty-free stores offer cosmetics, liquor, tobacco and luxury goods — bring your passport.

Specialty Markets🏮

Specialty Markets

Hubs for tea, silk, crafts and more, full of local flavor — and don't forget to bargain.

Night Markets🌃

Night Markets

Snacks, handmade goods and souvenirs come alive at night — a taste of local street life.

Museum & Cultural Shops🎨

Museum & Cultural Shops

Creative souvenirs at museums and scenic areas — thoughtful gifts with cultural meaning.

Comparison

Malls Top brands under one roof with comfortable environments, QR payments and tax-refund services — ideal for one-stop shopping.
Duty-Free Shops Airport and downtown duty-free stores offer cosmetics, liquor, tobacco and luxury goods — bring your passport.
Specialty Markets Hubs for tea, silk, crafts and more, full of local flavor — and don't forget to bargain.
Night Markets Snacks, handmade goods and souvenirs come alive at night — a taste of local street life.
Museum & Cultural Shops Creative souvenirs at museums and scenic areas — thoughtful gifts with cultural meaning.

Tax Refund9%–11%

Key data

Refund Minimum ¥500+
Refund Rate 9%–11%

Refund Steps

  1. Shop & Get Receipt
    Spend ¥500+ at a tax-refund store and request the tax refund invoice
  2. Fill the Form
    Complete the overseas visitor departure tax-refund form with your passport
  3. Customs Check
    Customs verifies goods and documents at departure
  4. Collect Refund
    Receive the refund in cash or by bank card at the refund counter
Foreign visitors who spend ¥500 or more at a store marked "Tax Refund Store" can claim a refund (roughly 9%–11%) at the departure port with passport and receipts.

Payment Tips4

Key points

  • WeChat Pay / Alipay / UnionPay are the mainstream methods
  • International credit cards accepted at major malls and chains
  • Carry some cash for small shops and markets
  • Online shopping (Taobao / JD) can deliver to your hotel