Episode Details

Fueled by China's visa-free policies for visitors from more than 50 countries and the coordinated growth of cultural tourism and business exhibitions, top-tier Chinese cities have reported significant increases in the total amount of tax refunded to foreign travelers so far this year, according to Customs data.

海关数据显示，受惠于中国对50多个国家旅客实施免签政策，以及文化旅游和商务展览业协同发展的带动，今年以来，中国主要城市向境外旅客办理的离境退税总额大幅增长。

For example, Customs authorities at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, an aviation hub in South China's Guangdong province, verified over 4,600 departure tax refund applications from overseas travelers in the first four months of 2025, with the total value of these applications reaching 104 million yuan ($14.46 million) and the refunded tax amount exceeding 13 million yuan—up 195 percent, 149 percent and 150 percent year-on-year, respectively.

例如，2025年前四个月，广州白云国际机场海关共审核境外旅客离境退税申请4600余份，总金额达1.04亿元人民币（约合1446万美元），退税金额逾1300万元人民币，同比分别增长195%、149%和150%。

"I had a fantastic time and bought many things as well, including a new smartphone and some kitchen appliances," said Jao Shu-Min, a traveler from Australia, while going through the departure tax refund process at the declaration counter of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, information provided by Guangzhou Customs showed.

广州海关提供的信息显示，来自澳大利亚的旅客饶淑敏（音译）在广州白云国际机场申报柜台办理离境退税时表示：“我玩得很开心，还买了很多东西，包括一部新的智能手机和一些厨房用具。”

Her tax refund application listed the names, unit prices and tax amounts of the purchased items, with a refund rate of 11 percent.

她的退税申请单上列出了所购商品的品名、单价和税额，退税率为11%。

"In the past, I was always worried that visa procedures might delay my travel plans," said Chloe Elizabeth, a traveler from the United Kingdom, who received a tax refund of 2,600 yuan at the declaration counter of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in early May.

来自英国的旅客克洛伊·伊丽莎白表示：“以前，我总是担心签证手续会耽误我的旅行计划。”5月初，她在广州白云国际机场申报柜台办理了2600元人民币的退税。

"China's visa-free transit policy saved us time and prompted my spontaneous decision to visit. Overall, the experience of sightseeing and shopping has been excellent," she said.

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