Jilin streamlines tax refund services to boost inbound consumption

 

(ECNS) -- Jilin Province in northeast China has streamlined departure tax refund services, with transactions surging 277 percent year on year and refund volume up 170%, the provincial commerce department said.

The province now has more than 81 tax-free shops. A multilingual electronic consumption map and a WeChat mini program provide information on refunds.

New measures include random inspections for refunds under 10,000 yuan ($1,480), recognition of instant refunds across regions, and extending the claim period to 28 days. Tourists can also verify purchases made in other provinces at Jilin ports.

From January to July this year, 1.2457 million trips were recorded at Jilin’s ports, a year-on-year increase of 18.8%.

Cultural and tourism data shows that Jilin received 19.1% more inbound tourists in the first half of the year, and total spending by inbound tourists jumped 41% year-on-year.

(By Helen Mo & Xu Wenda)