Dear international friends in Shaanxi, good news!

According to the latest policy jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and other departments, the "Buy Now, Refund Now" departure tax refund service will be significantly upgraded starting from July 1, 2026, and rolled out at an accelerated pace nationwide.

This means you can now enjoy a faster and more flexible tax refund experience while shopping in Xi'an.

What is "Buy Now, Refund Now"?

In essence, this policy moves the refund process forward—from the departure port to the point of sale.

At stores displaying the "Tax Free" or "Departure Tax Refund" logo, you can present your passport at the checkout counter and receive your refund immediately in cash or via Alipay (a credit card pre‑authorization will be taken as a security guarantee).

This saves you the trouble of queuing at the airport customs desk.

What's more, the upgraded policy now supports cross-provincial refunds and extends the refund validity period to 28 days, giving you greater flexibility in planning your itinerary.

Where to Process in Xi'an?

Dozens of shopping malls in Xi'an are currently registered as "Tax Refund Stores." You can find dedicated refund counters at the following landmark shopping destinations:

Xi'an SKP (Beilin District, North Chang'an Road No. 261): Home to a wide range of top international brands, it features a smooth and efficient refund process—a top choice in the city.

Wangfujing Department Store (CityOn Xi'an Mall) (Weiyang District, Fengcheng 7th Road): A popular choice for expat families living in northern Xi'an.

Chungtai International (High-tech Zone) (High-tech Zone, Keji Road No. 33): A prime refund location in the heart of the high-tech district.

How to Process? (Three Steps)

The process is very straightforward, involving just three steps:

Step 1: Store Issues Form + Get Your Refund On‑the‑Spot

After spending over 500 RMB at a tax‑refund store displaying the "Buy Now, Refund Now" logo, present your foreign passport at checkout.

The cashier will ask you to sign an agreement and complete a credit card pre‑authorization as a security measure, then hand you the refund in cash or via Alipay immediately — that's the biggest convenience of "Buy Now, Refund Now"!

The cashier will also issue the Application Form for Departure Tax Refund. Please double‑check your passport number and item details.

Step 2: Customs Verification

At Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, allow extra time.

Present your passport, refund application form, and the physical purchased goods (keep them in your carry‑on luggage for inspection) to Customs.

Under the new rules effective July 1, applications under 10,000 RMB are subject to random inspection instead of being individually inspected.

Step 3: Pre‑authorization Release

Once Customs verifies and approves, the refund agency will automatically release your credit card pre‑authorization, and the refund process is officially completed.

The refund you received at the store is now your final refund — that's it!

Friendly Reminder: If you fail to depart within the required timeframe for any reason, the refund agency will deduct the prepaid amount via your credit card pre‑authorization.

Please confirm your travel plans accordingly.

Important Notes

Time Limit: You must depart China within 90 days of the invoice date to qualify.

Eligible Goods: Most goods qualify, but consumables like food and drinks usually do not.

When in doubt, ask the staff before paying: "Does this item qualify for tax refund?"

Keep Items Intact: Try to keep the packaging intact before departure, as Customs may conduct random checks.

Shaanxi Foreigners Service Platform reminds you: With the summer shopping season approaching, don't forget to enjoy this new benefit!

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