CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Six departure tax refund shops were added in Chongqing this year and the number of VAT-refund-qualified shops in Chongqing has reached 74, which will further promote the development of tourism and consumption in Chongqing, according to the Chongqing Tax Bureau.

The six new VAT-refund-qualified shops include the Chongqing Juxian Street Store of Louis Vuitton (China), the Chongqing Beibin Road Store of Louis Vuitton, the Chongqing Store of Jingdong Super Experience Store, the Chongqing (the first) Branch of Loro Piana Shanghai, the Fuling New Century Store of Chongqing Department Store, and the Chongqing (the second) Branch of Balenciaga Fashion Shanghai.

Departure tax refund is a policy under which value-added tax ("VAT") can be refunded for personal articles of an overseas tourist that are purchased at a VAT-refund-qualified store and are eligible for tax refund at the departure port, said Lan Tingyi, Director of Export Tax Refund Service and Administration Bureau of Chongqing Taxation Bureau.

Since the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport accelerated the resumption of international passenger flights, the number of inbound and outbound trips has increased dramatically and exceeded 260,000. With the rapid recovery of inbound tourism, Chongqing saw an increase in departure tax refunds.

Overseas tourists who purchase goods in Chongqing VAT-refund-qualified shops may, in accordance with the relevant provisions, apply for a value-added tax refund at the rate of 11%. The eligible tourists only need to apply for the tax refund when shopping in the departure tax refund stores, and then may go through the tax refund procedure at the designated tax refund counter in the isolation area at the departure port of the T3 building of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport with the purchased goods, personal certificates and the relevant tax refund materials.

Please note that the methods of tax refund may vary due to the difference in the amount of tax refund applied. If the amount of tax refund exceeds CNY10,000, the tax refund will be made through bank transfer; if the amount of tax refund does not exceed CNY10,000, tourists can choose a cash refund or bank transfer. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)