Guangxi launches multilingual tax refund guide, e-map for overseas visitors

Large numbers of businesspeople from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and overseas travelers are gathering in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo.

To make shopping and tax refunds easier for these visitors and others, Guangxi's Department of Commerce and the region's tax service have issued a departure tax refund guide in eight languages, which include Chinese, English, Cambodian, Indonesian, Lao, Burmese, Thai and Vietnamese, along with an e-map of departure tax refund consumption.

An exhibitor sells Malaysian durian ice cream at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

It explains eligibility, refund currencies, tax calculation and paperless refund steps, as well as the procedures, required documents and valid identity documents for both instant and regular tax refunds. Copies are available at tax refund stores, shopping areas, scenic spots, hotels catering to foreign guests, airports and border ports.

The Chinese-English e-map of departure tax refund consumption provides navigation to the nearest of the region's more than 400 tax refund stores. Users can also check multilingual tax refund policies, travel routes, local cuisine and accommodation tips.

To qualify, travelers must spend at least 200 yuan (about $29.86) at the same tax refund store on the same day, and the goods must be unused. They must leave China within 90 days of purchase, carrying the goods in their hand luggage or checked baggage.

Guangxi ports handling departure tax refund business include Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and Dongxing port in Fangchenggang city.

Travelers can choose instant tax refunds, which are paid at the store, with verification completed at any departure port nationwide within 28 days of the application form being issued. Under the paperless option, they scan a QR code to generate a service code, submit documents online and complete customs verification.

Starting Sept. 1, stores issuing instant refund forms can upload overseas travelers' valid identity documents, allowing the tax refund agency at the place of purchase to review the application materials online. The agency at the departure port then verifies travelers' identity information and finalizes the refund in accordance with current regulations, making instant refunds available nationwide.

The two new services are designed to clear information and process bottlenecks for overseas visitors, allowing the ASEAN businesspeople and travelers gathering in Guangxi for the expo to shop and claim refunds with greater ease.