China seeks to tap duty-free shopping potential, adds 21 urban shops amid tourism surge
China will lift the number of urban duty-free shops to 27 as part of the latest move to improve consumption
China will make duty-free purchases more accessible in most major cities by adding 21 downtown shops, including in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, to boost spending amid an inbound tourism surge.
Eight new shops would be built, while 13 special foreign exchange goods duty-free shops – which only serve returning Chinese travellers – would be upgraded, the Ministry of Finance said in a joint statement with four other departments on Tuesday.
The changes will bring the total number of urban duty- free shops to 27 after adding to six existing locations in Beijing and coastal cities.
According to the guidelines, urban duty-free stores would primarily serve travellers who are set to depart China within the next 60 days, including Chinese nationals.
Shoppers must collect their purchases at designated pickup points located within the outbound customs areas at airports or ports before leaving the country.