Overseas visitors shopping in Ningbo can now enjoy a smoother tax refund process, with paperless applications, simplified customs checks, and more flexible refund options available at participating stores.

At Ningbo Lishe International Airport, travelers can use a digital tax refund service code to submit their applications for customs verification, rather than relying entirely on paper documents.

These changes follow a series of nationwide measures introduced this year to make departure tax refunds more convenient. Since July 1, customs authorities have conducted random physical inspections for refund applications involving purchases below 10,000 yuan ($1,494), while applications worth 10,000 yuan or more remain subject to individual checks.

Ningbo has also introduced a pilot program at participating stores in shopping destinations including Heyi Avenue, International Shopping Center, Kugou Shopping Mall, and Ningbo Hankyu. Under the voluntary program, eligible purchases are packed in sealed bags linked to individual refund applications, helping streamline customs inspections.

Shoppers at participating "instant refund" stores can receive an advance refund at the point of purchase, subject to credit card pre-authorization and other requirements. Since Sept 1, eligible travelers have been able to complete the process at designated departure ports across China, without returning to the city where they shopped.

For visitors flying out of Ningbo, the customs verification counter is located inside Gate 27 on the departures level of Terminal 2 at Ningbo Lishe International Airport. Travelers should complete verification before check-in and security screening, then visit the tax refund counter in the international departures area.

Visitors can also locate designated tax refund stores through the "Tax Refund Map" on the official Ningbo Taxation WeChat account.