Shanghai's first hotel-based tax refund counter opens
Shanghai's first hotel-based tax refund counter, offering the "refund-upon-purchase" service, opened on Nov 5 at the Grand Central Hotel Shanghai on Jiujiang Road in Huangpu district.
Prime Location and Rising International Guests
Situated near Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, People's Square, and the Bund, and connected by metro lines 1, 2, and 8, the hotel enjoys a prime location that makes it a popular choice among visitors to the city.
With the continued rollout of China's visa-free policies, the share of international guests has grown significantly.
South Korean visitors now make up the largest group, followed by tourists from Singapore, the Philippines, and other parts of Asia. Visitors from Germany, France, Italy, and other European countries also frequent the hotel. Since China extended visa-free entry to Russian nationals, the number of Russian guests has steadily increased.
Quick and Easy Refunds in Just 5 Minutes
The hotel's high proportion of overseas guests and proximity to major shopping areas made it an ideal location for Shanghai's first hotel-based refund point.
The refund cases handled so far came from visitors from Singapore, the Philippines, France, and other countries, covering purchases of clothing, shoes, toys, and accessories.
With the new service, tourists can complete refund procedures in as little as five minutes at the hotel after obtaining a Tax Refund Application Form for Overseas Visitors from any participating store in the city.
They then only need to present their receipts and purchases for a brief customs inspection at the airport.
Thanks to the counter's 24-hour service, even those catching early morning flights can shop late and finalize their refund at the hotel before departure.
Expanding Tax Refund Coverage in Shanghai
Since April 27, the minimum purchase amount eligible for a refund has been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, broadening the scope to include more everyday items such as clothing, footwear, and toys.
Industry insiders say that with new refund policies and more counters being rolled out, Shanghai's appeal as a travel and shopping destination will continue to grow.
Current Tax Refund Counters in Shanghai
(Accepting refund claims from all participating stores citywide)
The Central Shopping Mall
Address: No 139 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
Contact: 021-6330-9323
Shanghai No 1 Yaohan Mall
Address: No 501 Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area
Contact: 021-2055-9142
Bank of China – Shanghai Tower Sub-branch
Address: Room B1-06, No 501 Middle Yincheng Road, Pudong New Area
Contact: 021-5047-0232
Bank of China – Shanghai Branch
Address: No 23 East Zhongshan Road Number One, Huangpu district
Contact: 021-6329-1979
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
Address: No 505 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu district
Contact: 021-5353-8888
Zhangyuan
Address: No 258 North Maoming Road, Jing'an district
Contact: 021-5238-6088
Bank of China – Third Sub-branch on West Nanjing Road
Address: No 1377 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an district
Contact: 021-5298-0106
CIIE Tax Refund Counter No 1
Address: NECC Store, National Exhibition and Convention Center, No 333 Songze Avenue, Qingpu district
Temporary counter, to be relocated to a nearby Bank of China outlet in the future
Contact: 021-6972-0762
CIIE Tax Refund Counter No 2
Address: Hall 5.2, National Exhibition and Convention Center, No 333 Songze Avenue, Qingpu district
Temporary counter, to be relocated to a nearby Bank of China outlet in the future
Contact: 021-6972-0762
Bank of China – SJTU Xuhui Campus Sub-branch
Address: No 45 West Guangyuan Road, Xuhui district
Contact: 021-6448-4460
Sources: Shanghai Observer, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai Municipal Tax Service of the State Taxation Administration
