A new tax refund policy took effect on July 1, significantly streamlining the process for international travelers. Under the new rules, customs inspections for refund applications under 10,000 yuan ($1,477.87) are now conducted on a random sampling basis, rather than requiring every item to be physically checked. This has greatly reduced waiting times at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport.

"The process was very fast. No need to open suitcases — just a passport and a boarding pass," said a traveler from South Korea, who recently completed her tax refund in Qingdao.

Wei Shan, a customs official at Qingdao airport, explained that most travelers with small purchases can now complete refunds quickly and "arrive and leave" without delays.

The new policy also introduces a paperless process for all tax refund procedures. Customs can now access refund applications and invoices electronically, meaning travelers no longer need to provide physical documents. Additionally, the deadline for the "instant refund" service has been extended to 28 days nationwide, allowing more flexibility for travelers who make purchases in different cities.

In the first half of this year, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport Customs processed 2,411 tax refund applications, with a total refund amount of more than 4.76 million yuan — 5.7-fold and 50.4 percent increases, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Customs officials have set up multilingual signs and 24-hour consultation services at the departure hall to assist travelers and airlines with the new procedures.

From paperless processing to instant refunds, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport is setting a new standard for hassle-free shopping — making the city even more welcoming to travelers from around the world.

The new tax refund policy makes shopping in Qingdao smoother and faster for international travelers. [Photo by Sun Yaoyao/qtvtoday]