The tax refund service window at Ningbo Lishe International Airport. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhejiang province has launched a province-wide instant tax refund service for departing foreign travelers — with the first one recently handled in Ningbo.

On July 20, a tourist from Hong Kong surnamed Chan bought luxury apparel in Hangzhou. Her spending met the threshold for departure tax refunds and with staff assistance, she completed the instant refund process, receiving 11,011 yuan ($1,535) on the spot.

On Aug 12, she departed from Ningbo, where the refund agency verified her information and finalized the procedure.

The instant tax refund initiative allows eligible foreign shoppers at designated stores to receive their refund immediately after signing an agreement and completing a credit card pre-authorization.

Since July 15, Zhejiang has rolled out this service across the province. It allows travelers to shop and claim refunds at any participating store, then depart from any of four international airports: Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Ningbo Lishe, Wenzhou Longwan or Zhoushan Putuoshan.

The reform removes the previous restriction requiring travelers to exit from the same location where the refund was issued, greatly boosting convenience.

The rollout reflects efforts by China's Ministry of Commerce and government departments to optimize tax refund policies and galvanize inbound spending.

By streamlining procedures and improving flexibility, Zhejiang is moving to create a more attractive shopping environment for international visitors and drive growth in its consumer market.