Bank of China has introduced the country's first full-process self-service kiosks for departure value-added tax (VAT) refunds at Shenzhen's Luohu Port and Bao'an International Airport. 

Guided by the Shenzhen Tax Service of the State Taxation Administration and the Shenzhen branch of the People's Bank of China, the rollout marks the start of a self-service era for departure VAT refunds for overseas travelers, featuring faster payouts and more options.

Independently developed and launched by BOC's Shenzhen branch, the new terminals integrate identity verification, document examination, and fund settlement into a streamlined one-stop process. A task that previously required manual handling at service counters is now reduced to a few taps on a touchscreen, effectively addressing the issue of long queues and extended waiting times during peak travel periods.

The kiosks support 13 languages and enable travelers to complete the departure VAT refund procedure in under three minutes. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The machines support a range of refund methods, including e-CNY hard wallets, domestic and international bank cards (UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Diners Club cards), and third-party payment platforms such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and AlipayHK.

These refund channels cover a broad range of domestic and international payment methods. Refunds can be issued in RMB to domestic wallets like Alipay or in the user's local currency to overseas wallets such as AlipayHK. For travelers without access to a mobile phone or internet connection, the kiosks also support refunds credited to e-CNY hard wallets, which operate independently of smartphones and networks.

As the only city in China with departure VAT refund ports covering sea, land, and air travel, Shenzhen has continued to pursue policy optimization and service upgrades in departure VAT refund services.

From account opening, foreign currency exchange, and payment tool setup upon arrival to self-service VAT refunds at the final stage of departure, BOC is building a full-chain cross-border service ecosystem. BOC aims to ensure overseas visitors enjoy a welcoming, convenient, and enjoyable experience throughout their stay.

A representative from the Shenzhen branch of BOC noted that the innovation represents both a practical measure to improve the payment and consumption experience for inbound travelers and financial support for Shenzhen's development as an international consumption center city. The service is also positioned to support major international events such as APEC, allowing visitors to experience not only the strength of Shenzhen's intelligent manufacturing but also the sophistication of the city's financial technology.