China Haul Trend Draws Overseas Shoppers
Foreign visitors are increasingly shopping beyond China's major cities, drawn by tax refunds, visa-free entry, and easier payments.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Shopping — General
Live Poll
Would you plan a shopping trip to China if visa-free travel were easier?
Overseas social media's "China Haul" trend reflects rising interest in shopping in China, with foreign visitors now buying in smaller cities and towns as well as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Authorities say they will keep improving the shopping experience for visitors.
Why it matters
The trend points to the effect of China's opening-up policies and its traditional culture on consumer demand among international visitors. For travelers planning shopping trips, the expanded tax refund and payment options make buying in China easier.
Foreign arrivals reached 22.91 million in the first half of 2026, up 20.4 percent year on year, with visa-free entries rising 30.6 percent to 17.82 million. Departure tax refund sales rose about 60 percent year on year from January to August 2026, though the source does not isolate how much of that growth is tied to the China Haul trend.
The players
Ministry of Commerce
China's ministry responsible for trade and commerce policy, which said it will keep improving the shopping experience for visitors and expanding tax refund coverage.
The details
Shopping by foreign visitors now extends beyond Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to smaller cities and towns. Policy changes behind the trend include a lower spending threshold for tax refunds, which fell from 500 yuan to 200 yuan, and a higher maximum cash refund, which rose from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan.
Timeline
2015: Departure tax refund policy introduced
Aug. 20, 2026: 240-hour visa-free transit policy expanded to cover 57 countries
January to September 2026: Express delivery handled 151.3 billion parcels, up 4.3 percent year on year
Oct. 16, 2026: Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented on the China Haul trend
Oct. 22, 2026: State Council Information Office held a press conference on the trend
Shopping Trend Context
The trend builds on the departure tax refund policy introduced in 2015, which has since expanded sharply, with sales nearly doubling in 2025 and rising about 60 percent through August 2026. China now has more than 18,000 tax refund stores, four times the number at the end of 2024, reflecting how the 2015 policy has grown into a major retail channel.
Travelers planning to shop in China can now use overseas bank cards linked to Chinese mobile payment platforms, and the tax refund threshold is lower at 200 yuan per transaction. The maximum cash tax refund has also doubled to 20,000 yuan, which may affect how much shoppers choose to spend.
The takeaway
Foreign shoppers are finding it easier to buy in China as tax refunds, visa-free entry and payment options expand. Those planning a trip may find smaller cities and towns worth exploring beyond the major commercial hubs.
Further reading
For more on how shoppers are approaching purchases abroad, see our Shopping — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by People's Daily, China.
Live Poll
Would you plan a shopping trip to China if visa-free travel were easier?
