Tax policy to promote Hainan's retail market
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China's Hainan island is increasingly becoming known as the 'Hawaii of the Orient' for its beaches and sun. And now, there's one more advantage attracting foreign visitors -- duty-free shopping.
China's Ministry of Finance announced foreign tourists will be able to have their sales tax returned from January 1st, 2011. The government has been taking measures to boost the country's domestic consumption in a bid to transform the island's economy to a more consumer-driven one. The latest move is seen as a boost to further consumption, and turn Hainan into an 'international tourism hub.'
According to statistics, over 480 thousand visitors travelled to Hainan during the first three quarters of this year, bringing tourism income to 240 million US dollars. |
Zheng Jianxin, Deputy Department Director of Ministry of Finance said 'The category of the rebate tax will be value added tax, we learned that from other countries. And the rebate scheme will be based on 11 percent.'
The rebate tax will be available for tourists from abroad and those from the Hong Kong and Macao regions who have resided inside China for less than 183 consecutive days. The tax rebate scheme will be available for purchases starting at 800 yuan.
Lv Yong, Deputy Director of Hainan Provincial Finance Bureau said 'In well-developed tourism destinations, shopping accounts for about 40 percent of all tourism income... but Hainan island shopping only accounts for around 20 percent. Therefore, with the help of the preferential tax policies, we hope to further promote Hainan's retail market.'
According to statistics, over 480 thousand visitors travelled to Hainan during the first three quarters of this year, bringing tourism income to 240 million US dollars.
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