The new policy has been implemented for one month, and Chongqing's tax-free consumption is more abundant and convenient

Ms. Liu, a citizen who is about to travel to Europe, said, "Previously, we could only rush through the airport to pick up goods, but now we can slowly pick them up at duty-free shops in the city in advance, try out digital products, experience non heritage cultural and creative industries, and complete the pick-up process within 5 minutes of departure.

The change in Ms. Liu's consumption experience is due to the convenience measure of "city shopping+airport pickup" launched by Chongqing. With this measure, the linkage loop between the duty-free shops in the city and the exit port of Jiangbei Airport can be realized. Chinese and foreign passengers who leave the country within 60 days can try to select goods at the duty-free shops in the city with valid documents, without the need to pick up the goods on the spot. They only need to pick up the goods at the airport pickup point when leaving the country.

Since the implementation of the "Notice on Improving Duty Free Shop Policies to Support and Boost Consumption" by five national ministries and commissions at the end of October this year (hereinafter referred to as the "New Policy"), Chongqing Customs has launched full chain convenience measures such as "supporting direct entry of domestic goods into duty-free shops" and "online booking+port pickup" in response to the need for coordinated layout of "one city, three stores" duty-free shops in Chongqing, making duty-free shopping more convenient, reducing customers' errands, and further enriching consumers' choices. According to Chongqing Customs data, from January to November this year, the cumulative sales of duty-free shops in Chongqing exceeded 100 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 46.87%, and the average shopping time was compressed to within 10 minutes. ​

Consumers have a better experience, and businesses have more confidence. According to the new policy of "encouraging enterprises with qualifications for operating duty-free goods and foreign-invested enterprises approved by the State Council to participate in duty-free shop operations to increase their procurement of high-quality and distinctive domestic goods", Li Shan, the manager of Chongqing Zhongfu Duty Free Products Co., Ltd., which operates duty-free shops, said that they plan to purchase some domestic cosmetics and other trendy products, further enrich the categories and consumption scenarios of duty-free goods, and drive the continuous growth of overall sales. Domestic goods purchased and sold in duty-free shops at ports of entry and within cities are considered as exports, and can be refunded (exempted) from value-added tax and consumption tax. Our operating costs are expected to be further reduced, "said Li Shan.

In order to facilitate overseas tourists to travel and shop in Chongqing, the enterprise will also develop special APP and small programs, so that consumers can not only select goods in close proximity offline stores, but also query the price of domestic goods in duty-free stores in real time through online pre-sale apps. It is easy to unlock the China-Chic consumption experience of "high quality and beautiful price" by clicking the order. The mini program will also embed a real-time query function for tax-free quotas to avoid excessive purchases. At the same time, it will open "product consultation" and "appointment to store" services to facilitate travelers to plan their itinerary in advance, "said Li Shan.

In addition, all duty-free shops in Chongqing have comprehensively upgraded their hardware facilities to enhance customers' consumption experience: Changjiahui stores plan to be equipped with AR makeup mirrors and intelligent shopping robots in the future, allowing passengers to quickly match their desired products and reduce selection time; Jiangbei Airport Exit Entry Duty Free Shop is equipped with multilingual service personnel and translation equipment for foreign passengers, and opens UnionPay, Alipay, VISA and other full payment channels to eliminate language and payment barriers, and shorten the settlement process to 3 minutes. Anna, a tourist from France, said after completing the checkout through self-service devices, "You don't have to queue or have complicated communication. You can follow the instructions to complete the shopping, and the experience is very good. ​

Chongqing Customs will continue to deepen the reform of regulatory processes, focus on the new development needs of the duty-free industry, further optimize customs clearance facilitation measures, enhance intelligent supervision capabilities, release policy dividends, help Chongqing duty-free shops continuously enrich their product structure and improve service quality, and provide stronger customs support for Chongqing to build an international consumption center city and promote the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade. (Bao Yun/Text)