Number of overseas travelers claiming departure tax refunds up 366%, 'China Haul' goes viral

In the first half of 2026, the number of overseas travelers processing departure tax refunds rose 366% year on year, and sales of tax-refund goods and tax refund amounts rose 69% year on year. In October 2026, a 'China Haul' (Chinese shopping unboxing) trend emerged on overseas social media; travelers to China, after returning home, posted tech products, guochao apparel, beauty products and traditional Chinese medicine wellness items purchased in China, and the related videos received a large number of likes. Experts noted that the communication logic has shifted from companies actively promoting overseas to overseas consumers discovering on their own, forming a closed loop of 'experience—purchase—share—repurchase.' Subsequent reports said overseas bloggers, after returning home, posted suitcases filled with digital products and trendy cultural and creative toys, and foreign tourists made lists before traveling to cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to shop. During the National Day holiday from October 1 to 7, Beijing Capital Airport Customs processed 3,428 departure tax refund applications, up 275.47% year on year, and Shanghai Customs completed 11,000 departure tax refund verifications, up 1.6-fold year on year. The reports said inbound tourists' consumption has shifted from tea and silk to Chinese technology, design and lifestyle, and shopping is rising from an ancillary part to a main motivation.