Shanghai to offer duty-free shopping

Shanghai is expected to become the first Chinese mainland city to introduce duty-free shopping in the near future.

The municipal finance bureau said at a regular meeting this week that it has started preparation work on selecting suitable tax refund agencies and designated shops.

The local finance authority is holding a consultation process on a possible implementation period, which people might be eligible to use the stores, the likely tax refunds to be offered, and which items might be applicable, before seeking the central government approval to launch the system.