Fujian provincial authorities recently announced that its tax refund policy on purchases made by overseas visitors came into effect on Jan 1, 2016, with approval from China's Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs and State Administration of Taxation.

The policy stipulates that tourists from overseas, as well as those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who stay on the Chinese mainland for no more than 183 days, will be eligible for an 11 percent rebate on consumer goods bought at designated stores.

The Pingtan Straits High-speed Passenger Terminal is one of the first five ports that are allowed to offer tax refunds to overseas buyers in Fujian. Local authorities said that the terminal has finished the installation and debugging of tax rebate facilities and is ready for operation.

Two stores in Pingtan have implemented the policy: the Taiyuan branch of Guan Supermarket and Haoxiang Supermarket on Jiuyiliu Rd, according to the local tax bureau.

The tax authority explained that the policy is expected to stimulate the development of the country's inbound tourism and retail industry, including Pingtan's, and to help the county become a tourism destination with global influence.