Foreign visitors fall in love with shopping in Xiamen. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

A new buzzword, "China Haul", has recently gained traction on overseas social media. The term refers to videos in which creators unbox and showcase products purchased in China.

Foreign tourists are arriving with empty suitcases and leaving with them packed full of Chinese-made goods, and their shopping lists just keep getting longer. Xiamen is emerging as a popular destination for overseas visitors looking to travel and shop.

Smart tax refunds, easy shopping

"It's so convenient. Xiamen's tax refund experience really stood out. A single machine lets you process tax refunds on purchases from multiple stores at once — it's as quick and easy as withdrawing cash from an ATM," said a foreign tourist after using the self-service tax refund system.

With smart self-service machines, visitors can now process tax refunds on purchases from multiple stores through a centralized, one-stop system, speeding up the process and making shopping more convenient for overseas visitors.

One-stop shopping, hassle-free refunds

Xiamen's downtown duty-free store has introduced a business model that combines duty-free and duty-paid shopping with tax refund services, offering imported and domestic products through both online and offline channels.

On the duty-free side, the store brings together a wide range of internationally renowned brands and allows Chinese and foreign travelers scheduled to depart from Xiamen Airport within 60 days to shop downtown and collect their purchases at the airport before departure.

On the duty-paid side, the store offers a range of popular Chinese brands, local souvenirs, and wines and spirits. Overseas visitors who spend at least 200 yuan ($29.84) on eligible goods can claim a tax refund when departing.

The store has adopted a new tax refund model featuring "one receipt, one package, one code." Sealed purchases can pass through customs unopened, with the code scanned for clearance. Travelers can also claim refunds at other departure points within 28 days.

Xiamen's downtown duty-free store brings together a wide range of internationally renowned brands. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

New duty-free shops to welcome international travelers

This year, new inbound duty-free shops are being established at 41 ports across China, including Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport, Xiamen Wutong Passenger Wharf, and Xiamen International Cruise Center, ready to welcome travelers from around the world.