China announces increase in tax exemption for mainland tourists visiting Macau and Hong Kong

Issued by China’s Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs and General Administration of Taxation, the announcement details that the tax exemption for mainland residents entering the country from Hong Kong and Macau will be raised to RMB12,000, and that when combined with the RMB3,000 (US$413) tax exemption for duty-free shops at the border control points, the tax exemption for mainland residents will be up to a maximum of RMB15,000 (US$2,065).

The measure will be implemented at six border control points, including the Gongbei Border Gate and the Zhuhai Highway of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB), with effect from 1 July. It will also be extended to all entry control points except Hengqin with effect from 1 August.

When the measure comes into effect, it means that mainland tourists can enjoy a tax exemption of up to RMB15,000 after making purchases in Macau and the duty-free shops at the ports of entry, which will further boost the spending desire of mainland tourists in Macau.

The Macao Government Tourism Office said, “This is conducive to increasing the desire of mainland visitors to visit and spend money in Macau, and injecting impetus into Macau’s tourism economy.”

Mainland China has recently introduced a number of measures that are seen as positive to Macau, including allowing group tourists to travel between Hengqin and Macau via the Hengqin Control Point for multiple trips within seven days on a “group-in group-out” basis, and adding 10 more mainland cities to the Individual Visit Scheme for visits to Macau and Hong Kong.