January 5 witnessed Fujian Province's inaugural "one declaration form, one sealed package, one barcode" streamlined tax refund service for departing tourists, which was officially implemented in Xiamen. This pioneering mechanism, which links one tax refund application form, one sealed package, and one tax refund barcode, simplifies tax refund claims, inspection, and customs clearance—a strategic initiative supporting Xiamen's bid to become an international consumption center. After purchasing tax-refund eligible goods at pilot stores, international tourists receive their items packaged in standardized sealed bags, with a barcode attached to the tax refund application as the primary identifier. During departure, customs authorities only need to inspect the integrity of the sealed package and scan the barcode for instant verification. This model replaces the traditional practice of individually unpacking and inspecting each item, significantly reducing processing time. Xiamen has developed Fujian's first "inbound tourism-friendly block" on Zhongshan Road, creating a welcoming environment through enhanced language, payment, and consumption services. By expanding multilingual services, establishing a new convenient payment system for foreign visitors, and pioneering the city's first downtown duty-free store at Zhonghua City, Xiamen has strengthened its appeal. Data from platforms like Ctrip and Qunar during the 2026 New Year holiday period shows that Xiamen ranked among China's top inbound tourism destinations, with growing non-Chinese passport bookings underscoring its international allure.
