A group of Brazilian tourists became the first people to experience the new paperless instant tax refund service at Buynow Plaza in Tianhe on July 1.

After a shopping spree, they processed their value-added tax (VAT) rebates in just a few minutes, praising the convenience of the service.

The new policy, effective July 1, eliminates the need for paper documents, making the refund process more convenient.

Buynow Plaza, the largest hub for electronic and smart technology products in Guangzhou, hosts flagship stores of renowned Chinese brands like DJI, Insta360, Rokid, iFlytek, and Huawei.

The plaza has transformed into a smart lifestyle center, integrating gaming, tech experiences, and trendy dining options. It became the fourth centralized instant tax refund hub in Guangzhou starting July 1.

This new policy will effectively enhance the consumption experience for overseas visitors in Guangzhou and stimulate digital-focused inbound consumption, industry experts said.

Zeng Jia, general manager of Buynow Plaza, said the initiative is expected to boost repeat purchases and increase revenue for the commercial sector, which includes shopping, dining, and other areas.

Liang Baohong, deputy director of Tianhe District Taxation Bureau, said this development supports Guangzhou's goal of becoming an international consumption center.

Brazilian tourists are the first to try Tianhe's new paperless tax refund service at Buynow Plaza. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]