Commercial B2B Freight Only — No Tourist Refunds

Recover the 13% VAT
Your Supplier Owes You

13% of your cargo value — sitting in the Chinese tax system, waiting to be claimed.

Every commercial shipment exported from China is eligible for a VAT refund — but only if you have a licensed Exporter of Record filing correctly. Most buyers never see this money. We make sure you do.

1 Day
Express VAT refund
processing guarantee

Calculate Your VAT Refund

Free assessment — response within 30 minutes

Your information is 100% secure & confidential

Important: Zhongshen provides EOR and VAT rebate services exclusively for commercial B2B freight and wholesale exports. We do not process airport tax refunds for tourists, personal shoppers, or individual retail purchases.
13%
Max VAT Refund Rate
1day
Express Processing
23+
Years Tax Filing Experience
125+
Countries Served
98.3%
Client Satisfaction
Common Problems We Solve

Why Most Buyers Never Receive Their VAT Refund

These are the three most common scenarios that cost international buyers millions in unclaimed VAT every year.

✗

"My factory refuses to issue a proper VAT invoice."

Our Solution

We purchase directly from your factory under Zhongshen's registered entity, requiring proper Special VAT Invoices as a condition of payment. You get a compliant transaction record — and your refund.

✗

"The refund process takes 3–6 months and I need cash now."

Our Solution

With 23 years of established relationships with Chinese customs authorities and tax bureaus, we process and advance VAT refunds within 1 business day of export clearance — eliminating your cash flow gap entirely.

✗

"My supplier keeps the tax refund as hidden profit."

Our Solution

As your Exporter of Record, we file the customs declaration under Zhongshen's license — not your supplier's. The VAT refund flows to us and is fully accounted for in your settlement report. Transparent. Verifiable.

How the Money Flows

A Fully Transparent, Compliant 4-Step Process

This is exactly how funds move when we act as your Exporter of Record — every step is auditable and SAFE-compliant.

01
USD / EUR / GBP →

You Pay Zhongshen in Foreign Currency

Wire your payment to our SAFE-licensed foreign exchange account. We issue a proforma invoice for the full cargo value including VAT.

02
CNY →

We Pay Your Factory in RMB

We pay your Chinese supplier in renminbi and require them to issue a legitimate Special VAT Invoices as a condition of payment.

03
Customs Filing →

We Declare & Export Under Our License

We file the customs export declaration under Zhongshen's export operating license. Your goods are cleared and shipped to your destination.

04
VAT Refund →

Refund Processed & Settlement Delivered

Within 1 business day of clearance, we claim the VAT refund from the Chinese tax authority and include the full breakdown in your settlement report.

Who We Help

Two Types of Commercial Exporters We Serve

Whether you are a traditional B2B importer or a cross-border e-commerce operator, the VAT refund entitlement is the same — the filing process differs, and we handle both.

inventory_2 Traditional B2B Trade

Wholesale Buyers & Trading Companies

You purchase goods in bulk from Chinese manufacturers and ship by FCL or LCL to overseas distributors, retailers, or your own warehouses. You need a compliant EOR to handle customs, FX settlement, and VAT reclaim.

FCL / LCL Export General Trade (HS 0110) FX Settlement VAT Invoice Compliance
storefront Cross-Border E-commerce

Amazon, Shopify & Platform Sellers

You source from Chinese factories and ship directly to FBA warehouses or overseas fulfillment centers. We specialize in compliant 9710 and 9810 customs declarations, ensuring you legally claim VAT refunds on every shipment.

9710 / 9810 Declaration FBA / Overseas Warehouse Amazon / Shopify Bulk Air & Sea Freight
Reference Rates

Common Export VAT Refund Rates by Category

Refund rates vary by HS code. The following are indicative rates for common export categories. Tell us your product and we will confirm your exact eligible rate within 30 minutes.

Product Category Example Goods Indicative Refund Rate Applicable Declaration
Electronics & Technology Laptops, PCB boards, LED lighting 13% General Trade / 9710
Machinery & Equipment Industrial machinery, motors, generators 13% General Trade
Renewable Energy Solar panels, inverters, battery systems 13% General Trade / 9710
Textiles & Apparel Garments, fabrics, home textiles 10–13% General Trade / 9710
Plastics & Chemicals Plastic products, chemical compounds 9–13% General Trade
Furniture & Household Wooden furniture, kitchenware 13% General Trade / 9710
Food & Agricultural Products Processed foods, agricultural goods 5–9% General Trade

* Rates are indicative and subject to China's Ministry of Finance regulations. Actual refund rates are confirmed at the time of filing based on the specific HS code. Contact us for a free, binding rate assessment.

Common Questions

Export VAT Refund FAQ

Specific questions about your HS code or shipment? Contact us directly — we respond within 30 minutes.

What exactly is the China export VAT refund and who is entitled to it?+
When goods are manufactured in China, the producer pays Value Added Tax (VAT) — typically 13% — on the production inputs. Chinese export policy allows this VAT to be refunded when the goods leave the country, as exports are considered zero-rated. The refund is claimed by the licensed exporter of record, which is Zhongshen when we act as your EOR. Without a licensed exporter handling the declaration correctly, this money is never recovered.
This is a commercial cargo entitlement, not a personal shopping refund. If you are looking for airport tax refunds on personal purchases made during a visit to China, please contact your airline or the China Tax Refund for Tourists service. Zhongshen does not process personal tax refund claims of any kind.
I don't have a Chinese company. Can I still claim the refund?+
Yes — this is precisely why foreign buyers use an Exporter of Record. You do not need a Chinese business license, import/export license, or bank account. Zhongshen files the export declaration and VAT refund application under our own entity. The refund is factored into your settlement, and you receive a complete financial report showing every step of the transaction.
How does 1-day express refund processing work?+
Once your shipment clears customs, we file the VAT refund application electronically with the relevant Chinese tax authority immediately. With 23 years of established processing relationships, the application is reviewed on an accelerated timeline. For most standard commodity categories, we process and account for the refund within 1 business day of export clearance — significantly faster than the industry standard of 30–90 days.
My factory says they can handle the refund themselves. Why do I need an agent?+
Your factory can legally claim the VAT refund if they hold their own export license — and many factories do. However, when they handle the refund themselves, the refund goes to them, not to you. It is then treated as hidden profit, often embedded in the quoted FOB price as an informal discount. By using Zhongshen as your EOR, the refund is transparent, documented, and returned to your account. You control where the money goes.
Does this work for cross-border e-commerce (Amazon FBA, Shopify) shipments from China?+
Yes. We file under the 9710 (market procurement) and 9810 (cross-border e-commerce B2B direct export) customs declaration modes, which are the compliant filing structures for platform sellers sourcing from China. The VAT refund entitlement is the same as general trade — what changes is the declaration format. Our team is fully trained in both modes and ensures your shipments are declared correctly for maximum refund eligibility.
What documents do I need to provide to get started?+
To begin a refund assessment, we need: (1) your purchase order or proforma invoice from your Chinese supplier, (2) the HS code or product description of your goods, (3) destination country and incoterms, and (4) your company registration documents. We will confirm your eligible VAT refund rate and provide a full cost-benefit analysis before you commit to any shipment.

Stop Leaving 13% on the Table.

Send us your product details and HS code — we will calculate your exact VAT refund entitlement and send you a full proposal within the same business day.

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