China: more open, more connected

The visa-free transit policy has been expanded to 240 hours – now valid in 65 ports in 24 provinces – and extended until 31 December 2026 (was expiring on 31 December 2025) the policy of exemption from visa with possibility of entry in China Mainland without visa for a period of 30 days, for over 40 countries, among which France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain, with Sweden that will be added to the list starting from 10 November.

A strong signal of the country’s commitment towards facilitating international mobility, strengthening global connectivity, and supporting inbound tourism and business exchanges.

Shanghai’s Plan to Improve the Tax Refund Environment for Departing Visitors

On July 3, 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, together with five departments, launched a 2025–2027 Action Plan to upgrade its departure tax refund system. The new policy allows foreign tourists to receive VAT refunds directly in-store through the “Refund-upon-Purchase” system, replacing the previous departure-based tax refund system. Foreign tourists shopping at eligible stores need to complete a refund agreement and credit card pre-authorization to receive an instant refund. At departure, they present goods, receipts, and ID to customs for verification. Lastly, a refund agency at the port finalizes the process.

In addition, the minimum spending threshold was reduced from ¥500 to ¥200 per store per day, while the daily refund cap rose to ¥20,000. Moreover, to encourage merchant adoption, Shanghai offers up to 50% equipment subsidies, cash incentives (¥5,000–¥10,000), and fee waivers for up to two years. Moreover, registration has been simplified, and credit requirements relaxed to include Grade M taxpayers.

Shanghai plans to boost over 80% of tax-refund stores to support instant refunds via card or mobile payment. Furthermore, it aims to expand to 3,000+ stores and 10,000 service points by 2027, with smart terminals, sealed-bag packaging, and multilingual tools improving efficiency.

On 4 December, a delegation of CPO visited Automechanika Shanghai 2024, the annual trade fair, this year at its twentieth edition, hosted at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The 2024 edition, held from 2 to 5 December, saw the confirmed participation of 6,763 exhibitors, including 17 pavilions dedicated to specific international countries and regions.

A reference point in the auto-motorcycle sector for domestic and international exhibitors and buyers interested in exchanging information, connecting with key market players and negotiating business agreements, Automechanika covers a wide range of industry sectors, from components to electric vehicles, from repairing to customization.

CPO has among its clients business enterprises that are excellencies in the sector, and therefore considers the participation in this year’s fair to be positive, especially in terms of networking with the companies present, international and Chinese, among which there were also some Italian companies gathered in an Italian Pavilion set up for the occasion.

China Visa Exemption Update: Extended Stay and New Eligible Countries

From November 30, 2024, travelers from Italy and nine additional countries recently added to the list – Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan – can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days per stay, after the extension of the previous limit of 15 days per stay. This policy is valid until December 31, 2025 and covers purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, transit and exchange visits. This last purpose was newly added.

Key Clarifications:

Multiple Entries: There are no restrictions on the number of visa-free entries or total cumulative days of stay.

Documentation: Travelers should carry relevant documents, such as invitations, flight tickets, and hotel reservations, correspondent with the purpose of their visit.

This update simplifies travel for business and leisure, fostering stronger connections between China and these countries.

2024 Shanghai Book Fair

The 2024 edition of the Shanghai Book Fair, one of the most important yearly book fairs in Mainland China, organized since 2004, is being held from 14 to 20 August in the heart of Shanghai, hosted again this year at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, the venue of numerous prestigious international and non-international fairs, located directly in front of CPO Shanghai offices.

Offering a vast selection of foreign language books, among the almost 30,000 titles on display, the Fair promotes the interaction between different cultures and languages, presenting itself as a point of reference for anyone who wants, through reading, to begin learning about China or deepen specific interests. Another reason for attraction, perhaps not known to everyone, is the cost of books in China, extremely low, with university texts that for example cost 5-10 euros per book for new editions just printed. For those who happen to be in Shanghai during this period and love reading, visiting the Fair is highly recommended.

China Visa exemption for Italian citizens – No limitations for multiple entries

Regarding the visa exemption for Italian citizens who travel to China for 15 days, valid until 31 December 2025, considering the importance of the policy for those who plan to visit the country for the reasons covered by the exemption, i.e. business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit, a practical clarification is useful.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Italy specified how the exemption works in relation to the possibility of multiple entries, requirements for the time interval between each entry, and restrictions on the total cumulative number of days in which one person can stay in China.

Italian citizens who come to China to engage in the activities covered by the exemption are not subject to restrictions on the number of visa-free entries and the total number of days in which they can stay in China. If they wish, they can thus enter multiple times into the country for a period of 15 days for each stay, having the option to leave and re-enter each time by departing from any country or region outside of China.

Travelers to China are advised to keep supporting documents, especially for travelers with numerous entries, such as invitations, airline tickets and hotel reservations in line with the purpose of the visit.