Why Is Export Tax Refund Equal to Input Tax Refund? 2026 Policy Interpretation and Practical Guide

I.Policy Essence: Why Export Tax Refund Is Input Tax Refund

The core of export tax refund is "refund of input tax amount",rather than VAT refund in the sales link.According to the Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax,after exporting goods,enterprises can apply to the competent tax authority for refund of the paid input tax with the special VAT invoices (input tax vouchers) obtained when purchasing raw materials/services.

Key Difference: Output tax (export link) is exempted at 0 tax rate,while input tax (procurement link) is refundable.For example: A garment enterprise pays 13% VAT (input tax) when purchasing fabrics.After export,it applies for tax refund with the input invoice.If the refund rate is 13%,the full amount will be refunded; if the refund rate is 10%,the refund will be made at 10%.

2026 Core Changes: The refund rate for some goods with originally high refund rates (such as machinery) has been lowered to 9%,so enterprises need to re-sort the matching logic between input invoices and refund rates.

II.Refund Rate Changes and Input Tax Matching Strategies

1.Compliance Logic of HS Code Classification

The same product corresponding to different HS codes has significant differences in refund rates.For example: "Pure cotton knitted T-shirts" (HS6109) have a refund rate of 13%,while "chemical fiber knitted T-shirts" (HS6110) have a refund rate of 9%.Enterprises should confirm the code with customs classification specialists such as Mr.Guan in advance to avoid refund rate losses caused by incorrect classification.

Practical Suggestions: When purchasing,enterprises shall require suppliers to indicate "product name + HS code + material composition" on the invoice to ensure that the declaration elements are consistent with the actual goods.Zhongshitong Agency can assist enterprises in using the "classification pre-ruling" service to lock in the code in advance.

2.Dynamic Check List for Refund Rates

III.Practical Risk Warning and Mitigation Solutions

1.Compliance Red Line for Input Invoices

In 2026,the tax system will strengthen the comparison of "invoice,goods and certificate" three documents.Enterprises need to self-check: ① The interval between the issuance date of input invoice and the export date shall be ≤90 days; ② The invoice title shall be consistent with the operating unit on the customs declaration form; ③ Goods "switched from export to domestic sales" shall not be declared for tax refund.

Typical Case: Mr.Zhou,the head of a chemical enterprise,had his declaration questioned by the customs for "declaration elements inconsistent with actual goods" due to "specifications and models missing in the remark column" of the input invoice,which delayed the tax refund for 37 days.Zhongshitong Agency assisted in supplementing contracts and test reports,and successfully recovered losses of about CNY 80,000.

2.Risks of Exchange Loss and Port Demurrage Charges

During the settlement of tax refund funds,exchange rate fluctuations may lead to the shrinkage of actual income.Zhongshitong provides "RMB settlement + exchange rate locking" service,and completes foreign exchange settlement 3 working days in advance through the global agency network to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations.

Hidden Costs: Hidden expenses such as document exchange fees and port demurrage charges of freight forwarding companies may erode tax refund income.For example: An enterprise based in Ningbo paid an extra CNY 5,000 demurrage charge due to failure to exchange documents in time,which is equivalent to 1.2% of the tax refund amount.

IV.Cross-Region Declaration at Shanghai Port and Global Collaboration

As a foreign trade agency headquartered in Shanghai,Zhongshitong can cooperate with ports across the country such as Shenzhen,Ningbo and Tianjin to realize "filing in one place,declaration nationwide".For example: An enterprise based in Suzhou completed "pre-classification + pre-document review" at Shanghai Port through Zhongshitong Agency,shortening the export tax refund cycle from an average of 18 days to 7 days.

Global Agency Network: We have established localized customs clearance teams in RCEP member countries (such as Indonesia and Malaysia),which can directly obtain FORM R certificates of origin,reducing tariff costs by 3%-5%.For example: An enterprise based in Guangdong completed "door-to-door" service at Malaysian ports through Zhongshitong Agency,and the actual refund rate increased to 11.5% after tariff reduction and exemption.

V.Key Actions for Enterprise Tax Refund in 2026

• Completed in Q1: Sort out input invoices from January to December 2025,and classify and file them by HS code
• Implemented in Q2: Apply for "classification pre-ruling" to lock the refund rate (materials need to be submitted 30 days in advance)
• Launched in Q3: Connect with Zhongshitong to complete the self-check of "three-document matching" (customs declaration form / input VAT invoice / export invoice)
• Optimized in Q4: Establish "input tax ledger" to dynamically monitor changes in refund rates

Zhongshitong reminds: Export tax refund is the legitimate right and interest of enterprises,and shall be operated within the "compliance framework".If enterprises have problems such as incomplete input invoices or doubtful code classification,it is recommended to entrust a professional agency for assistance to avoid 30%-50% tax refund loss caused by operational errors.