Detailed Explanation of 2026 Export Tax Refund Calculation Methods: Sorting Out Practical Essentials for Enterprises

2026 Export Tax Refund Algorithm Adjustments: Policy Core and Enterprise Responses

1.Core Analysis of 2026 Export Tax Refund Policy

In 2026,China’s optimization of the export tax refund policy mainly adjusts from three dimensions: tax basis,refund rates,and declaration period.The key points are as follows:

• Tax Basis Shifts from "FOB Price" to "Actual Transaction Price": Previously,enterprises’ tax refunds were based on the Free On Board (FOB) price on the customs declaration form.Starting in 2026,eligible transportation and miscellaneous fees,insurance premiums,etc.can be included in the tax basis,but corresponding original documents such as ocean bills of lading and insurance contracts must be provided to avoid inflated amounts.
• Refund Rates for Certain Mechanical and Electrical Products Increased by 2 Percentage Points: To support exports of high-end manufacturing industries,the refund rates for 12 categories of mechanical and electrical products including auto parts and smart equipment have been raised from 13% to 15%.The refund rates for traditional commodities such as textiles and plastic products remain unchanged at 10%.Enterprises need to pay attention to the precise matching of commodity codes and refund rates.
• Declaration Period Extended to 120 Days: The declaration period calculated from the export date on the customs declaration form has been extended from 90 days to 120 days.However,if the declaration is overdue due to force majeure (such as port congestion or logistics delay),third-party supporting materials must be provided,otherwise the tax refund progress may still be affected.

To clearly compare the differences between the 2025 and 2026 export tax refund policies,the following is a comparison of key points:

2.Opportunities and Challenges Brought by Policy Adjustments

The changes in the 2026 tax refund algorithm have different impacts on foreign trade enterprises of various sizes,which need to be viewed dialectically from two aspects:

• Opportunities: Dual Improvement of Refund Amount and Efficiency
  • For enterprises with a relatively high proportion of transportation and miscellaneous fees (such as those exporting large-scale equipment),including these fees in the tax basis can increase the tax refund amount.Taking a machinery manufacturing enterprise as an example,the proportion of transportation and miscellaneous fees was 12% in 2025,and the annual tax refund is expected to increase by about 800,000 yuan in 2026;
  • The extension of the declaration period by 30 days alleviates the declaration pressure caused by logistics delays for enterprises and reduces the number of cases of overdue unrefunded taxes.
• Challenges: Increased Compliance Requirements and Calculation Complexity
  • Enterprises need to additionally organize documents such as transportation and miscellaneous fees and insurance premiums.Some small,medium and micro enterprises may have missing documents due to imperfect account books,leading to the tax basis not being recognized;
  • After the adjustment of the refund rates for mechanical and electrical products,enterprises need to accurately distinguish commodity codes to avoid deviations in the applicable refund rates caused by code errors,which may lead to the risk of over-refund or under-refund;
  • The new algorithm requires linked calculation based on "actual transaction price" and "refund rate".Some enterprise financial personnel have a shallow understanding of the formula,which is prone to calculation errors.

3.Zhongshen’s Agency Service Implementation Plan

In response to the changes in the 2026 tax refund algorithm,Zhongshen,relying on its more than 20 years of industry experience,provides enterprises with precise on-site services to help solve compliance and calculation problems:

• Document Compliance Sorting Service: Assist enterprises in organizing original documents such as ocean bills of lading,insurance policies,and transportation and miscellaneous fee invoices,and establish a corresponding account book of "contract - customs declaration form - documents" to ensure that the tax basis meets tax requirements;
• Dynamic Refund Rate Matching System: Build a real-time updated database of commodity codes and refund rates,and conduct tag-based management for key categories such as mechanical and electrical products to avoid code errors;
• Tax Refund Algorithm Calculation and Declaration Optimization: Provide enterprises with tax refund amount forecasting services,calculate accurate amounts based on actual transaction prices and refund rates,remind customers to complete the declaration within 120 days,and assist in preparing force majeure proofs for overdue declarations;
• Financial Personnel Practical Training: Regularly conduct practical training on the new algorithm to help enterprise financial personnel master the tax calculation logic and reduce subsequent declaration errors.

4.2026 Export Tax Refund Practical Suggestions

Under the new policy,enterprises need to focus on the following actions: Establish a "One Invoice Corresponding" Account Book —— Archive customs declaration forms,contracts,transportation and miscellaneous fee documents and other materials separately for each export transaction,mark commodity codes and refund rates to avoid affecting tax refunds due to missing documents or code errors.