China updates tax rebate policy to aid gas imports

On 30 April, China published an updated policy and detailed rules for value-added tax (VAT) rebates on gas imports. The new policy applies to LNG and pipeline gas imports from 2021 to 2025. It replaces the previous policy that governed imports from 2011 to 2020. The new policy is positive for importers, in particular for those that did not qualify under the old policy and long-term contracts signed prior to 2015. However, VAT rebates alone will not alter the gas-on-gas competition landscape.