How to Get a Hotel Invoice (Fapiao) in China for Foreigners
How to Get a Hotel Invoice (Fapiao) in China for Foreigners
How to Get a Hotel Invoice (Fapiao) in China for Foreigners
How to Get a Hotel Invoice (Fapiao) in China for Foreigners
If your company or embassy reimburses your China hotel stay, you will almost certainly need a fapiao , the official Chinese tax invoice. Unlike a normal receipt, a fapiao is issued through the state tax system and is required for legitimate business expense claims in China. This guide explains how foreigners can get one smoothly.
The short version: ask for the fapiao at check-out (or sometimes at a self-service kiosk), provide the company name exactly as registered, and keep the printed paper. If you prepaid through a platform, the hotel still issues the fapiao for the stay. For payment background, read our guide to paying with foreign cards.
What Is a Fapiao and Why It Matters
A fapiao is more than a receipt. It is a government-recognized invoice that proves tax was paid, and Chinese companies and institutions usually cannot reimburse without it. For foreigners on business, it is the difference between getting your money back and not. Note that a booking confirmation email is not a fapiao.
Types of Fapiao
| Type | Format | When |
|---|---|---|
| Paper fapiao | Printed, often with a red stamp code | Most hotels, standard |
| Electronic fapiao | QR or PDF via WeChat or email | Modern chains, faster |
| VAT special invoice | For company tax deduction | Only with full company tax details |
How to Request One: Step by Step
First, know the exact company name and tax ID (if required) before check-out. At the front desk, say you need a fapiao for the room and ask whether it is paper or electronic. Some hotels have a kiosk in the lobby where you scan your passport and print it. For prepaid stays, the fapiao covers the room cost even if you paid online. See our hotel deposit and taxes guide for what is itemized.
Common Problems and Fixes
The most common issue is the hotel saying the fapiao can only be issued later because the prepaid platform handles billing. In that case, ask the platform for the fapiao, or have the hotel issue one for the local portion. Another issue is a typo in the company name, which makes it unusable, so double-check spelling. Our city-by-city hotel tax breakdown helps you understand what tax appears.
Foreigner-Specific Tips
Carry your passport, since many kiosks require a scan. If your company is outside China and does not need a Chinese fapiao, a normal stamped receipt may suffice, but confirm with your finance team. For currency questions on the invoice, our RMB exchange rate guide explains USD versus CNY billing. When booking from home, our book from abroad guide covers noting invoice needs in the request.
Digital vs Paper
Electronic fapiao sent to WeChat is increasingly common at international chains and is easier to forward to finance. Paper is still the safe default at older or smaller hotels. Either way, photograph the fapiao immediately in case you lose the original.
When You Cannot Get One
Some budget or unlicensed guesthouses cannot issue a fapiao. If reimbursement matters, book hotels that explicitly do. As a backup, ask for a stamped business receipt and check whether your employer accepts it.
Local Terms You Will See
Two Chinese terms come up constantly. The official tax invoice is called a fapiao, and a plain business receipt is called a shouju. Foreigners only need the fapiao for reimbursement; a shouju alone is usually not accepted by Chinese finance teams. Knowing the difference saves confusion at the front desk, where staff may assume you want whichever they normally print.
Safety, Health, and Practical Tips
Beyond the fapiao, protect your expense paperwork the way you would a passport. Photograph every invoice the moment you get it, keep digital copies in cloud storage, and note the hotel’s tax ID on your records. If your employer is outside China, confirm in advance whether they need the Chinese fapiao or will accept a stamped English receipt. Our exchange rate guide helps you record the correct USD value for claims.
What if the hotel says the machine is broken?
Ask for a handwritten stamped receipt as a temporary proof and a commitment to issue the fapiao later, then follow up by email.
Can I get a fapiao for incidentals like minibar?
Yes, the fapiao can cover the full stay including incidentals if itemized at check-out; review the breakdown before leaving.
Choosing the Right Hotel for Reimbursement
If a fapiao is essential, book licensed hotels and international chains that issue them without fuss; unlicensed guesthouses often cannot. Before paying, message the property to confirm they can produce a fapiao with your company name. Keep the tax ID exactly as registered, because finance teams reject mismatches. A hotel that answers this question clearly is usually the safer choice for expense claims.
Best Booking Window and Mistakes to Avoid
Request the fapiao at check-out rather than afterward, because some hotels cap how long they can back-issue one. The most common mistake is a typo in the company name, which invalidates the document; read it back to the clerk. Another is assuming a booking app receipt is enough; it is not for Chinese reimbursement. Photograph the fapiao immediately, and if your employer is overseas, confirm whether they need the Chinese original or accept a translation.
Seasonal Events and What to Expect
There is no season for the fapiao, but year-end is when reimbursement pressure peaks, because many companies close expense claims by December. If you travel for business in China late in the year, collect every fapiao as you go rather than scrambling later, since some hotels cap back-issued invoices. Government tax-system upgrades occasionally change how electronic fapiao are delivered, so always confirm the delivery method, whether WeChat, email, or a printed slip, at the front desk.
How to Get the Most From Your Stay for Expenses
Treat the fapiao as part of check-out, not an afterthought. Set a habit: at every hotel, ask for the fapiao, verify the company name, photograph it, and file it the same day in a cloud folder named by trip. If a hotel cannot issue one, get a stamped receipt and note why, so your finance team has context. This small routine prevents the most common and frustrating loss of reimbursable money on a China business trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a fapiao after I have left the hotel?
Sometimes, within a limited window, by returning or contacting the hotel. It is much easier to get it at check-out, so ask then.
Does a prepaid booking still get a fapiao?
Yes, the hotel issues it for the stay; the online platform may instead issue one for the service fee. Clarify which you need.
What details must be correct?
The company name and tax ID must match exactly. A wrong name makes the fapiao invalid for reimbursement.
Is an e-receipt from a booking app enough?
For Chinese companies, usually no. You need the official fapiao. Some foreign employers accept app receipts, so check first.
Do all hotels issue fapiao?
Licensed hotels do. Unlicensed guesthouses may not, which is a reason to book recognized brands.
Is there a fee for a fapiao?
No. It is part of the legal transaction. A hotel that charges extra is unusual; confirm the rate includes tax.
Can I get an English fapiao?
The fapiao is issued in Chinese, but the hotel can often add an English receipt or translation. The Chinese fapiao itself is what finance needs.
Last verified: 2026-11-03.
About the author: This guide was written by Karl Huang, based on on-the-ground experience helping international travelers book and check in to hotels across China.
Disclosure: This site may use affiliate links to booking platforms such as Trip.com, Booking.com, and Agoda. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our independent, experience-based recommendations.
