The Chinese government has officially resumed its national subsidy program in August, with the third batch of 69 billion yuan in funding already distributed. The program will continue through December 31, 2025, providing consumers with substantial savings on home appliances and digital products.
The subsidy program offers significant financial incentives for consumers looking to upgrade their household appliances and electronic devices. For home appliances, qualifying first-class energy-efficient products are eligible for subsidies up to 20% of the retail price, with a maximum subsidy of 2,000 yuan per item. Digital products including smartphones, computers, tablets, and televisions qualify for subsidies up to 15% of the retail price, with a maximum of 500 yuan per item.
Consumer response has been positive since the program's resumption. Residents across various cities have reported substantial savings when purchasing new appliances. The program particularly benefits purchases of energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and range hoods, which have seen increased consumer interest.
To qualify for subsidies, home appliances must meet first-class energy efficiency standards. The program covers mainstream brands, both domestic and imported, provided they meet the specified energy efficiency requirements. For digital products, certain brand restrictions may apply, and consumers are advised to verify product eligibility before purchase.
The subsidy program is supported by China's ultra-long special treasury bonds for 2025, with 500 billion yuan allocated specifically for "large-scale equipment updates and consumer goods trade-in programs." Of this amount, 300 billion yuan is directly designated for trade-in initiatives. The first three funding batches have been fully distributed, with a fourth batch of 69 billion yuan planned for October release.
Major e-commerce platforms like JD.com have integrated subsidy applications into their systems, allowing consumers to access discounts directly through mobile applications. The platform has reported increased traffic in home appliance sections, particularly for air conditioning, washing machine, and kitchen appliance categories.
The policy allows multiple subsidy claims per consumer, provided each purchased product meets the qualifying criteria. This enables households with multiple upgrade needs to benefit from the program across various product categories.
Industry analysts view this program as part of broader economic stimulus measures aimed at boosting domestic consumption and encouraging the replacement of older, less efficient appliances with modern, energy-saving alternatives. The program also supports environmental goals by promoting higher energy efficiency standards.
With funding secured through December 31, 2025, consumers have an extended window to plan their appliance and electronics purchases. The program covers a comprehensive range of products from refrigerators and water purifiers to computers and water heaters, addressing most household upgrade needs.
The resumption of the national subsidy program represents a significant opportunity for consumers to modernize their households while contributing to energy efficiency goals and economic stimulus objectives.