"Ma’am, don’t throw away that old fridge as scrap! The new national subsidy policy is now in effect—you can trade it in for a top-tier energy-efficient fridge and get up to 2,000 CNY in subsidies, way better than selling it for scrap!" This pitch from a salesperson at an appliance store last week immediately caught our attention while shopping for a fridge with my mom. Upon further inquiry, we learned that a new round of national subsidies totaling 69 billion CNY officially opened for applications in October, covering automobiles, home appliances, electronics, and more, with a significantly simplified process compared to previous years. Once this round concludes, the 300-billion-CNY "trade-in" subsidy program will officially enter its final phase. Missing this opportunity could mean waiting another three years! As someone who recently completed a car trade-in subsidy, I’ve compiled a practical guide to the latest changes, application tips, and hidden benefits of this subsidy program—breaking it down from an everyday consumer’s perspective.

**1. How Big Are the Subsidies? The 300-Billion-CNY Final Phase Countdown Begins** 2025 marks the final year of China’s 300-billion-CNY "trade-in" subsidy program, with funds distributed in four batches. The first two batches (162 billion CNY) have already been exhausted, while the third batch (69 billion CNY) saw quotas running low as early as September. The fourth and final batch (69 billion CNY) launched on October 1. Currently, the remaining national quota stands at approximately 138 billion CNY, and at a daily consumption rate of 1.5 billion CNY, it could be fully claimed by late November. This round of subsidies coincides perfectly with Double 11 promotions—JD.com’s "300 off 50" and Tmall’s "up to 50% off" can be stacked with national subsidies, resulting in total discounts exceeding 50% for some products. More importantly, the next subsidy program of this scale may not return for at least two years—missing out now means no second chance.

**2. Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Subsidies: Access, Codes, and Process** - **Core Rules**: The current subsidy system operates on a "voucher + real-name" basis. Eligibility vouchers must be used within 48 hours of claiming, or they expire. Each person is limited to one subsidy per product category (with exceptions like air conditioners, allowing three per household). - **Order Matters**: Claim the voucher first, then place your order. Reversing these steps will disqualify you from receiving the subsidy. - **Platform Access & Exclusive Codes**: - **JD.com APP** (widest coverage): - Home Appliances: Search "国补333" for up to 2,000 CNY off top-tier energy-efficient products. - Electronics/Phones: Search "数码2000" for up to 500 CNY off products under 6,000 CNY. - General Red Packets: Search "福气红包444" for three daily draws, with a top prize of 11,111 CNY vouchers stackable with subsidies. - **UnionPay App**: Users in Jiangsu and Guangdong can claim additional local vouchers, pushing total discounts up to 40%.

**3. What Can You Buy? Four Major Categories Covered** - **Home Appliances & Furniture**: Higher energy efficiency = bigger subsidies. - Basics: 20% off (up to 2,000 CNY) for top-tier fridges/ACs; 15% (up to 1,500 CNY) for second-tier. - Premium: Dishwashers, robot vacuums, etc., eligible based on energy ratings. - Renovation: Smart lighting, kitchen upgrades (15-20% off), age-friendly bathrooms (up to 50% off, max 10,000 CNY/household). - **Electronics & Education**: - Phones/tablets/smartwatches under 6,000 CNY: 15% off (max 500 CNY), combinable with store coupons for near-free purchases. - Education: Study desks, eye-protection lamps, etc., subsidized for families with children. - **Automobiles**: - Scrapping old cars for EVs: 10,000-20,000 CNY (local add-ons may save up to 25,000 CNY total). - Trading old cars for EVs: 15,000 CNY. - Scrapping for fuel cars: 15,000 CNY. - As of October 22, over 10 million car trade-in applications were filed nationwide, with EVs accounting for 57.2% and a September market penetration rate of 57.8%.

**4. Nationwide Quota Status: Regional Disparities & Timing Tips** - **Paused**: Henan, Xinjiang, Pingxiang (Jiangxi)—no relaunch in 2025. - **Lottery Systems**: Shanghai (7 AM daily), Anhui (weekly Wednesday draws). - **Ample Quotas**: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan. - **Near Depletion**: Shandong, Hunan (expected closure mid-December). - **Pro Tips**: - Set alarms for quota drops (e.g., Shandong 9 AM, Guangdong 11 AM). - Prep early: Save target items in cart and bookmark search codes. - Watch for bonus rounds: Most provinces add quotas at midnight/8 PM.

**5. Pitfalls to Avoid: 5 Mistakes That Void Eligibility** - Mismatched info (application vs. delivery address/ID). - Missing documents (invoice without SN code, unproven car scrapping). - Wrong sequence (paying before voucher claim). - Fraud (duplicate orders/proxy applications). - Late submissions (car applications due by October 31; invoices by December 31).

**6. Critical Deadlines** - October 31: Car trade-in application cutoff (45-day review). - November 9-11: JD.com’s Double 11 peak discounts. - Late November: Expected national quota exhaustion. - December 15: Early closures in Henan/Shandong. - December 31: National system shutdown. - January 10, 2026: Final car subsidy verification.

This 69-billion-CNY subsidy isn’t just "free money"—it’s strategically targeted at key consumer scenarios. Whether upgrading cars, appliances, or gadgets, there’s something for everyone. Follow this guide to navigate the process smoothly and maximize your benefits. For specific product queries, drop a comment below!