Shanghai is set to enhance its subsidy program for residents by introducing a new category for smart living products, according to Shen Weihua, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. The announcement was made during a public welfare program on April 22. In addition to the existing national subsidies covering 10 types of home appliances and digital smart products, the city will soon roll out its own subsidy policy for smart living items.
The current subsidy program for home appliances and digital products covers six categories of home appliances—refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, televisions, computers, and water heaters—as well as four types of digital smart products: mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches or bands, and smart glasses. Notably, smart glasses have been newly added to this year’s subsidy list.
The subsidy amounts to 15% of the final selling price, with a cap of 1,500 yuan per item for home appliances and 500 yuan per item for digital and smart products. Shen emphasized that the subsidy applies to the purchase of new products and is calculated based on the post-discount price agreed upon by the buyer and seller, not the original listed price.
For example, if an air conditioner is marked at 5,000 yuan but sold at a discounted price of 4,000 yuan, the subsidy would be 600 yuan (15% of 4,000 yuan), meaning the buyer only pays 3,400 yuan.
In addition to the national subsidy, Shanghai has applied to the Ministry of Commerce to introduce a municipal-level subsidy for smart living products. Once approved, this local subsidy will soon be available to residents.
Both online and offline participation channels are available, but this year’s program shows a clear preference for in-store purchases. Offline participants can enjoy an "instant lottery" mechanism, where subsidy vouchers are issued in real time and can be used directly at checkout. By contrast, online applicants must enter a biweekly lottery and wait for the results.
Shen confirmed that the offline lottery offers a higher chance of success. He explained that while last year’s online and offline odds were the same, this year’s funding allocation favors offline purchases, with 80% of subsidies reserved for in-store transactions. Shoppers can participate by selecting their products, finalizing the price, and using the Cloud Flash Pay app to enter the lottery at the point of sale.
Online applicants can register through platforms such as Cloud Flash Pay or JD.com, but they will need to wait for the biweekly lottery draw. Shen advised residents to follow the "Shanghai Business" WeChat account for updates.
Separately, the city has also optimized its car trade-in subsidy program to support consumers in upgrading their vehicles. Subsidies are available for both scrapping and replacing old vehicles. Those who scrap an eligible old vehicle and purchase a new energy vehicle can receive a subsidy of up to 12% of the new car’s price, capped at 20,000 yuan. For those buying a new fuel-powered vehicle under the same conditions, the subsidy is 10%, with a maximum of 15,000 yuan.
For trade-ins without scrapping—where an old vehicle is sold—the subsidy is 8% for new energy vehicles (up to 15,000 yuan) and 6% for fuel vehicles (up to 13,000 yuan).
The car trade-in program also uses a lottery system. Shen noted that the current off-peak car-buying season offers a favorable opportunity for consumers, as fewer applicants mean higher chances of winning the subsidy lottery.
After purchasing a new vehicle, consumers can register for the lottery via the "Shanghai Business" WeChat account or the "Che Xin Meng" platform. Draws are held every two weeks, and nearly 40,000 consumers have already received subsidies this year.
Residents are encouraged to refer to the detailed implementation rules and operation guide for the 2026 Shanghai Auto Trade-In Subsidy Policy for further information.
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