Why Apple Doesn’t Charge a 30% Commission on 12306 Train Ticket Purchases

With the release of the new iPhone 17 series, discussions about the “Apple tax” have resurfaced.

Many users notice that the official 12306 app for buying train tickets can use Alipay, WeChat Pay and other methods without going through Apple’s in‑app purchase (IAP) system.

Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines require apps that sell digital content or services to use IAP, from which Apple takes a 15‑30% commission. This is commonly referred to as the “Apple tax”.

According to clause 3.1.3(e) of the guidelines, sales of “goods and services outside the app”—such as train tickets—are exempt from IAP, so 12306 does not fall under the commission.

The same exemption applies to many e‑commerce platforms (Taobao, JD.com), ride‑hailing (Didi), and hotel bookings (Ctrip), which use third‑party payment methods for physical services.

Apple distinguishes between virtual goods, which must use IAP, and physical goods or services, which are not subject to its commission because Apple does not provide logistics or after‑sale support for them.

For small developers the commission can be reduced to 15%, and for subscriptions lasting over a year the rate also drops.

Since 2024, under pressure from the EU Digital Markets Act, Apple has allowed alternative payment systems in Europe, showing its policy is adapting to regulatory environments.

Beyond the policy itself, 12306’s status as China’s official railway ticketing platform gives Apple an incentive to maintain a cooperative relationship, avoiding potential social impact of removal from the App Store.

Understanding these rules helps developers plan their business models: digital services will likely incur Apple’s commission, while physical goods offer more flexibility in payment options.