2024 VAT Tax Refund Process in Paris, France
One question that I get asked frequently is how do I process the VAT tax refund in Paris? Many people assume the tax refund process in Paris is complicated, but rest assured it’s not. As long as you follow these simple steps, you will be receiving your VAT tax refund in no time.
What is VAT Tax?
VAT Tax stands for value added tax, meaning that any goods or services that are bought or sold for consumption in the European Union is subject to VAT tax. If you spend over €100.01 at a single store or department store, you are entitled to receive the Vat Tax refund.
How much is the VAT tax Refund?
On average, you will receive a 12% refund. There are some exceptions, for example, pharmacy goods offers a 10% refund, and if you purchase food and books you will receive 5.5% refund.
Who Qualifies for the VAT Tax Refund?
- You can not be a member of the European Union (EU). Meaning you aren’t living in an EU (European Union) country, living in Europe on a visa, nor have an EU passport or an EU Resident.
- You must be 16 years of age or order
- You cannot be in a Europe Union country for more than 6 months
- At the time of your purchase, you must have your passport with you
What is the VAT tax refund process?
Simple Steps for Receiving VAT Tax Refund
- Go Shopping!
- Spend over €100.01 in a Single Store or Department Store
- Request an Invoice
- Request a VAT Tax Refund Document
- Make sure you bring your passport
- Scan your Paperwork Before Leaving France/ EU
- Submit your tax refund paperwork at the airport or train station
- Make sure you have your purchases in your carry on for the customs officer to check (This doesn't always happen, but it can)
- Drop Form in the “Mailbox”
- Drop your tax refund form in the mailbox at the refund station
- Receive your Refund!
- Within the Next 30 – 90 days, you will receive your refund on the same credit card you purchased the item on
Using VAT TAX refund apps
Alternatively you can complete the VAT refund process digitally from your mobile phone. This allows to consolidate all your purchases from different shops into a single claim and avoid the min €100 restriction per transaction.
The French Tax and Customs Authority have recently licensed a number of VAT refund apps, such as Airvat tax refund, in order to improve the tourist VAT refund experience and also enable tax-free shopping for online purchases.
If you choose to use a VAT refund app, you don't need to show your passport at check-out but instead make sure to request an invoice addressed to your chosen refund app provider.
Can I receive a Cash Refund?
Yes, you can receive a VAT Tax cash refund immediately in stores. Typically, only department stores offer the cashback immediately option. (Printemps, Bon Marche, Galeries Lafayette, BHV, etc). With the cash refund, you will receive your cash immediately at a lower percentage of 10.8% than the standard 12%. It is extremely important that you follow the refund process and still drop your paperwork off at the airport, or else they will charge your credit card with the refund amount they provided in store.
Which European Countries Qualifies for the VAT tax refund?
These are the following European countries that qualify for the Vat Tax refund / Tax Free Shopping: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Countries that don’t qualify for the VAT tax refund: Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
How long does it take to receive my refund after I submit my paperwork?
The Vat Tax refund on average takes 30–90 days to process. If you are traveling to Paris and go shopping during the busy season, I've seen the refunds take 6 months. If you are traveling to Paris and go shopping during the off expect, expect to receive your refund quickly.
I'm traveling to multiple different countries, where do I submit my refund?
If you are traveling to multiple countries in the EU, you will submit your Vat Tax refund at the last country you are in before leaving the EU. For example, if you are traveling to France, then Amsterdam, then Germany you would file your paperwork at the Germany airport.
Do I need to bring my passport when I go shopping, or can I have a copy of it?
One of the most popular questions I get asked regarding the tax refund process in Paris, is “do you have to carry your passport or will a copy of it work?” Yes, for the tax refund process in Europe, you have to have your actual passport. What I highly recommend is get all your shopping in one day. That way, you aren’t carrying around your passport for multiple days.
Do I need to pack my boxes for Customs if I purchase Luxury Items
No, you do not need the box to show the Customs Officer, only the object that you purchased. After you purchase your luxury items in Paris, it's important that you keep these items in your carry on or readily available to show custom officers. Many times, the customs officer will ask to see your purchase(s). Items need to be unworn.
Where do I drop off the VAT tax form at the Paris airport?
At Paris-Orly
South Terminal: Departures level, gate G
West Terminal: Arrivals level, gate E
At Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Terminal 1: CDGVAL level, hall 6
Terminal 2A: Departures level, gate 5
Terminal 2C: Departures level, gate 12
Terminal 2D: Departures level, gate 6
Terminal 2E: Departures level, gate 4
Terminal 2F: Arrivals level
Terminal 3: Departures level, airside
How Early Should I arrive to the Airport to process my Vat Tax Refund?
I highly recommend that you arrive at the airport at least an hour earlier than you were planning to process the Vat Tax Refund paperwork. Sometimes you can get lucky and there is no line, other times the line is very long.
Layovers, – Where to get your VAT TAX Stamp?
You will process the VAT refund paperwork in the country you leave from, not where the layover is.
Traveling to Multiple Countries
If you plan on visiting multiple countries while you would process the VAT TAX refund in the last EU country you are in. For example, if you are traveling to France, then Italy, then Netherlands, you will process all the VAT TAX paperwork from your shopping in France and Italy at the Netherlands airport. Make sure you get the paperwork from your shopping in France, Italy and Netherlands.
Where do I drop off the VAT tax form at the Gare du Nore train station?
When you arrive at the EuroStar train station (if you are traveling to the UK), you can claim the VAT tax refund on the second floor after you go through security. Look for the sign. It is a self-automated machine. If you cannot find the machine, then I highly recommend you ask. Make sure you do this before you leave the EU in order to receive your tax refund at the Gare du Nore train station.
What if I'm traveling to Switzerland, leaving from Gare De Lyon?
It is very important to know that if you are leaving from Gare De Lyon, there is NO “detaxe” refund machine available at the station. Instead of submitting the paperwork prior to boarding the train, you will process all your forms and paperwork while on board the train.
- The Tax Refund Paperwork happens when you are on board
- When You arrive to your destination (Geneva, Vallorbe, Lausanne or Neuchâtel) there will be a customs mailbox in the train station you drop off your VAT Tax documents you processed while on board.
- If there is not a customs officer on board your train, you can get the Tax Refund paperwork stamped and processed at the Geneva train station.
What if I forgot to submit the VAT tax refund form or did the steps wrong?
If you leave the EU and forget to submit your VAT Tax refund, there are steps you need to follow to receive your refund. Within 6 months after the date of purchase of your goods, you must send a tax refund request to the Direction Generela des Douanes et Droits Indirects, and include a copy of your passport, boarding pass, customs declaration you made for those goods when entering your country, and a letter explaining why you were not able to process the refund while you were there and the retail export form.
Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects
Fiscalité, transports et politiques fiscales communautaires (bureau F1)
11, rue des Deux Communes
93558 Montreuil
France
Recap of the European VAT Tax Refund Process
Paris is one of the most popular places in the world to go shopping with some of the most iconic brands. Remember that if you're a tourist visiting Paris, or any EU country spend over €100.01 you're entitled to the VAT Tax refund. Happy to answer any questions in the comments!
Sincerely Petite in Paris,
Diane
I may have forgotten to scan ALL of my VAT forms when I was at the airport, as there are 2 tracker numbers that are not identifiable by Global Blue (when I check online). Do you happen to know if that’s a valid enough reason to include in the letter if I go through the work of the process here in the US, since I am no longer in France.
Another question, I shopped in Paris late January and do plan to visit again within 6 months, mid-late July. Do you know if I could somehow work on the missing VAT returns while I am in Paris instead?
Hello Lo,
Thank you for your message. You will have to process it from the US as you are no longer in France. Yes it is a valid reason, several people forget to process the VAT tax all the time.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
Thank you for this informative post. I made my purchase in Printemps Haussmann on January 9th and did all the appropriate stamping. I have not yet received my refund. I know you said it could take 3-6 months. Is there a way to track the refund status?
Thanks again!
Hello Ruby,
If you used global blue you can track it using this link: https://www.globalblue.com/tax-free-shopping/refund-tracker/
Hope that helps.
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane!
You stated above the boxes do not need to be packed. However, I read on the Global Blue website that the “goods should be in its original packaging”. Is there a website you found the info that the boxes are not needed? I prefer not to bring the boxes but want to make sure I do not have issues when claiming the VAT at the airport. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hey Christine,
I’ve personally never had issues with this, nor has anyone I know with not keeping the boxes. Make sure you keep the dust bag, and the tags. This should be enough for the refund and you won’t have issues claiming the VAT tax.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
I am travelling to EU and will like to purchase some luxury items from Paris.
I’ll be leaving Paris from Gare du Lord via train to Zurich Switzerland HB station.
Understand that I can’t drop the detax form in Zurich airport.
I didn’t read about the customer officer on board till i see your reply. Can you tell me more about the procedure?
Is there VAT Tax mailbox at Zurich airport or Zurich HB station?
Please help me with my doubts. Thanks in advance
Hello Kin,
Once you are on board, officers will help you with the VAT Tax refund. From what I remember there is a mailbox at the Zurich HB station, if it has been removed the Zurich airport is only about 10 minutes away and they 100% have one.
I hope that helps! If you are worried ask questions when you are there, and if the person doesn’t know or you don’t feel like they sound confident in their answer, ask someone else!
Hope that helps,
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane!
I’m not flying out of Paris but Barcelona. My flight is at 6am but the tax refund office is open at 8am. Generally, are there kiosks that will help assist when the tax refund office is not in service? Or will I not get my refund because my flight was earlier than the office can open? Thanks in advance for your help!
Hello Ryan,
There will still be kiosks that you can use, but the office won’t be open to answer any questions. So you will still be able to process your refund.
Hopes that help!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
I will be making my purchases in Paris but leaving the EU from Amsterdam, Netherlands.
I will take the train from Paris to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Could you please guide me how I can submit my tax refund paper?
Should I get a stamp in Paris train station or Amsterdam airport?
Best
Hello Jane,
Thank you for your message! You will file all your paperwork at the Amsterdam airport.
Hope that helps and you have a great time shopping in Paris!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
I have a morning flight out of Paris CDG airport. Are the refund counters open 24×7. How early should one get to the airport ?
Hello Anisha,
Thank you for your message! Great question, the refund counters are open around the clock. There won’t be as many workers working the early shift so I definitely recommend you get there early to give yourself plenty of time to process the refund (budget for about 1 hour to process the refund paperwork, and time in case you need to wait in line).
Then also make sure you get to the airport early for customs, security etc.
Hope that helps
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
I will be travelling to Paris and then will take train to Belgium and then Netherlands and finally will reach to Frankfurt and will leave Europe from Frankfurt. What I understand that there is no Kiosk at Paris Nord train station. Could you please guide me how I can submit my tax refund paper?
Thanks in advance!!
Hello Amrita,
Great question! If your last stop is in Frankfurt you would submit your tax refund paperwork in Frankfort and not in Paris even though you made the purchase in Paris.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
We visited Germany and France last summer. We completed all the refund info at Galleries Lafayette and got home and mailed the form in. I received my refund from Germany but nothing from our France VAT tax. How/who do I follow up with to get my refund from France.
Hello Laura,
If you processed the refund last summer, you should have already received the refund from Galieries Lafayette. Please use this tracker to check the status of the refund https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/tax-refund-tracker/
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane!
My cousin recently purchased a Dior item for me from La Fayette Paris. She was told that tax refund for any purchase above EUR 400 have to be done at the airport and not the boutique. When she went to the airport, the staff told her the tax refund should have been done at La Fayette. Pls advise how should I proceed with this?
Hello Aisyah,
Thank you for your message! She would need to process the refund at the airport. Then it takes 3-6 months to receive back on her credit card. After the purchase, she had to go to a special area to get the VAT TAX refund paperwork in order to process the refund. Do you know if she got this paperwork?
Best,
Diane
Is VAT tax refund available for luxury items purchased at Consignment shops?
Hello Mary,
Great question, yes it is available for vintage luxury consignment shops in Paris. Make sure you ask them for the paperwork if they don’t automatically give it to you.
Hope that helps and you have a great time shopping in Paris!
Best,
Diane
One important thing to note here that this author Diane doesn’t point out. If you do make the purchase WITHOUT your valid passport, for an example in Paris France. You can return in TWO days with the passport and perhaps get the VAT paperwork processed. At least according to a Le Bon Marche De Taxe 3rd flr. desk. Just bring your original passport to preclude the huge hassles making new purchases. Some merchants have allowed purchases with passport’s photo copy. Especially around Christmas.
Hello Harlan,
Thank you for your comment! I appreciate you sharing this information about Le Bon Marche! It’s important to note, that it’s not a guarantee that every shop will process the refund 2 days later without a passport and/or a copy of a passport.
Kind Regards,
Diane
Hello,
Thank you for the information. I purchased the jewelry at the Galleries Lafayette store in Paris, on the same day I scanned the papers/receipts in the Galleries Lafayette tax machine, I have chosen to refund my card, and got a green check mark.
Did I still need to stamp the paperwork at the airport and drop them in the Pablo box? Or, as soon as you get the green check mark at the Galleries Lafayette self-service machine you do not need to do anything more? Please, let me know.
Hello Mary,
Thank you for your message! From my understanding, once you get the green check mark, you are good to go. When you get to the airport, you will still have to declare the items to the customs officer. Make sure you keep all your paperwork, and the items you purchase in your carry on. I would also double-check to make sure you don’t have to drop the paperwork into the mailbox at the airport.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi,
Do you know if you receive the entire refund amount at the same time? I purchased three items from three different stores, got refund for one currently, but still waiting on the other two. I did it through the kiosk and asked for the the money to be refunded onto the credit card.
Thanks!
Tian
Hi Tian,
Thank you for your message! That’s a great question, since each store has to process the refund it varies from store to store. Some are processed quicker than others, which is why you see one refund but are still waiting on the other 2. Depending on when you went to Paris, sometimes there is a delay if they have to process several refunds (typically during the busy season). I know they say 30-60 days, but I’ve seen refunds take up to 6 months.
Hope that helps!
Kind Regards,
Diane
Hi Diane, I’ll be leaving Paris from Gare du Nore train station to UK. May I know if I can get cash VAT refund at Gare du Nore train station? Thanks
Hello Ling,
Thank you for your message – you will be able to process the VAT refund at Gare Du Nore, but not receive the Cash refund.
Hope that helps and you have a great time in Paris
Best,
Diane
I followed the process at a PABLO kiosk at CDG airport prior to my departure but didn’t put the paperwork in a drop box at the airport. I still have hardcopies of the paperwork and wonder if it needs to be submitted in order to receive my VAT refund? Is there anything else that I need to do? I would hate not to receive the refund because I didn’t understand the process or didn’t complete the process. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Hello Nancy,
Thank you for your message! Do you remember if when you scanned the document that you got an approved message or a message saying to see customs officer? From my understanding, since Covid – the CDG Pablo Kiosk make it so you don’t have to drop it in the “mailbox” section as long as you didn’t receive the error message.
If you want to mail the documents, just to be sure you receive your refund, look at the tax document and towards the top there will have an address on there on where to mail it. But make sure you make a copy of it before you mail it.
Hope that helps.
Kind Regards,
Diane
Hi, I will be travelling from Paris to Switzerland. I read online that the French officer might not be on the train all the time. Do you know if this is true?
And if he is not on the train, we are supposed to get it stamped at the custom office. Do you know where are these offices at?
If I don’t get any stamp, can I still drop my refund letters into the tax refund box?
Thank you!
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for your message – I’ve not heard of anyone having issue with the customs officer not being on the train from Paris to Switzerland.
If there is not someone on board, from my understanding, you would process it at the Geneva Airport’s French side.
I do not recommend you drop your refund into the tax refund box if it hasn’t been scanned nor stamped.
Hope that helps!
Kind Regards,
Diane
I will be making my purchases in Paris but leaving EU from Switzerland. Understand I cannot drop my detax form at Switzerland airport. I will be taking train from Gare de Lyon to Zurich Bachmattstrasse Station, do you know if Zurich Bachmattstrasse has the refund box? How do I identify the Customs Officer when he is on board?
Hello Dorothy,
Thank you for your message! The officers will be dressed in uniform and they will announce who they are on board. From what I remember there are mailboxes at the Zurich station, however, I’m 100% sure there are mailboxes at the Zurich airport which is about 10 minutes away from the station.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
I think this is so complicated process at airport since no clear information is provided. Apparently you need to scan documents before Check in but no US person has to go through customs check before you go to immigration by default. Amercian airline staff told me to Scan docs after immigration which was not true. Before I go to gate, there was detax counter where he told me right process which was too late. I think it is made complicated so minimum refund is given to people. Also if you have liquids volume which can not be taken through security how can you carry those items in carry on. Also for such refund so many trees are cut by providing papers. Horrible
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. I agree the process is complicated, which is why I try to provide you with the most relevant information, as I have helped many people do the VAT TAX refund process in Paris.
Kind Regards,
Diane
Hi, thank you for such an informative post!
I’ll be flying to Europe and visit France, but i’ll be leaving EU from Switzerland. Means, i can’t drop the detax form in Swiss’ airport right?
I’ll take train from France to Montreux from Gare de Lyon, do you know if Montreux station has the refund box? My transit in Lausanne will be 7 mins only and I don’t think it will be enough to get things done. Any advice for me?
Hello Susan,
Thank you for your message!
Since Switzerland is not part of the EU you will have to process the VAT Tax refund before you get to Switzerland. So yes, you are correct, you cannot drop the form off at the Swiss Airport.
If you are leaving from Gare De Lyon there is actually no VAT Tax refund machine at the train station. There will be a customs officer who goes around on board to process your VAT Tax. Make sure you have your purchase readily available to show the officer. Once you arrive at your destination, there will be a VAT Tax mailbox you will drop it off at. I’m not 100% sure if there is a tax refund drop box in Montreux, but I know there is one in Lausanne. I would recommend asking the officer when you are on board.
Hope that helps!
Kind Regards,
Diane