In EU countries, you can see the Tax-Free badge on the doors of shops. Tax-Free is an international program of the Global Refund company that allows foreign tourists to receive a monetary refund of VAT included in the cost of the purchased goods. Foreigners who do not have a residence permit in the EU countries and who have arrived in the country for a period of no more than three months have the right to a refund. The refund amount ranges from 7 to 20% of the purchase amount, depending on the VAT percentage in a particular country.
Instructions
Step 1
In order to apply for Tax-Free, purchases must be made only in those stores where there is a corresponding badge. If there is no sign, check with the seller if the store issues Tax-Free checks.
Step 2
In each country there is a minimum amount for registration of Tax-Free. The lowest tariff in Germany is 25 euros. In Switzerland, the tariff is the highest at 400 euros. All purchases must be paid with one check. If you have made purchases in a supermarket and purchased non-food and food products at the same time, then Tax-Free can be issued for each group of goods separately. However, the amount of each group of goods must correspond to the minimum amount of Tax-Free in that country.
Step 3
After making a purchase, you need to ask the seller to issue a Tax-Free. To do this, you must present your passport. The seller will write you a receipt, which will indicate the purchases, their cost and the amount to be returned. You will need to enter your last name, first name, passport details and your address in the form and sign. A check is attached to the receipt form. In large shopping centers, a Tax-Free check is issued at a central checkout or at a customer service bureau.
Step 4
On the day of departure, you must arrive at the airport in advance in order to have time to get your money back. When you arrive at the airport, check the location of the refund point. In some countries it is up to the line of passport control, in others it is below the line.
It is advisable to pack purchased goods with price tags in one place, as you may be asked to show purchases.
If you leave the country by train, you can go through the refund procedure at the train station or in the compartment, when customs officers will check your documents at the border.
If you are traveling to several EU countries, it is necessary to stamp the check when leaving the country where the purchases were made.
If you are traveling by ferry, you will need to contact your local customs office and show your purchases before boarding.
Tourists traveling by car need to show their purchases and get a customs stamp on their check at the last border.
Step 5
If you did not manage to issue Tax-Free when leaving the EU, upon returning home, you need to contact the representative office of the country where the purchases were made and show them your passport, receipt and purchases. After receiving the customs stamp, you will need to contact Europe in the currency of your choice, however, you will be charged a commission. Value added tax refund offices are located at all major airports, train stations and highways.
The period between the purchase of the product and its export should not exceed three months.
