From the fashionable streets of Paris to the beautiful countryside of Bordeaux, France is a captivating country that is both historically and culturally prominent. Known for its landmarks such as the Louvre Museum or the Eiffel Tower, the place is riddled with diverse art boutiques, cafes, and tasteful restaurants. And being the fashion capital of the world, it is natural for international travelers to indulge in extravagant shopping experiences.
France has implemented a tax-free shopping process. Through this process, non-EU residents will have the opportunity to get a VAT refund on the purchases made during their visit. The process for obtaining the requisite refund is fairly simple and can be completed without you having to do much of the legwork. To know how it works, continue reading our comprehensive guide in its entirety.
Here are the Steps to Claim Refund
Before you decide to obtain a refund on the VAT (Value Added Tax) paid on your purchases, keep in mind that there are some basic terms that you need to be aware of. For starters, if you are a non-EU national, then you must showcase a valid passport. On the other hand, if you are an EU national, then you must be living or residing in a third country to be eligible to get the refund. Additionally, you should also present your valid passport for the refund process.
To start the refund process, follow the steps mentioned below judiciously.
- When you will be making your purchase, ensure that you state to the retailer that you want to obtain a VAT refund on your purchase by showing your passport.
- The retailer or seller will then inform you regarding the VAT refund process and will provide you with an export sales form or a tax exemption form.
- Once you have obtained the export sales form, you need to get it stamped before you leave the country. There are three ways to do that: before the end of the third month following your month of purchase, when leaving the EU (European Union) from France, or before checking in with your luggage when leaving via air.
- Ensure that you get the form stamped at any PABLO barcode reader, which is conveniently located near the customs offices in international airports, seaports, or at border crossings.
- Once your form is scanned and approved, you will get your refund directly at the exit point from where you will be leaving. Alternatively, you can also decide to get the refund directly to your bank account via bank transfer. So, ensure that you let the retailer know your preferred mode of refund when purchasing your items or goods.
Please note that if you find no PABLO barcode reader, then head over to the customs counter at your exit point. Also remember that the customs authorities can check the eligibility of your VAT refund at any moment of your departure, so make sure you present your ID, travel ticket, and the goods eligible for the refund. Failure to present the goods during customs clearance can lead to your export sales form being cancelled.
How the Pablo Barcode Reader Works?
The PABLO barcode reader is an automated machine that works similar to an ATM machine. The process starts by first selecting your preferred language and then scanning the barcode on your export sales form. Once your barcode is scanned, a green screen with the message ‘OK, Form Valid,’ will be displayed. This means that the approval process has been successfully completed. However, if you face a red screen, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Know the Requirements
To enjoy a tax-free shopping experience in France, you need to be a non-EU resident or an EU national living in a non-EU country. Your age should be at least 16 years old, and you have been in France for less than six months. Additionally, the goods that you will be purchasing (for which you are claiming the VAT refund) should be for personal use, and your tax-free purchases should be more than 100 euros to qualify for this scheme. The purchases can be made from the same store or different stores within a period of 1-3 days. Lastly, you have to carry the purchased items yourself in your personal luggage on your departure to your resident country.
If you left France without completing the formalities for the VAT refund, you can still complete them in your resident country and obtain the tax refund. To do that, you need to first take your export sales form and the goods to your country’s French embassy or consulate. After that, you need to send in your request to the French customs authorities within six months of the purchase. With your request, you must enclose a photocopy of proof that you are a non-EU resident, a photocopy of your travel ticket, a photocopy of the VAT refund form (export sales form), the receipt obtained from the French embassy or consulate, and a letter explaining why you were unable to complete the VAT refund process.
For any further assistance, you can get in touch with the French customs authorities via phone at +33 1 72 40 78 50 or via email at ids@douane.finances.gouv.fr.
