France VAT Refund Guide and Calculator - Upon (2024)

Refund Rates

France's refund rate is 12% of purchase amount, with a minimum purchase amount of 175.01 EUR per receipt. Pharmacy goods, food and books have reduced VAT rates. Cash refund rate for Premier Tax Free is around 10.8%.

You need to be older than 16 and have permanent residence in a non-EU country to be eligible.

Claiming Refund

1. Shop

Shop at a store that offers tax-free shopping. Spend the minimum amount required for VAT refund on a single receipt. Mention to the cashier that you'd like to obtain a VAT refund.

2. Obtain VAT refund form in store

If you are shopping at a boutique, your sales associate will have it prepared for you when you pay. If you are shopping at a large shopping center, this is usually obtained from a special VAT service counter within the building.

There are 3 ways to get your refund: in downtown, by cash at the airport, and via credit card or bank account. See below for the pros and cons of each option.

3. Custom Stamp

Regardless of how you choose to receive the refund, you must obtain a custom stamp on your VAT refund forms when you exit the EU.

Refund forms for Global Blue, Premier Tax Free and other processors should be mailed back to their respective locations. If you have generic tax forms, you may be able to use a refund app to submit forms electronically.

Tips

• When buying several items, try putting as many on the same receipt as possible. You can often get a higher rate of refund for larger purchases, and if you choose to get your refund by cash, the cash fee is usually per receipt.
• Keep your purchases on you for inspection. Don't check in your luggage before obtaining the custom stamp, unless instructed otherwise below.
• DO NOT consume the goods purchased prior to exiting the EU.
• There may be a line. Give yourself an extra hour allowance to do this before your flight.
• Take photos of your refund forms after stamping. In case things go wrong, you will need this as an evidence when contacting the refund company.

Refund Methods

Depending on your situation, choose the refund method that works best for you.

• Fast refund in city downtown. You can get cash or in some cases an electronic refund in supporting stores or downtown refund points. This is the fastest way to get your refund. However, you need to give the refund processor your credit card information, and you are obliged to make sure it receives your stamped tax form within a certain time limit, typically 15 - 25 days, starting from the day you get the refund. Otherwise your card will be debited with an additional fee.
• Cash refund at the airport. After stamping your forms, you can choose to get cash at refund kiosks at the airport. This is subject to a cash fee, usually around 3 EUR per receipt. Make sure you arrive at the airport early, as there may be a line. You will be refunded in the local currency, so there is no loss due to foreign exchange rates. This option is recommended if you have large-value receipts.
• Electronic refund by credit card or bank account. You don't need to wait in line for a cash refund, and you can avoid the cash fee. You will be refunded in the currency of your card or account. If it's in the same currency as the refund, this option can maximize your refund. However, if it's in a different currency, the foreign exchange rate may be suboptimal and you are subject to an additional 3% to 5% fee. This option is recommended if you have many small-value receipts.

Useful Information

PABLO

PABLO is the electronic VAT refund processing system for France. If you are exiting EU through France, you can use the PABLO kiosks at the airport for to validate your PABLO-enabled forms in lieu of a custom stamp.

• If the store has entered your card details on your VAT form, your refund will be credited automatically once your form has been validated at the kiosk. You don't have to mail in the forms. Keep the forms until you get your refund.
• If your card details are not included on your VAT form, you still need to mail in the PABLO verified forms.
• If your form is rejected by PABLO, or if you have non-PABLO-enabled forms (e.g. from another country), you need to manually stamp and mail them.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

VAT refund office locations

• 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

PABLO terminal locations

• Terminal 1: CDGVAL level, Hall 6
• Terminal 2A: Departures level, Gate 5
• Terminal 2C: Departures level, Gate 4
• Terminal 2E: Departures level, Gate 8
• Terminal 2F: Arrivals level
• Terminal 3: Departures level, airside

Paris Orly Airport (ORY)

VAT refund office locations

• South Terminal: Departures level, Gate G
• West Terminal: Arrivals level, Gate E

PABLO terminal locations

• South Terminal: Departures level, Gate G
• West Terminal: Departures level, Gate H

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)

Before passing through the security checkpoints and entering the departure lounge, declare your goods and get a stamp from the customs office or from a tax refund terminal in the arrivals hall (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2). Then get your VAT refunded at an Interchange bureau de change either in the public area near the customs office or in the departure lounge near the boarding gates.