Who can claim a VAT refund in France and how much you might recover

You can claim back VAT (value-added tax, called TVA in France) on goods you buy there if you are a non-resident of France and the European Union, and you take those goods out of the EU within three months of purchase. The refund covers the VAT portion of the price only — typically 20% on most items, though some goods like books and food carry 5.5% or 10%. You do not recover the base price, only the tax.

Residents of EU countries cannot claim VAT refunds on purchases within the EU, because VAT is treated as a domestic tax across member states. If you live in another EU country, you have no refund route. If you live outside the EU — in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, or elsewhere — you are may be able to access as long as you export the goods before the three-month window closes.

The amount you recover depends on the store's refund scheme and the VAT rate on each item. A €100 purchase with 20% VAT yields a €20 refund before processing fees. Stores typically deduct 1% to 3% as a handling charge, so you might receive €17 to €19 in practice. High-value purchases make the refund worthwhile; small purchases often do not cover the fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Only non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds in France, and you must export the goods within three months of purchase.
  • The refund covers VAT only (usually 20%), not the item's base price, and processing fees typically reduce the amount by 1% to 3%.
  • You must shop at stores displaying a VAT refund sign, request a refund form at the till, and have the form stamped by customs before you leave France.
  • Customs stamps the form at the airport or border; you then submit it to the refund company for payment by bank transfer, credit card, or cash.
  • Processing takes two to four weeks for bank transfers and is faster for credit card refunds, though some refund companies charge extra for expedited service.

Which stores participate and how to request a refund form at checkout

Not every shop in France offers VAT refunds. Look for the Tax Free Shopping, Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, or Refund logo in the window or at the till — these are the main refund companies operating in France. Department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps participate. Many smaller boutiques, especially in Paris, also do. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and budget chains often do not.

At checkout, tell the cashier you want a VAT refund form. You must make the request before you pay; you cannot return later and ask for one. The cashier will ask for your passport to confirm you are a non-resident. They will print a refund form (usually two or three copies) and attach it to your receipt. The form shows the item, the price, and the VAT amount. Keep all receipts and the form together — you will need them at customs.

There is no minimum purchase per item, but most stores set a minimum total purchase per transaction — often €100 to €150. If you spend less, the store may refuse to issue a form. Check with the cashier before you shop if you are close to the threshold.

Getting your refund form stamped at the airport or border

The refund form is worthless without a customs stamp. You must have it stamped before you leave France — at the airport, at a land border crossing, or at a port. This is the step many people skip or do incorrectly, and it voids the refund.

At the airport, find the customs desk in the departure hall. It is usually near the check-in counters or in a separate office; ask at information if you cannot locate it. Have your passport, the refund form, and the unused goods ready. The customs officer will inspect the items (they must be unused and in original packaging), stamp the form, and return it to you. This takes five to ten minutes. Do this before you check your bags if the goods are packed inside them.

If you are driving out of France, stop at a customs post at the border. These exist at major crossings into Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg. Smaller crossings may not have staffed customs posts; if so, you can mail the stamped form to the refund company later, though this delays processing. Ask the refund company for their mailing address before you leave France.

Do not leave France without the stamp. Once you are outside the country, customs cannot stamp the form, and the refund company will reject it.

Submitting the form and receiving your refund

After customs stamps the form, you have two options: submit it at the airport refund desk, or mail it to the refund company later.

Most airports have a refund desk in the departure hall or at the gate. You can hand over the stamped form there and receive cash, a credit card refund, or a bank transfer. Cash is instant but usually carries a fee of 2% to 3%. Credit card refunds take three to five business days. Bank transfers take longer — typically two to four weeks — because the refund company processes them in batches.

If you do not use the airport desk, mail the stamped form to the refund company's address (printed on the form) within a set timeframe, usually 30 days. Include a copy of your receipt and your contact details. The company will process it and send the refund to your bank account or credit card. This route is slower but avoids airport fees.

Keep a photo or photocopy of the stamped form for your records. If the refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, you will need proof you submitted it.

Processing times and what to do if your refund is delayed

Bank transfer refunds typically arrive in two to four weeks. Credit card refunds are faster — three to five business days. Cash refunds at the airport are immediate. These timelines assume the refund company receives the form within 30 days of your purchase and the form is correctly stamped.

Delays happen when customs does not stamp the form clearly, when the form is submitted after the 30-day window, or when the refund company is processing a high volume. If four weeks have passed and you have not received a bank transfer, contact the refund company using the reference number on your form. You will need the stamped form copy to prove you submitted it.

Some refund companies offer expedited processing for an extra fee — usually 5% to 10% of the refund amount. This is worth considering only for large refunds (€200 or more). For smaller amounts, the fee erases most of the benefit.

VAT rates on common items and what you cannot refund

Most goods in France carry a standard VAT rate of 20%. Books, newspapers, and magazines are taxed at 5.5%. Food, restaurant meals, and hotel stays are taxed at 5.5% or 10% depending on the category. Alcohol and tobacco are taxed at 20%. Luxury goods like jewelry and designer clothing are also 20%.

You cannot claim VAT refunds on services — only on physical goods you take with you. This means hotel bills, restaurant meals, car rentals, and museum tickets do not may have access to, even if they show VAT on the receipt. Goods you consume in France (food you eat there, fuel you use) also do not may have access to. The goods must leave France with you unused.

Some items are restricted. Certain medications require a prescription to be refunded. Goods over a certain value may require additional documentation. Ask the store before you buy if you are uncertain.

Common mistakes that cost you the refund

The most common error is forgetting to get the form stamped by customs. Without the stamp, the refund company will not process it. If you realize this after you have left France, contact the refund company immediately — some will accept a statutory declaration or other proof, but this is rare and slow.

The second mistake is packing the goods in checked luggage and not retrieving them for customs inspection. If customs cannot see the items, they will not stamp the form. Pack refundable goods in carry-on luggage or have them accessible at the customs desk.

The third mistake is waiting too long to submit the form. Most refund companies have a 30-day deadline from purchase. If you mail the form after this date, it will be rejected. Submit it at the airport or mail it within two weeks of purchase to be safe.

The fourth mistake is buying from a store without a refund scheme. Always check for the logo before you shop. If the store does not participate, you have no refund route, even if you meet all other conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a VAT refund if I live in another EU country?

No. VAT refunds are only for non-EU residents. If you live anywhere in the European Union, you cannot claim a refund on purchases in France, even if you are visiting. This includes UK residents, as the UK left the EU.

What if I buy something and then return it to the store — can I still get a VAT refund?

No. The refund form must be issued at the original purchase. If you return the item, the store will refund the full price (including VAT) as a return, not as a VAT refund. You cannot then request a VAT refund form for the same purchase.

Do I have to use the airport refund desk, or can I mail the form from home?

You can mail it, but the form must be stamped by customs before you leave France. Mail it to the refund company's address within 30 days of purchase. Processing will take longer than using the airport desk, typically four to six weeks for a bank transfer.

What happens if customs refuses to stamp my form?

Customs will refuse if the goods are used, opened, or missing original packaging. They may also refuse if the form is incomplete or illegible. If this happens, ask the customs officer what is wrong and whether you can correct it. If the form is damaged, ask if they can issue a replacement stamp. Once you leave the country, there is no way to recover the refund.

Can I claim a VAT refund on goods I buy online and have shipped to my home outside France?

No. VAT refunds require you to physically export the goods from France and have customs stamp the form. Online purchases shipped directly to your home do not may have access to. You must buy in-store and carry the goods out yourself.