How to return tax free. How is the Tax Free refund amount calculated? Important nuances of applying for Tax Free at the border

20.07.2022

The Soviet era of total deficit has long passed. Domestic counters literally "groan" from imported abundance. The era is gone, but the harmful bacillus that prompts our compatriots to look for exclusive gizmos in the West has taken root in our minds forever. And it doesn't matter that you have to overpay for this "exclusive" (which has ceased to be such for 20 years already). Do the math: air tickets, visas, hotels, transfers - all this eventually translates into solid numbers. Maybe that's why (in order to sweeten the expensive pill), the leadership of the EU countries came up with for the Russians, Chinese, Japanese TAX FREE?

And the EU leadership is also making sure that we remember for a long time the long tails of queues “for something” in the beautiful Soviet era. After all, it is almost impossible to get a refund after shock shopping in Italy without tedious waiting. But, jokes aside, our story is on a serious topic. So…

Dedicated to all Russians shopping in Italy...

What is TAX FREE?

International VAT refund system for non-EU residents. This means that Russians (Chinese, Arabs, Japanese) who make a trip to Italian shops can alleviate the bitterness of losing their money by returning a small percentage.

What is the refund amount?

In different countries, the percentage of TAX FREE is different. Tax-free in Italy - 22%. It's official. In fact, its value varies greatly. Shops enter into unfavorable contracts for tourists with intermediaries, which we will talk about later. As a result, a Russian citizen receives 11-13% instead of 22%. The exception is exclusive stores (jewelry, fur). In them, the returned amount sometimes reaches several thousand euros.

Minimum purchase value

The total amount of purchases is over 155 €. They must be completed during the day and certainly in one store, less often - in one trading house. For example, Milan Center La Rinascente at the Global Blue office issues a common tax free invoice for all purchases in different boutiques.

Which stores provide Tax Free?

We noticed shop windows, on the glasses of which there is a logo or global blue, or Tax refund or Premier Tax Free- that way. There are more than 18,000 such outlets in Italy.

How to ask the seller about Tax Free?

After selecting the product and going to the checkout, say: "Tax Free, Perfavore". Say the phrase before making a purchase.

What documents are required?

Personally with you - a passport. For large purchases, branded equipment (for example, Apple) without a passport, a discount will not be issued.

The store must issue:

Fattura- a special invoice, which indicates: the amount of the purchase (as in the check) and the amount of the return (without this figure, the customs officers will not put the necessary stamp). Sellers can fill in your personal data themselves or ask you to do so.

Return methods

In the city before leaving.
At the airport of Rome, Milan, Naples, Rimini, Verona, Pisa, Bologna.
In Moscow.

Return in the city

Without waiting for the return flight, you can return the tax free at the city offices of the return points. A list of Global Blue offices is available at globalblue.ru. The list of TAX Refund points is available at taxrefund.it. Going for money, grab:

Product.
fattura.
The passport.
Return ticket.
Credit card.

The tax-free return procedure looks like this. Employees, after checking the checks, pay money, while fixing the credit card data. You undertake, in turn, to send stamped checks to the address of the office in due time. Otherwise, the amount paid and a fine for non-fulfillment of the contract will be debited from the card.

Expensive fur and jewelry boutiques provide this service without intermediaries. This is the most favorable return for the buyer. Such stores return the maximum percentage (22%). That is, you buy a product "cleared" from value added tax (VAT).

For stamped checks in a branded envelope (it is issued with fattura), special boxes are installed at the airport. The envelope can be sent from Russia by mail, gluing the necessary stamps.

Standard return procedure at Italian airports

Take your boarding pass.
Approach the dogana (customs office) with documents (coupon, passport, checks, fattura) and with things bought in the country. Do not remove labels from products.
The customs officer, having checked the purchases and checks, puts a stamp.
Find points global blue, or Tax refund or Premier Tax Free and show stamped checks.
You receive money in cash or leave your credit card details, to which the entire amount will be transferred in 3-5 days.

Yaroslav, Petersburg:

“At the Rome airport (in January 2019) I left my card details. I waited 2 weeks in vain. I thought my blood was crying! It's good that I kept a piece of paper with a phone from Premier Tax Free. Called. I had to "roar" in Italian-English. Received mine after 3 weeks. Bad story."

Rome. Tax Free at Aeroporto di Fiumicino

There are 2 customs offices in the building. The first one is intended for passengers who wish to send items bought in Italy as luggage. Huge queues in which it is easy to lose 2 hours are 100% inevitable. The undoubted plus of this item is a superficial inspection of purchases.

Olga, Petrozavodsk:

“I once got TAX FREE by showing a used Naf Naf dress instead of a purchased Max Mara outfit.”

You will see the second dogana behind the store. Salvatore Ferragamo after going through passport control. This dogana has a procedure for those who “prefer to carry everything with them” rather than check it in as luggage. The queue here is small, but things are examined more carefully.

In front of this customs crowd of people at the window global blue. An immediate refund occurs in this window. Stock up on patience and time (the final step will take another 40 minutes).

Milan. Tax Free at Aeroporto di Milano - Malpensa

The first customs office (registration hall) checks checks more quickly than the point behind passport control. In the window Premier Tax Free(return) for some reason there are always fewer people than in the other two. Experienced shoppers in Milan know this and initially look for stores that have contracts with this intermediary firm. The return office opening hours can be found at airportmalpensa.com.

Vera, Tula:

“The worst airport in terms of money back! Active Arabs, disciplined Chinese visit Milan with the only mission - to collect more goods. Three-hour lines, noise, hassle. You don't wish it on your enemy! Passengers who are lost in lines are often called over the loudspeaker, and they drop everything and run to the plane.”

Rimini. Tax Free at Aeroporto di "Federico Fellini"

Map of Federico Fellini airport.

The customs office is located next to the check-in counters for aircraft flying to Russia. Customs officers are extremely picky: they open the boxes, check the letters on the shop receipt with the letters on the product label. The screening takes 20 (at least) minutes.

Cash points are located on the second floor. You need to get to them before going through passport control.

Moscow. Return Tax Free

In Moscow, a refund is carried out:

First Czech-Russian Bank;
SMP Bank;
Intesa;
Promsvyazbank;
MDM Bank.

Payments may not be made by all Moscow branches of banks, therefore, before you go for blood money, call and specify the address of the desired branch. The checks you present must be stamped by Italian customs officials.

Do not forget!

TAX FREE checks for Italian purchases are valid for 3 months. Make sure you meet this deadline!
With each Fattura, upon receipt of cash, a commission is charged - 3 €.

farewell parable

At the planning meeting, the director of the holding instructs managers:
- Ask the client what he wants more: a discount or the product itself. If the discount is more important to him, offer the product for a triple price with a 50% markdown - let him rejoice!

Sometimes, when picking up goods worth more than 155 €, an excited customer does not notice that she is choosing an unnecessary item (skirt, trousers). At home, she sighs in disappointment: “Why did I grab this?”. Benefit as a result - zero. Don't make mistakes!

We refund money for purchases from 25 euros when traveling around Europe and the world. And we don't pay taxes.

Tax Free is an international value added tax (VAT) refund system. Travelers shopping abroad do not have to pay this part of the cost of goods and services because they are not residents of other countries. VAT on goods purchased on foreign trips can be refunded. As a rule, it is reimbursed from purchases for a certain amount in one store (or shopping center) on the same day. You can return from 3 to 20 percent or more. Understanding all this is not easy. Yes, and there may not be time. As a result, you lose money. We recommend preparing for the Tax Free refund in advance. Then it will be easy to arrange it.

What else you need to know about Tax Free

The system operates worldwide, but is best developed in Europe. In addition to European countries, the tax can be refunded, for example, in Turkey, Israel, Argentina, South Africa, Singapore, Mexico and other countries. Each of them sets the minimum amount that you need to spend in order to return VAT. There may be several goods, but they should be paid with one check. Some large department stores and malls, such as London's Harrods or Spain's El Corte Inglés, count as one store.

So the minimum amount in Italy is 155 €, in Greece - 120 €, in Spain - 90 €, in Lithuania - 48 €, in Germany - 25 €. The amount of VAT also differs from country to country and from one product group to another. However, the amount of tax does not mean that you will receive exactly this share of the amount spent. The operator company that helps to return the funds will take its percentage. The approximate cost of the return can be calculated on the website of one of the operators - the Swedish company Global Blue. Further, we will talk mainly about her.

It is the largest Tax Free refund company in the world. Based in Sweden. Its offices (points of return) are located in 37 countries. In second place is the Irish Premier Tax Free (20 offices). There are several other companies, for example, the Spanish trading house El Corte Inglés has its own Tax free system. Partly you decide who to return the money from, partly it's a matter of chance. Stickers are pasted on the doors and shop windows, as well as at the cash registers - they can be used to determine where which operator is. Global Blue cooperates with 300,000 stores around the world. In Barcelona there are 90% of them. That is a lot of shops. If there is no sticker - ask.

How to make purchases

Food and non-food products are considered separately - they cannot be “mixed” in the check, it is better to purchase goods from one of the groups up to the minimum amount, even if we are talking about 1 euro.

After paying for purchases at the checkout, ask the seller to issue Tax Free. In a small store, this will happen there. There are special counters in shopping centers. You will be asked to fill out a short form, which will contain all the information about the return: date of purchase, your passport details, home address with zip code, store details. An example of filling out the Global Blue form can be found here. You will need a passport or a copy of it (mandatory). All information must be triple checked. An error in a letter or number can cause a refusal at the next stages of the return - do not relax, there are several more.

Another, slightly faster way is the Global Blue personalized card (SHOP TAX FREE Card). It will have all your data on it. The seller counts them from the card and prints out the completed form. In order to issue a card, register on the operator's website. Previously, the cards were plastic - they were delivered by regular mail. From December 13, 2016, Global Blue issues only virtual cards. It can be shown to the seller directly on the smartphone. But regular cards still work. It is important to remember that each card is individual. It cannot be transferred to another person, even close relatives.

What happens next: In some European countries, purchases are sometimes sealed with a special tape. The Tax Free receipt along with the check will be glued on top. In this case, it is better not to open the purchase. However, even if they were not sealed, it is not worth unpacking the boxes (or carrying things) before returning home. The tax can only be refunded on goods that have not been used in the EU. For information on other countries, check in stores or on the Global Blue website in the "FAQ" section.

In addition, not all goods can be returned Tax Free. The “returnable” categories include all manufactured goods: clothing, shoes, jewelry, household items, watches, household and electronic equipment.

To "non-returnable": alcohol and tobacco, medicines, weapons, antiques, books and souvenirs, food, as well as various services. The exact lists of goods and services differ from country to country. Or the refund amount for individual groups will be lower than for popular clothes, shoes and equipment. For example, VAT in Poland for medicines is only 8% instead of 23% for other groups of goods.

Tax Free can also be returned for purchases in online stores.

What to do at customs

At customs at the airport (or train station), check in for your flight, but do not rush to check in your luggage. In the customs service, the Tax Free receipt and checks from stores must be stamped. This is a very important point - without seals, they will not be considered valid, wherever you turn with them later. So you confirm the export of goods from the country. Customs officers may ask you to show your purchases - therefore, they cannot be checked in as luggage, as well as unpacked. You should apply for Tax Free in the European Union only once in the last country, before flying home, or in a third country outside the EU if you are traveling in several countries.

At major airports, customs can be located anywhere - arrive a few hours in advance. Another reason to take your time is long queues during the tourist season or the sales season. There may be many people who want to return VAT, and you simply will not have time to go through all the stages of the return. At the same time, travelers agree that it is more difficult to issue Tax Free at night than during the day - there may not be employees at customs, and in general there are fewer departures at night.

It is necessary to stamp the Tax Free form filled in the store within a certain period of time from the date of purchase, depending on the country. Somewhere this period is small, somewhere - impressive. In Italy, the Czech Republic and Lithuania - three months, in France - six months, in Germany and Spain - four and five years, respectively. This means that during this time the goods must leave the country once they have been purchased. A stamped receipt is also valid for a certain time: from a month (in Switzerland) to infinity (in Spain and Austria), but in most European countries - three months. During this period, you are entitled to a refund. Read on for how to do this.

How to receive the money

There are three main ways and one unexpected:

1. At the airport at the return points of the operator- they are located after passing inspection and customs. They must include representatives of the tax operator. Money is returned in cash or to a card account. If you choose the first option, then the Global Blue service fee will be from 3% and the total amount will be less than in the store receipt. If the second - without it. Money is returned in the currency of the purchase, or in US dollars. If you bought in euros and returned in dollars, you will be charged a commission again. Therefore, it is more profitable to return funds not in cash, but on a card and in the currency of purchase - your bank will make the conversion itself (if necessary).

2. Self mail. To do this, put the Tax Free form with a check in a special envelope of the operator (ask at the store) - it should also be stamped by customs. Drop the envelope in the box at the same return point, or send it by regular mail from your home country. This method is suitable for those who, for some reason, did not get to the operator after customs - they arrived at the airport late, or did not want to stand in line. The return address is printed on the check, on the envelope and on the Global Blue website.

3. In a bank that cooperates with operators. For Global Blue, this is Intesa Bank. In Russia, a refund can be made in four cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov and Kaliningrad. As in the first case, Global Blue will charge a service fee of a few percent for a cash refund. It is more profitable to return to the card. Terms of transfers are standard: 3-5 working days.

Unexpected. In rare cases, Tax Free are ready to return in the store immediately after the purchase and filling out the form. But it will still need to be stamped at customs and the form sent from home by mail back to the store to confirm that the goods have been exported. If you do not do this within the prescribed period, your card will be debited in the amount of the amount that has already been returned to you. This also applies to online purchases, but after the goods leave the country. For example, you spend 100 euros, export the goods (put stamps on the border), confirm the fact of export, the funds are returned to the card.

What prevents the return

Subject to all other conditions, they may refuse if you have completed the documents incorrectly: you made mistakes in the Tax Free receipt or did not stamp at customs. Fill out the form should be clean - without a lot of corrections.

The same applies to the customs seal - the name of the checkpoint should be read on it - this is important if you return money through a bank in your home country. Bank employees should read its name.

Another likely reason for rejection is incorrect dates. The Tax Free form and cash receipt must be issued on the same day. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, in Spain, purchases in the same store on different days are summed up. In Germany, goods under the same brand are also counted as one receipt. It is impossible to learn the tax rules of all countries. In order not to get confused - find out about the return conditions in each specific country (store and each Tax Free operator) before making purchases.

Finally, you will definitely not be able to return the money for Tax Free if you are a tax resident of this country.

Tax Free is a value added tax refund system for a purchase made by a foreign citizen.

Value added tax is included in the final price of the goods. This money is transferred by the seller to the state budget, from where it is distributed to various social programs. Foreigners are not involved in the social mechanisms of the country, and therefore are exempt from paying tax. This right is formalized not through a discount, but through the return of overpaid money after leaving the country.

How much can you save

The amount of money refunded depends on the amount of value added tax established in the particular country where the purchase was made. The minimum share is , which is exactly the size of Tax Free set in Japan. Hungary remains the most generous in the list of countries providing Tax Free: by default, 27% of the price is returned here.

At the same time, the amount returned in reality can be significantly less than the amount that the tourist expects. Money is usually returned through a third-party organization with which the store has a contract. For services, the intermediary will keep part of the funds for himself. The largest companies working with Tax Free are Premier Tax Free, Global Blue, Innova Tax Free.

What to buy to get Tax Free

In most countries, you can get a tax refund when buying clothes, shoes, household and electronic appliances, watches and jewelry.

However, books, food, medicines, souvenirs and services may not be subject to VAT refund regulations for foreigners.

How to get Tax Free

To make a purchase

A corresponding sticker is placed on the door or window of the store that provides checks for the return of Tax Free. The information is usually in English, so you don't have to be a polyglot to understand it.

The sticker will also indicate the name of the company through which you will process the return.

Issue Tax Free Checks

To return Tax Free, you need the seller to issue special checks. In any country, they can be requested using the keywords Tax Free check or Tax Free form. This document is attached to a standard cash receipt. For paperwork, you will need a passport or a photocopy of it. Make sure that all personal data is transferred to the form correctly, as errors can be the basis for refusing to refund the tax.

easytaxfree.com

Each country has a minimum amount for which Tax Free checks are issued. For example, in Germany it is 25 euros, in France - 175 euros, in the Netherlands - 50 euros, in the UK - 30 pounds sterling, in Argentina - 70 Argentine pesos, in Japan - 5 thousand yen.

Purchases for this amount must be issued in one check. Large shopping centers sometimes have special departments that will collect data about your purchases from different stores into one common document.

Food and non-food items cannot be entered in one check.

Stamp at customs

When you leave the country where the purchases were made, you must affix an export stamp to customs. To do this, service employees need to present receipts and goods in packaging, with no signs of use. For credibility, you can save branded packages of stores.

The states of the European Union are considered a single zone, so you need to put a mark on the export in the country through which you leave the EU.

The stamp is affixed in a special office at the customs, it is worth looking for it on the Tax Free office plate. If it is located before the check-in desks, just contact it and get the appropriate stamps. Sometimes the customs clearance office for Tax Free is located behind the check-in counters. In this case, transfer the items purchased in the country to hand luggage so that there is something to confirm the fact of purchase.

Checks have their own expiration date, during which you need to put a customs stamp on them. Most often, documents should be stamped within three months from the date of purchase. In Switzerland, Norway, Morocco, the period has been reduced to one month.

Get money

There are three ways to return VAT in material terms:

1. At the airport

With customs stamped checks, contact the Tax Refund office of the intermediary company listed in your documents. The required amount can be paid in cash or transferred to the card, the details of which you provide.

For the issuance of tax in cash, the company can withhold interest, the funds will come to the card without deductions.

Some companies install special mailboxes at airports where you can drop a check with a customs stamp and the number of the bank card to which the funds will come.

2. When crossing the border by land

The Tax Refund office may be located at the checkpoint. In this case, you need to get a stamp from the employees of the department, and then apply for a refund.

3. Through mail

Send the check with the customs stamp to the intermediary company by mail. The address must appear on the document itself. Don't forget to enter your credit card number on the form. Money will come to the account on average in 1-2 months.

4. At the bank

In some cases, you can return the money in one of the banks that cooperates with the intermediary company for the payment of Tax Free. Global Blue issues money in Kaliningrad, Moscow and St. Petersburg through Intesa Bank, in Pskov - through AKB Slavia; Innova Tax Free - through SMPbank in Moscow, Chelyabinsk, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg. A complete list of financial institutions that issue money can be seen on the website of your intermediary.

In rare cases, the tax can be returned to you in the store immediately after the purchase. However, then you will definitely need to send a Tax Free check with a customs stamp by mail, otherwise the amount issued will be debited from your card.

Why can a tax refund be denied?

The Tax Free form is filled with errors.
You didn't get a customs stamp to take the items out of the country where you bought them.
The dates on the cash receipt and the Tax Free form do not match. This rule is not observed in all countries. For example, in Spain, purchases made in the same store on different days are summarized.
According to the instructions, you can apply for VAT with a check on which a customs stamp is affixed, within a period of three months (Belgium, Greece, Morocco, and so on) to infinity (Netherlands, Lithuania, Lebanon). In practice, it is better not to delay applying for money, otherwise you may be refused.

Do not forget to return VAT and "recapture" part of the money. How to get money through the Tax Free system quickly and without too much fuss, read in our life hack.

What is Tax Free and why can it be returned?

Even if you were expelled from Narxoz in disgrace, you know that all goods in the store are subject to value added tax (VAT or VAT - Value Added Tax). In each country, citizens and tax residents pay it, but tourists are not required to pay. Since convincing the seller that you are a tourist, and therefore you have to pay a quarter less, is not very effective (unless, of course, you are in), then, leaving the country, you can return VAT in a civilized manner. And this, for a moment, is from 3% to 33% of the cost of goods.

To bring all returns to a common denominator, there are international companies that deal with VAT refunds - Global Blue, Premier Tax Free (elite brands like Christian Dior, Gian Franco Ferre, Yves Saint Laurent), Tax Free Worldwide, Litofolija Tax Free (in the territory Lithuania). Most likely, you will deal with Global Blue - it is a confident dominant in the returns market. Therefore, we will concentrate on it.

There are three ways to receive your money with Global Blue: in cash at the Global Blue ticket office at the train station or at the airport, to a bank card or pick up at a bank in your country. By the way, VAT cannot be refunded on items you ordered from Ali Express, Asos, or your favorite online store abroad. If you shop in Poland, then remember - you can not return the tax for the provision of services and fuel. In Lithuania they do not give Tax Free for alcohol and tobacco. Only in Spain and Turkey are they ready to refund VAT for everything.

What do you need to do in the store to get money?

In order to issue Tax Free, you need to purchase a certain amount (in one check). The minimum differs from country to country. For example, in Lithuania you need to make purchases for € 55, in Poland - € 70 (PLN 300), and in Germany € 25 is generally enough. Check the amount of purchases and returns on the Global Blue website - everything is very clear there.

Look for the Global Blue sticker on the store doors and at the checkout. Do not be too lazy to ask the employee if the store is included in this program, if there is no sticker - believe me, the benefit is worth it. When paying for a purchase, do not forget to ask for the Tax Free form - you fill it out yourself. In the form, indicate the passport number, first and last name, home address with zip code, country of residence and e-mail. The form must be signed. Don't forget to show your passport! If you screw up at this step, the money will definitely not be returned. The Tax Free check must be issued on the same day as the invoice.

What to do with Tax Free at the border?

At the border, ask the customs officer to put a personal stamp on the Tax Free check. If you are leaving the EU, you will need a customs stamp from the last EU country you are leaving. By the way, if you are traveling to Belarus on a scheduled trip, there will most likely not be a stop for Tax Free.

You also need to “stamp” documents in a timely manner: if you export purchases from Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Italy, Holland or England - within three months, from France or the Czech Republic - six months, but you can print on receipts and documents from Austria or Spain put at any time.

Customs will stamp you only on unused purchases in factory packaging. If you decide to issue a return on purchases from the grocery store, be prepared that you will have to present everything to the last candy.

Please note: the stamp from the border has an expiration date. For example, if you want to return VAT on goods from Poland, Lithuania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy or France, you need to turn around 3 months in advance.

How and when to withdraw money?

There are three options to return everything due.
1. The option is fast. Collect money at the airport at Tax Free Cash Refund. You will need a Tax Free receipt with a shop receipt and a passport. Look for such a return point near the Duty Free store - you can also successfully drain all the savings there. Check the full list of return points on the company's website.
2. Option optimal. Collect money upon arrival in Belarus. VAT refund is done by Technobank - already in three places. Be sure to bring the original documents - copies will not work.
3. Hypothetical option. Seal the documents (Tax Free check and check from the store) in a special Global Refund envelope (if it was given to you in the store) and put it in the mailbox. In this case, the money goes to the card, the account number (usually 16 digits) of which you indicate in the documents. The address to which you need to send Tax Free checks is indicated on the Tax Free check, on the envelope issued by the store where the purchase was made, or on the official website of the company issuing Tax Free checks. Return time - 45 days. Such a system does not work in all countries - for example, it exists in Lithuania, but not in Poland.

In Technobank, they must return the entire amount indicated on the check. The only thing is that since recently, Global Blue itself has been charging a fee of € 1 (if you plan to return more than € 10). If you intend to collect cash at the airport, you will have to pay from € 3 commission (depending on the specific airport). Payments are made in the currency of the country where there is a return point, or in US dollars.

Can they refuse?

In some cases, you still may not get your money back. True, the likelihood of such a situation is minimal. The most common mistake that the bank will turn you away from is incorrectly issued checks or a large number of corrections in them. Among seasoned "returnees" of the VAT, there is a tale that instead of the surname and name, the holders of a Lithuanian visa often write "Sengeno valstybės" ("Schengen countries") on their checks. In any case, the documents should be carefully reviewed for errors - minor edits can be made on top, but with significant corrections, the chance of getting a refund tends to zero. Especially when it comes to passport data.

Another possible reason to stay with the nose is the wrong dates indicated on the Tax Free check. If they are ahead of the dates stamped on the cash receipt, you will not see a return.
Well, it’s banal: Tax Free checks are valid only with a customs stamp - you don’t even have to go to the bank without it, you’ll only waste time. The stamp must clearly read the date and name of the checkpoint. If the seal came out so-so, ask the customs officer to slap it again: believe me, it won’t be lost from him, but it can be completely from you if the bank doesn’t sort out the mark. But of course we believe in you. Everything will work out!

A photo: www.shopforgoodness.com, www.fortytravels.com, www.appletozebra.com

Tax tree (dachshund fries) - VAT refund system when making a purchase on the territory of a foreign state. The procedure for refunding part of the cost of goods is the same for all countries participating in the system, but there are differences in the amount of tax, the minimum purchase amount for the right to receive dachshund fries and other nuances that you need to familiarize yourself with in order not to lose money.

Who can get taxfree: VAT refund conditions

Refund part of the cost of a purchase made in a country - a member of the system TaxFree Shopping, it is possible under the simultaneous observance of several conditions:

lack of citizenship, refugee status, residence permit and work permit in the state where the purchase was made;
less than three-month one-time stay in the country;
purchase of goods for a certain amount: the lower limit of the purchase value that gives the right to receive dachshund fries, is set by the states individually (for example, in France it is 175 euros, and in Germany - only 25).

Important: in most countries, food and other food products, as well as tobacco, alcohol, printed products, precious metals and stones, and vehicles are not subject to VAT. So on return taxfree when buying cigarettes, books or a car, you don’t have to count.

Program TaxFree Shipping operates in all countries that are part of the European Union, as well as in Belarus, Argentina, Great Britain, Turkey, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, Lebanon, Israel, South Africa, Iceland and Uruguay. Russia is not among the participants in the system.

Important: system dachshund fries does not apply to online purchases, even if they were made in a foreign store.

Tax free return procedure

The main condition for the subsequent return of VAT is the purchase of goods in stores - partners of the system TaxFree. Usually this is evidenced by the corresponding signs on the front door. If in doubt, you can always check with the seller - for this it is not necessary to be fluent in a foreign language, just one phrase is enough: “ Tax free?».

Getting a receipt.

When making a purchase, the seller must provide a receipt dachshund fries(Global Refund Check or TaxFree Form - depending on the operator providing the return service), which indicates in Latin letters the last name and first name of the buyer, the country and city of his residence, as well as the date of purchase and the total cost of the purchased goods.

The data is filled in in accordance with the buyer's passport - therefore, it is mandatory to have its original or a copy with you. Most often, sellers draw up a receipt themselves, but sometimes they are limited only to putting down the purchase amount and issuing a cash receipt. In this case, you will have to fill out the form yourself.

Important: the integrity of the packaging of goods must be maintained until the refund. The same goes for tags, labels, labels and other insignia. In some stores at checkout taxfree the packaging is reinforced with special stickers or seals.

customs control.

Registration of the VAT refund begins immediately before returning home. Therefore, it is better to arrive at the place of departure (at the airport, train station, etc.) in advance - the procedure can be quite lengthy.

First step on the way back taxfree- customs office. If taxable items are in your hand luggage, you can go to the customs officers before check-in, otherwise it is better to do it after, since it will be more convenient to check in your suitcase in luggage right there.

The customs officer will check the integrity of the packaging of goods, make sure that there is a cash receipt, and then put a stamp on the receipt taxfree.

Important: when transiting or moving between EU countries, a refund is issued at the airport (seaport, etc.) of the last visited country before leaving for Russia, regardless of the place of purchase. For example, when buying goods in Germany with a subsequent flight to France, and from there to the Russian Federation, you should start the return procedure in France.

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Receiving the money .

Get dachshund fries in three ways: directly at the airport; in any Russian bank - partner of the system TaxFree shopping; or to a bank card - within a few weeks after leaving all the documents in a specially equipped box.

Getting money at the airport

VAT refund documents must be submitted to the VAT Refund point or TaxFree Refund, located in the area of international departures (in the same place as Duty Free). Often, operators provide the ability to select the currency of the refunded amount.

Leaving documents in a special box

The choice of this method of receiving money is advisable when there is a limited time - waiting for your turn in VAT Refund often takes from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. Receipt dachshund fries with a customs stamp and a cash receipt, you need to pack it in an envelope and put it in a box with the inscription " TaxFree"- usually it is located next to the point of issuing money. Before packing, write the bank card number on the receipt - the funds will be returned to it within 3-8 weeks.

Getting tax free in Russia

You can get information about banks providing VAT refund services on the operators' website TaxFree. To receive money at a bank branch, you need to present a receipt TaxFree Form, cash receipt and both passports - Russian and foreign.

Important: tax refund points for the purchase of goods abroad do not work in all bank branches - they are only in 10 cities of Russia. Therefore, if the way home lies through the capital, it is better to return the money there. Moreover, the period is limited - apply for a refund dachshund fries possible within 3 months from the date of purchase.

How to calculate tax free

Sum taxfree depends on the amount of value added tax established in the country in which the purchase was made. The run-up ranges from 7 to 21%. For example, in the Netherlands the VAT rate is 21%, in France - 19.6%.

For an accurate calculation of the amount to be refunded, it is better to use an online calculator - it is available on the website of any operator taxfree.

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that a certain percentage will be withheld as a commission for the service, and if we are talking about a non-cash return of money, there will also be a commission for converting into rubles (usually about 3-5%).

Tax free refund in Moscow

Get tax free in Moscow possible with receipt TaxFree Form with customs stamp and cashier's check. Refunds are made both in cash and on a bank card. Moreover, for this it is not necessary to be a citizen of Russia: a bank - a partner of the system will issue money upon presentation of any identity document indicated in the receipt.

With the program TaxFreein Moscow banks Intesa, SMP, Promsvyazbank, MDM and JSC Bank Russian Credit cooperate.

Tax free features in Germany

Since 2013, Italy has set a VAT rate of 22% (previously it was 20%), the minimum purchase price for dachshund fries dachshund fries

The VAT rate in Germany is 19%. Previously, the country set a maximum limit dachshund fries but has now been cancelled. Minimum purchase value to receive dachshund fries- 25 euros. That is, tourists can count on a refund of the full amount of tax minus commissions.

Obtaining procedure tax free in germany complies with the general rules, however, there are restrictions on the timing of customs control - a customs stamp must be affixed to TaxFree Form within 30 days of purchase.

Tax free features in Italy

In 2013, Italy set a VAT rate of 22% (previously it was 20%), the minimum purchase price for dachshund fries- almost 155 euros (154.94). A significant plus of Italian dachshund fries- the ability to issue a refund directly upon purchase, that is, in fact - to receive a discount equal to the VAT rate.

However, in practice, only elite stores that sell exclusive and very expensive goods provide such a service, the rest prefer to cooperate with operators. TaxFree.

You can return VAT in Italy both in the traditional way - when leaving the country, and at money issuing points located in large cities, for example, in Rome or Milan. But the latter is only possible if the service is provided by the Global Blue operator.

Stamp the customs office TaxFree Form is required within 3 months of the date of purchase.

Tax free features in Finland

Finland has the highest VAT rate in Europe - 23%. But in practice, it turns out to reimburse only 16% - the rest will be deducted by the operator as a commission.

The longest period for customs inspection is also set here - 6 months from the date of purchase of the goods. Eligibility taxfree occurs when buying a value of 40 euros.

GlobalBlue(Global Blue): tax free in 37 countries

The largest operator of the system Tax Free Shopping - Global Blue. VAT refund points are located in 37 countries, including Russia - however, there are only 10 cities where you can get money:

Moscow;
St. Petersburg;
Novosibirsk;
Chelyabinsk;
Kaliningrad;
Murmansk;
Monchegorsk, Olenegorsk and Polyarnye Zori (Murmansk region);
Rostov-on-Don.