Tax-free shopping in France
Yes. Visitors who live outside the EU can get back about 10–12% of the price on purchases of at least €100.01 by claiming the VAT (TVA) refund before they leave.
- VAT (TVA)
- 20%
- Minimum spend
- €100.01
- Net refund
- 10–12%
- Refund at till
- No
Minimum basis: Total over €100 incl. VAT at one retailer (or retailer group), bought over 1 to 3 consecutive days on one form
Who can claim
- You live outside the EU (residence decides, not passport).
- You are 16 or older.
- You stay in France less than 6 months.
How to get the money back
- Ask for a tax-free form (bordereau de vente à l'exportation, BVE) at the till and show your passport.
- Check the form has a PABLO barcode and your details are correct.
- At your last EU exit point, scan the barcode at a PABLO kiosk before check-in.
- If the kiosk shows a red screen, take the form and goods to the customs desk.
- Collect the refund from the operator or retailer by the method you chose.
Where to validate: At a PABLO kiosk (or the customs desk if it fails) at your LAST EU exit point, before check-in.
Deadline: Validate the form before the end of the third month after the month of purchase.
Paid out as: Card; Cash at airport refund desk (extra fee)
Visiting several EU countries? Validate at your last EU exit, wherever you bought the goods.
Not refundable
- Services (hotels, restaurants, car hire)
- Goods for commercial use
- Goods used or consumed in the EU
- Tobacco and other goods French customs excludes
Worth knowing
- Keep the goods unused and reachable: customs can ask to see them before you check your bag in.
- If you leave the EU from another country, validate there at its customs; PABLO works only at French exit points.
- A customs circular of 24 April 2026 lets some stores in the same city under one VAT number group 3 days of purchases on one form; ask the store.
Estimate your refund for France
Sources
- French customs (douane.gouv.fr): Vous achetez des marchandises en détaxe
- French customs: circular 26-044 of 24 April 2026 (BVE procedure)
- economie.gouv.fr: Touristes, comment bénéficier de la détaxe
- European Commission: VAT refunds for travellers leaving the EU
- Privé: VAT refund, what you actually get back (net ~12% in France)
- Upon: France VAT refund guide
Rules last checked 24 September 2026. Refund operators and customs can change procedures at short notice; confirm at the store before you buy.
Before you go: check the entry rules for your passport and the best time to visit France.
Other refund rules: Australia, Austria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam