Imagine this: You are standing on the Champs-Élysées. You have just bought that dream handbag or a beautiful watch you have been saving up for. You feel amazing. The sales assistant hands you a bag, and you walk out into the Paris sunshine.
Now, imagine getting to the airport and realizing you just threw 20% of that purchase price into the trash can.
It hurts, right? But I see it happen every single day. I have lived in Paris for years, and nothing breaks my heart more than watching visitors leave hundreds of euros on the table simply because the paperwork seemed “too complicated” or they didn’t know the rules.
Here is the good news: getting your money back is actually quite simple if you know the steps. The French government actually wants you to shop here, and the vat tax in France refund system (known locally as “Détaxe”) is their way of saying thank you.
But there are traps. There are bad exchange rates, hidden fees, and strict customs rules that can trip you up.
Grab a coffee. I am going to walk you through this process step-by-step, just like I would if we were sitting in a café in the Marais. By the time you finish reading this, you will be a pro at navigating the vat tax in France refund system, and you will have extra cash in your pocket for your next trip.
Let’s keep this simple. In France, almost everything you buy includes a tax called VAT (Value Added Tax), or TVA in French. For most things you care about—clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, electronics—this tax is 20%.
If you live in the European Union, you have to pay this tax. It pays for our roads, our hospitals, and our schools. But if you live outside the EU, you don’t use those services. Therefore, legally, you shouldn’t have to pay the tax on goods you take home with you.
That is where the vat tax in France refund comes in. It is a mechanism to give you that tax money back.
The "20% Refund" Myth (Let's Do the Math)
I need to be honest with you right now so you aren’t disappointed later. You will often hear people say, “Get 20% off your shopping!”
That is not mathematically true.
Here is the math nobody tells you: If a price tag says €120, the item price is €100 and the tax is €20. That €20 is actually 16.66% of the total price you paid at the register, not 20%.
*Based on standard Global Blue rates. Apps refund more.
| Refund Method | Gross Spend | VAT Paid (Approx) | Fees & Commissions | Your Net Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional (Global Blue/Planet) | €1,000 | €166.60 | High (~40% of VAT) | ~€100 - €120 (10-12%) |
| Digital Apps (Skiptax/Zapptax) | €1,000 | €166.60 | Low (~20% of VAT) | ~€133 - €145 (13.3-15%) |
As you can see, using the vat tax in France refund smartly can save you an extra €25 to €45 on the same purchase!
Eligibility: Who Can Claim a vat tax in France refund?
Before you start planning your shopping spree, we need to make sure you actually qualify. The customs officers are very strict. There is no “close enough” with French administration. You either tick the boxes, or you don’t.
The 3 Golden Rules
To get your vat tax in France refund, you must meet these three criteria at the exact moment you buy the item:
Residency: You must live outside the European Union. If you are from the USA, Canada, Australia, or Asia, you are fine. Since Brexit, this now includes residents of the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland in some cases).
Age: You must be 16 years or older. I know some other countries in Europe allow refunds for 15-year-olds, but France does not. If you are traveling with a teenager who wants to buy sneakers, make sure a parent buys them if the teen is under 16.
Time Limit: You must be a visitor. You cannot stay in France for more than six months. If you are here on a long-term student visa or a work visa, you are technically a resident, and you cannot claim the refund.
What Items Are Excluded?
You can claim the vat tax in France refund on most physical goods you can put in your suitcase. Clothes, bags, souvenirs, and wine are all perfect.
However, you cannot claim a refund on:
Services: Hotels, restaurant meals, metro tickets, or theater tickets. You consumed these in France, so you pay the tax.
Tobacco: Cigarettes and cigars are excluded for health reasons.
Cars and Parts: Private transport is excluded.
Certain Medicines: While some over-the-counter items are okay, medicines covered by French social security are tricky and usually not worth the hassle due to low tax rates (2.1%).
Specific Weapons: Most weapons are strictly excluded.
Crucial Rule: The goods must be for personal use. If customs thinks you are buying 50 iPhones to resell them in your home country, they will deny your refund.
🟢 Must Read
The €100.01 Rule: The Biggest Hurdle
For years, this was the most annoying part of shopping in Paris. The rule states that you must spend more than €100 (specifically €100.01) to qualify for a refund.
The Old Way (Legacy)
In the past (and if you use the traditional method), you had to spend that €100.01 in a single store on the same day.
This was frustrating! If you bought a €60 scarf in a boutique in Le Marais and then a €50 candle in a shop in Saint-Germain, you got zero refund. Neither receipt hit the €100 limit. You left free money on the table because you didn’t spend enough in one specific place.
How Apps Changed the Game (The Double Sale)
This is the biggest “Pro Tip” I can give you for 2025-2026. New digital apps have changed the rules of the vat tax in France refund.
Apps like Skiptax, Zapptax, and Airvat allow you to accumulate small purchases.
Here is how it works: You download the app. Legally, the app acts as the buyer. You are buying the goods for them. Because the app company is a business, they can consolidate all your small receipts.
So, you can buy that €60 scarf and that €50 candle at two completely different stores. You upload both receipts to the app. The total is €110. Suddenly, you have broken the €100 threshold!
The "Facture" Trick & Billing Addresses
When using these apps, you do not ask the shop assistant for a “tax refund form.” If you do, they will print the old-style paper, and you can’t use the app.
Instead, you say: “I need a commercial invoice (une facture) for this company.”
You show them the details of the app on your phone. To make it easier for you, here are the exact billing addresses you will likely need for 2026:
For Skiptax: Ask for the invoice to: Nom Prénom C/O Skiptax, 76 Rue de la Pompe, 75016 Paris.
For Zapptax: Ask for the invoice to: Zapptax, 23 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris.
For Airvat: Ask for the invoice to: Airvat EURL, 10 rue de Penthièvre, 75008 Paris.
Snap a photo of this invoice, upload it, and you are done.
Traditional Operators vs. Apps: Maximizing Your vat tax in france refund
You have two main paths to get your money back. The “Easy but Expensive” path, or the “Smart and Lucrative” path.
1. The Traditional Giants (Global Blue, Planet)
If you shop at Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, or big luxury brands like Chanel or Dior, they will push you toward Global Blue or Planet.
Pros: The staff does everything for you. They print the form, you sign it, and you are done.
Cons: The fees are high. They usually only give you back about 12% of the purchase price.
The Trap: They often offer “Instant Cash” in the store. Be careful—this requires a credit card guarantee, and if you mess up the paperwork at the airport, they charge your card including a penalty fee.
2. The Digital Apps (Skiptax, Zapptax, Airvat)
These are the independent players.
Pros: Higher refunds. Because they don’t have to pay high rent in department stores, they pass the savings to you. You can get up to 15% back depending on how much you spend.
Cons: You have to take photos of your receipts and ask for the invoices yourself. Some very high-end brands (like Hermès) might refuse to make an invoice for an app because they have exclusive contracts with Global Blue.
Correction: You might have heard of an app called Wevat. As of January 2025, Wevat has shut down operations. Do not try to download or use it; it is no longer an option. Stick to the active players like Skiptax or Zapptax.
Pro Tip: Avoid Airport Cash Desks
Whatever method you choose, you will eventually have to choose how to get paid: Credit Card refund or Cash at the airport.
Never, ever choose cash at the airport.
I know it feels nice to have euros in your hand before you fly home, but the fees are criminal. Operators like Planet charge fixed fees that ruin small refunds. Look at these actual fees from the report:
Refunds under €50: They charge a €4.00 flat fee. (That’s a 40% penalty on a €10 refund!)
Refunds €50 – €100: They charge €5.00.
Refunds over €500: They charge €30.00 just to hand you cash.
On top of that, if you ask for the cash in your home currency (like Dollars), they give you a terrible “We Sell” exchange rate. Always choose to have the vat tax in France refund sent to your credit card or bank transfer.
Step-by-Step: How to Process Your Refund at the Airport
Okay, your trip is over. You have your forms (either paper from Global Blue or digital barcodes on your phone from the apps). You are at the airport. This is the moment of truth.
The PABLO Machine Explained
France uses a system called PABLO. It stands for Programme d’Apurement des Bordereaux de détaxe par Lecture Optique.
Think of PABLO like a self-checkout machine at the supermarket. You will find these kiosks before you check your bags. They usually have a touchscreen with multiple languages.
Select your language (English).
Scan the barcode on your form or your phone screen.
Wait for the screen color.
The Green Screen: Pure joy. This means your vat tax in France refund is approved. The digital message is sent to the company, and your money is on the way. You don’t need to speak to anyone.
The Red Screen: Do not panic. A red screen just means “Audit.” It might be random, or it might be because you bought something very expensive. You must take your passport, your boarding pass, and your unused goods to the customs desk right next to the machines. The officer will check the goods and manually approve the refund.
Where to Find PABLO (Specific Locations for 2026)
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG):
Terminal 1: Go to the CDGVAL level, Hall 6. It is very close to the PAUL bakery.
Terminal 2E (Major International Flights): This is where most US/Asia flights depart. Look in the Departures area near Gate 4 (between exits 3d and 4d).
Terminal 2F: Located in the Arrivals area, near the Monop’ store.
Terminal 2B/2D: Take the escalators past Carl’s Jr. restaurant. Warning: The Gate 6 kiosks in 2D are often broken, so look for the main ones.
Paris Orly (ORY):
Orly 4: Located on Level 0, in the Departure 4 area near gate 47d.
Orly 1-2: Located on Level 1, near the Arrivals 2 area around gate 21d.
Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE):
Terminal 1: Found on the Arrivals level (landside) and also airside in Hall A.
Terminal 2: In the Arrivals hall, opposite gate A3.
The Eurostar Warning (Gare du Nord)
If you are taking the Eurostar to London, pay attention. The PABLO machines are inside the secure waiting area upstairs (Hall London). You have to go through the ticket gates and security first.
Do not try to find customs in the main station hall; they aren’t there.
Warning: If you are taking a train to Brussels or Amsterdam, you cannot do your vat tax in France refund at Gare du Nord. You must do it at the station where you eventually leave the EU (or use the convoluted “regularization” process later).
The Swiss Border Warning
Switzerland is not in the EU. If you drive from France to Geneva to fly home, you must scan your French forms at the French border before you cross into Switzerland.
Crucial Update: Swiss customs officers can no longer stamp French forms. They used to help, but that stopped.
You must stop at a French border post like Bardonnex or Saint-Louis.
Some crossings (like Ferney-Voltaire) close at night. Bardonnex is open 24/7. Plan your drive carefully!
Common Mistakes That Kill Your vat tax in France refund
I want you to get every cent back. Please avoid these three errors that I see tourists make constantly.
1. The Checked Luggage Disaster
This is the number one tragedy.
The Mistake: You arrive at the airport, go to the airline desk, and check your big suitcases. Then, you wander over to the PABLO machine with just your carry-on.
The Problem: You scan your barcode. The screen turns Red. The customs officer says, “Please show me the expensive bag you bought.” You say, “It’s in my checked luggage on the plane.”
The Result: Refund denied. Immediately. They legally cannot approve it if they can’t see it.
The Fix: Always, always visit the PABLO machine before you check your bags.
2. Using the Items in France
Technically, the vat tax in France refund is an export scheme. The goods must be “new and unused.”
If you buy a gorgeous coat and wear it to dinner in Paris, you are technically breaking the rules.
If customs asks to see the goods and the tags are cut off, or the perfume is open and half-used, they can deny the refund and even fine you.
Keep the tags on and the boxes sealed until you get home.
3. Missing the Deadline
You have until the end of the third month following your purchase to leave the EU.
If you buy shoes on April 15th, you must leave by July 31st.
If you stay longer than that, your forms expire, and the money is gone forever.
Final Thoughts
Look, I know this sounds like a lot of rules. But don’t let it scare you away from claiming what is yours. The vat tax in France refund is real money. On a €2,000 shopping trip, we are talking about €250 to €300 back in your pocket. That is enough for a round-trip flight back to Paris next year!
My best advice? Download one of the apps (Skiptax or Zapptax) right now, before you even pack your bags. They make the process so much smoother than the old paper trails.
Enjoy your shopping, enjoy my beautiful city, and make sure you get that Green Screen at the airport. You earned it!
