When shopping abroad, remember that the amount of value added tax included in the purchase price may be returned to the buyer who is not a citizen of the country where the product was purchased.
Instructions
Step 1
Before traveling abroad, search the internet for information on three aspects of buying. First, find out what the VAT refund rates are when shopping in the country you are traveling to. On average, this value is 10% of the value of the goods in cash and 12% when paying by card. In addition, in some European countries, VAT rates are differentiated depending on the category of goods. Secondly, please note that VAT cannot be refunded for all purchases; some types of goods, for example, alcohol in the Czech Republic, gasoline in Slovakia, are not subject to these rules. And third - find out the minimum purchase amount. In Italy, for example, this amount is 155 euros, in Croatia, 500 kuna. VAT will not be refunded for a smaller amount.
Step 2
When shopping overseas, look for a Tax Free Shopping sign on the store. If not, check with the seller if this store is a Tax Refund system. Before paying for the item, ask the seller to write a tax free check. Make sure you are given three copies of the receipt, the fourth remains at the store. The check must contain your passport number, name and surname, the amount of VAT to be refunded, the purchase price must correspond to the amount of the sales receipt, which is usually pinned to the tax free check.
Step 3
When leaving the country, please go to the customs officer or Tax Free check-in point before you check in for your flight. There they will put a stamp on the tax free check, one copy remains at the customs. The checking employees may ask you to show the purchased goods, remember that the presented things must be with tags, store seals, new ones. Do not use goods for which you want to get VAT refund before crossing the border. After receiving the stamp on the check, check in for the flight.
Step 4
You can refund the paid VAT directly at the airport from which you are flying. The VAT refund point is located after the check-in counter, you will be given cash, but a 5% commission will be withheld. If you would like to return the VAT amount to your bank account, you can do so upon your arrival home. Provide a bank employee who has an agreement on accepting tax free checks, a passport, a foreign passport, a tax free check (the remaining two copies), a cashier's check. The payment will be made to your account in rubles at the exchange rate of the bank making the payment.
