What you receive depends on the shop, the goods, and how you claim
The amount you get back is not a fixed percentage. A VAT refund in Paris is calculated by working backwards from the price you paid. The shop subtracts their profit margin and the VAT they already paid to their suppliers, then refunds you the remainder. This means two people buying identical items at different shops will receive different refund amounts.
The refund also shrinks if you claim it by mail instead of at the airport. Mail claims take weeks to process and some money is held back for administration. Airport refunds are when ready but require you to leave France the same day you claim.
Most importantly: you only get money back on goods you take out of France. Food, services, and anything you consume in Paris is not refundable, no matter how much you spent.
Key Takeaways
- The refund amount is calculated by the shop based on their cost and profit, not a standard percentage of what you paid.
- You must spend a minimum amount in a single shop on a single day — this threshold varies by shop and is usually between €100 and €175.
- Claiming at Paris airport gives you the full refund when ready but requires you to leave France the same day; claiming by mail takes four to eight weeks and costs you 10 to 15 percent in processing fees.
- Only goods you physically take out of France are refundable — meals, hotel stays, and services used in Paris cannot be refunded.
- The refund is paid in the currency you choose at the time of claim, and exchange rates on the day of processing affect the final amount you receive.
How the refund amount is actually calculated
When you buy something in Paris, the price tag includes VAT at 20 percent (the standard rate for most goods; some items like books are taxed at 5.5 percent). The shop does not straightforward refund you 20 percent of what you paid. Instead, they calculate what they paid for the item, what they charged you, and what VAT they already sent to the French government on their own purchases.
A concrete example: you buy a jacket for €200 in a Paris department store. That €200 includes €33.33 in VAT. The shop's cost for that jacket was €120. Their profit is €46.67. When they process your refund, they refund you the VAT portion minus a small handling fee — typically €30 to €32, not the full €33.33. The exact amount depends on the shop's refund processor and their agreement with the French tax authority.
This is why the same item at two different shops yields different refund amounts. A luxury boutique with higher profit margins will refund more than a discount retailer selling the same brand at a lower price.
Minimum purchase thresholds and how they affect your total
You cannot claim a refund on a single €50 purchase. Most shops in Paris require you to spend a minimum amount in one transaction on one day. This threshold is set by the shop, not by law, and ranges from €100 to €175 depending on the retailer. Luxury brands and department stores often use €100; smaller boutiques may require €175.
The threshold applies to the total before VAT is added. If a shop's minimum is €100, you need to spend €100 on goods, not €100 after tax. This matters because the price tag already includes VAT — you are not spending extra to reach the threshold.
Once you meet the minimum, you can claim on the entire purchase, including items below €100. If you spend €150 across five items, you refund on all five, not just the ones above a certain price point.
Airport refunds versus mail refunds: the money difference
Claiming at Paris airport (Charles de Gaulle, Orly, or Beauvais) gives you cash or a card credit the same day you leave France. The refund is processed by a machine or a staff member, and you walk away with the money. This is the fastest route and you receive the full amount the shop calculated.
Claiming by mail takes four to eight weeks. You mail your refund forms and receipts to the shop's refund processor, usually a company like Global Blue or Planet. They verify your documents, confirm you left France, and then send the money to your bank account or credit card. During this time, they deduct 10 to 15 percent as a processing fee. A €100 refund becomes €85 to €90 by the time it reaches you.
Some shops offer a third option: refund to your credit card at the point of sale. This is when ready but only works if you paid by card, and the amount is usually slightly lower than the airport refund because the shop's processor takes a cut when ready.
Currency and exchange rates on refund day
You can choose to receive your refund in euros, US dollars, British pounds, or other currencies depending on the refund processor. If you choose a currency other than euros, the exchange rate used is the rate on the day your refund is processed, not the day you made the purchase.
At the airport, this happens within minutes, so the rate is whatever the processor's system shows that moment. By mail, the rate is whatever it is when your documents are verified and processed — weeks later. Exchange rates move daily, so a €100 refund might be worth $108 one week and $105 the next.
Most refund processors charge a small markup on top of the mid-market rate, typically 2 to 3 percent. This is how they make money on currency conversion. If you want to minimize this cost, claim in euros and convert the money yourself at your bank when you return home.
Goods that are not refundable and why
VAT refunds only explore to goods you export from France. Anything you consume, use, or leave behind in Paris cannot be refunded. This includes meals at restaurants, hotel stays, museum tickets, train tickets, and services like haircuts or repairs.
It also includes goods you buy but use in Paris before leaving. If you buy a sweater and wear it for a week before flying home, you cannot refund it. The shop has no way to verify you did not wear it, so the rule is absolute: if you open it or use it in France, it is not refundable.
Alcohol and tobacco have special rules. You can refund them, but only if you take them out of France in your checked luggage or carry-on. If you open a bottle of wine in your hotel room, it becomes non-refundable. Some countries also have limits on how much alcohol or tobacco you can bring in duty-free, so check your home country's customs rules before claiming.
What happens if the refund processor goes out of business
Large processors like Global Blue and Planet have been operating for decades and are unlikely to disappear, but smaller regional processors occasionally close. If the company that processed your refund goes under before sending you the money, you have limited recourse. The shop is not responsible — they already paid the processor to handle the refund.
This is rare, but it is a reason to claim at the airport if the amount is large. Airport refunds are processed by established companies with physical presence in the terminal, and the money is in your hands when ready. Mail refunds carry a small risk that sits with you until the money arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I buy something and return it to the shop later?
No. A return is a separate transaction from a VAT refund. If you return an item, the shop refunds your money as a regular return. You cannot then claim VAT refund on that same item. VAT refunds only work on goods you take out of France.
What if I buy something online from a Paris shop and have it shipped to my home country?
Online purchases are treated differently than in-store purchases. If the shop ships directly to you outside France, VAT may not be charged at all, or it may be charged at your home country's rate. You would not claim a VAT refund in this case because the shop handles the tax status at checkout. Ask the shop before you buy whether VAT will be charged.
Do I get the refund in euros or my home currency?
You choose at the time of claim. At the airport, the refund machine or staff member will ask what currency you want. By mail, you specify on the refund form. If you choose a non-euro currency, the processor applies their exchange rate, which includes a 2 to 3 percent markup.
What if I spend €150 at one shop and €80 at another — can I combine them for the refund?
No. The minimum purchase threshold applies per shop per day. You need to meet the minimum at each individual shop. If one shop requires €100 and you only spent €80 there, you cannot refund that purchase, even if you spent €150 elsewhere the same day.
How long does it take to see the money if I claim by mail?
Four to eight weeks is typical. The processor needs time to receive your documents, verify them, confirm you left France, and process the payment. Some processors are faster; some are slower. You should see the money in your account or on your card within this window, but there is no may provide of an exact date.