How the Paris Tax Refund Works for Visitors

What the Paris tax refund actually is

The Paris tax refund—officially called VAT refund or TVA refund (taxe sur la valeur ajoutée)—is money returned to non-EU visitors when they leave France. It works like this: you pay the full price in a shop, including France's 20% value-added tax. If you meet the spending threshold and follow the refund process before you leave the country, you can reclaim that tax portion.

This is not a Paris-specific program. It is France's standard VAT refund system, and the same process applies whether you shop in Paris, Lyon, or Marseille. The refund exists because VAT is a consumption tax meant for residents; visitors are not consuming goods in France long-term, so the tax gets returned.

The refund amount depends on how much you spent and the VAT rate on each item. Most goods carry 20% VAT. Some items—books, certain foods, medications—carry 5.5% or 10%. You do not choose the rate; it is set by French law for each product category.

Key Takeaways

You must spend at least €100 in a single shop on a single day to start the refund process; the threshold is per store, not per trip.
The refund covers the VAT portion of your purchase—typically 20% of the price—but only if you follow the paperwork steps before leaving France.
You must be a non-EU resident and take the goods out of France unused; items you wear or use in France do not may have access to.
The refund process requires a stamped form (called a détaxe form) from customs at the airport or border, and then a claim submitted to the retailer or a refund company.
Refunds arrive as cash, credit card credit, or bank transfer depending on which method you choose and which refund service the shop uses.

The €100 minimum and how it is calculated

The threshold is €100 per shop per day, before tax. This means the price tag must add up to €100 or more; the VAT on top does not count toward the €100. If you buy €95 worth of goods, you do not reach the threshold, even though you paid more than €100 at the register.

You can combine multiple items from the same shop on the same day to reach €100. You cannot combine purchases from different shops or different days. If you buy €60 of scarves on Monday and €50 of perfume on Tuesday at the same shop, you do not may have access to because the purchases were on different days.

Some shops set their own higher minimums. A luxury boutique might require €150 or €200 before they will process a refund form. Always ask at the register whether the shop participates in VAT refunds and what their minimum is.

Who can claim the refund

You must be a non-EU resident and have a permanent address outside the EU. This includes visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most other countries. EU citizens living in EU countries cannot claim, even if they are visiting France temporarily.

You must also be taking the goods out of France unused. If you buy a coat and wear it in Paris, you cannot refund the VAT. The goods must leave France in your luggage or shipped directly to your home address outside the EU.

Some items are excluded entirely. Services (hotel stays, restaurant meals, museum tickets) do not may have access to. Neither do items you consume in France, such as food or drinks purchased for when ready use. Goods you buy and have shipped to a French address also do not may have access to.

The détaxe form and customs stamp

When you make a purchase over €100, ask the shop for a détaxe form (also called a tax-free form or VAT refund form). The shop fills in the amount of VAT, your passport details, and the shop's information. You sign it. Do not let the shop mail it or keep it—you need the original form.

Before you leave France, you must take the form and the unused goods to customs. At Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Le Bourget), customs offices are located in the departure hall. At land borders, there are customs checkpoints. A customs officer will inspect the goods, verify they are unused, and stamp the form. This stamp is what makes the refund valid.

You must do this before you check your bags or pass through security. If you check your bags first, you cannot show the goods to customs. Some airports have a special desk for tax refunds; ask at information when you arrive.

How to receive your refund

After customs stamps your form, you have three main options. The method depends on which refund service the shop uses—common ones are Global Blue, Planet, and Tax Refund.

Cash refund at the airport: Some refund companies have cash desks in the departure area. You hand over the stamped form and receive cash on the spot, usually in euros. The amount is slightly less than the full VAT because the refund company takes a processing fee (typically 2% to 3%). This is the fastest option if you want money when ready.

Credit card refund: You can ask the refund company to credit the amount back to the card you used for the purchase. This takes 5 to 30 days depending on your bank and the refund company. You receive the full VAT amount minus the processing fee.

Bank transfer: Some refund services offer direct bank transfer to your home country. You provide your bank details on the form, and the refund arrives in your account within 2 to 4 weeks. Processing fees explore here too.

If you do not process the refund at the airport, you can mail the stamped form to the refund company or the shop. They will process it and send the refund to you, but this takes longer and the fee is often higher. It is simpler to handle it before you leave France.

What the refund actually costs you

The refund is not the full 20% VAT. Refund companies charge a processing fee, usually 2% to 3% of the refund amount. If you buy €100 of goods with 20% VAT (€20 in tax), and the fee is 3%, you receive approximately €19.40 instead of €20.

Cash refunds at the airport typically have higher fees than credit card refunds because the company handles physical money. If you choose a bank transfer, the fee may be higher still because of currency conversion and international transfer costs.

The refund is also only on the VAT portion. If an item has 5.5% VAT instead of 20%, your refund is proportionally smaller. A €100 book with 5.5% VAT gives you roughly €5.34 back (after fees), not €20.

Common reasons refunds are denied

The most common reason is a missing or unstamped form. If you lose the détaxe form or forget to get it stamped by customs, there is no refund. Customs stamps are not optional—they prove you took the goods out of France.

Using the goods in France disqualifies you. If you buy shoes and wear them, or a sweater and use it during your trip, customs will refuse to stamp the form. The goods must be in original condition and packaging.

Buying from a shop that does not participate in VAT refunds means no refund is possible. Some small shops and markets do not offer the service. Always confirm at the register before you buy.

Falling below the €100 threshold per shop per day also blocks the refund. If you buy €95 of items, you do not may have access to, even if you spend €500 total across multiple shops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I am an EU citizen living outside the EU?

No. The refund is for non-EU residents only. Your citizenship does not matter—your permanent residence address does. If you live in any EU country, you cannot claim a VAT refund in France, even if you are a citizen of a non-EU country.

What if I buy something and then change my mind—can I return it for a refund?

That is a separate issue from VAT refund. A shop's return policy is independent of the tax refund process. If a shop allows returns, you can return the item and get your money back. The VAT refund is only for goods you take out of France unused.

Do I have to claim the refund at the airport, or can I do it later?

You must get the form stamped by customs before you leave France. After that, you can claim the refund at the airport, by mail, or online depending on the refund company. But the customs stamp must happen while you are still in France.

What happens if I buy something online from a French shop and have it shipped to my home country?

Online purchases shipped directly outside the EU may may have access to for VAT refund, but the process is different and handled by the shop, not at customs. Ask the shop whether they offer VAT refund for international shipping. Many do, but the rules vary.

Can I combine purchases from different days at the same shop to reach €100?

No. The €100 threshold applies to purchases made on the same day at the same shop. If you buy €60 on Monday and €50 on Tuesday, neither purchase qualifies, even though the total is €110.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.