Where and when to claim your refund at the airport

You claim your VAT refund at Paris airport before you check in for your flight home. The refund counter is in the departure hall — the exact location depends on which terminal you're in, but airport staff at check-in can point you to it. You need to go there with your passport, your receipts, and the goods you bought (still in their original packaging, unworn and unused). The process takes 10 to 20 minutes if the line is short.

Paris has two main airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly. Both have refund counters in the departure area before security. If you're flying from a smaller airport like Beauvais, refund services may be limited or unavailable — check with your airline before you travel. You must do this before you pass through security, because the refund agent needs to see your goods and stamp your paperwork.

The refund counter closes at different times depending on the terminal and time of day. Arrive at the airport with enough time to find the counter, wait in line, and still make it through security. If you miss the counter, you cannot claim the refund later — the agent's stamp is what proves you left France with the goods.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit the VAT refund counter in the departure hall before security, with your passport, receipts, and unworn goods in original packaging.
  • The agent stamps your paperwork to prove you're exporting the goods; without this stamp, you cannot process the refund later.
  • Charles de Gaulle and Orly both have refund counters, but smaller airports may not — confirm before you travel.
  • After the agent stamps your documents, you can claim cash at the airport counter, mail the paperwork to the retailer, or use a refund service company.

What documents and goods you need to bring

Bring your original receipts from the store where you bought the items. The receipt must show the shop name, the date, the items, and the price. If you bought multiple items from the same shop on the same day, one receipt covering all of them is fine. If you bought from different shops or on different days, bring each receipt separately.

The goods themselves must be in their original packaging and unused. If you bought clothes, shoes, or bags, they cannot have been worn. If you bought cosmetics or toiletries, they cannot have been opened. The refund agent will inspect them, so pack them carefully and keep them accessible in your luggage. If an item is damaged or opened, the agent will refuse the refund for that item.

You also need your passport. The agent checks your passport to confirm you're a non-EU resident and may be able to access for the refund. If you don't have your passport with you, you cannot claim the refund at the airport.

The three ways to receive your money after the agent stamps your paperwork

Once the agent stamps your documents, you have three options for receiving the refund. The fastest is to claim cash at the airport refund counter itself — Global Blue and Premier Tax Free both operate cash counters at Paris airports. You hand over your stamped paperwork and receive euros on the spot, minus a small commission (usually 2 to 4 percent). This takes a few minutes and you walk away with the money.

The second option is to mail the stamped paperwork back to the retailer or to the refund service company. You keep the paperwork, put it in an envelope, and mail it to the address printed on the form. The retailer or refund company then processes the refund and sends it to your bank account or credit card. This takes 4 to 8 weeks and you receive the full refund amount with no commission deducted. This is the best option if you want the most money, but it requires you to handle the paperwork yourself.

The third option is to use a refund service company's app or website. Some companies like Global Blue and Premier Tax Free let you upload a photo of your stamped paperwork through their app and request a bank transfer. You still need the agent's stamp, but you don't have to mail anything. Processing takes 1 to 3 weeks and the refund goes to your bank account, minus a small fee.

How much you'll receive and what affects the amount

The refund amount is a percentage of what you paid, not the full price. In France, the standard VAT rate is 20 percent, so your refund is roughly 12 to 15 percent of the purchase price after the refund company's commission. The exact percentage depends on which refund service company processes it and whether you claim cash at the airport or mail the paperwork later.

If you claim cash at the airport, the commission is higher — usually 3 to 4 percent of the refund amount. If you mail the paperwork or use the app, the commission is lower — usually 1 to 2 percent. So a €100 purchase might give you €12 in cash at the airport, or €14 to €15 if you mail the paperwork and wait for a bank transfer.

The minimum purchase amount to may have access to for a refund varies by shop, but is usually €100 to €150 per receipt. Some luxury shops have lower minimums. Check your receipt or ask the shop when you buy — they'll tell you whether the purchase qualifies.

What happens if you don't claim at the airport

If you leave the airport without visiting the refund counter, you lose the refund. The agent's stamp is what proves you exported the goods legally. Without it, the retailer or refund company has no proof that you actually left France with the items, so they won't process the refund.

Some refund service companies offer a "Global Refund Cheque" option that lets you claim the refund at your home country instead of at the airport. This is rare and only available at certain shops — ask when you buy whether the shop offers it. If it does, you can mail the stamped paperwork from home instead of from the airport. But you still need the agent's stamp at the Paris airport before you leave.

Common mistakes that delay or cancel your refund

The most common mistake is opening or wearing the goods before the agent inspects them. Even if you only tried something on or opened a box to check the contents, the agent may refuse the refund. Keep everything sealed and in its original state until you're at the refund counter.

The second mistake is arriving at the airport too late. If the refund counter is closed or you don't have time to wait in line, you miss the stamp and lose the refund. Check your flight time and the airport's operating hours for the refund counter, and arrive early enough to visit it before security.

The third mistake is losing or damaging the receipt. The agent needs the original receipt to process the refund. If you've thrown it away or it's illegible, the agent cannot help you. Keep receipts in a safe place in your carry-on bag.

Refund service companies operating at Paris airports

The two main refund service companies at Paris airports are Global Blue and Premier Tax Free. Both operate cash counters in the departure halls at Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Both also accept paperwork by mail or through their apps. The refund percentage and commission are similar between the two, so it usually doesn't matter which one processed your original receipt — you can claim at whichever counter has the shorter line.

Some shops issue refund paperwork from other companies like Planet Tax Free or Innova Tax Free. The process is the same: bring the paperwork to the refund counter, the agent stamps it, and you claim your money. The counter staff will know which company issued your paperwork and direct you to the right counter if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a VAT refund if I'm an EU citizen living outside France?

No. VAT refunds are only for non-EU residents. If you live in any EU country, you're not may be able to access. You need to show your passport to prove your residency status, so the agent will know when ready if you don't may have access to.

What if I bought something at a duty-free shop inside the airport?

Duty-free shops don't charge VAT, so there's no refund to claim. The price you see is already the final price. This is different from regular shops in the city, which charge VAT and offer refunds.

Can I claim a refund for food, wine, or other consumables?

Most food and drink cannot be refunded because you're expected to consume it before you leave France. Some luxury items like wine or champagne in sealed bottles may may have access to if the shop issues refund paperwork, but this is rare. Ask the shop when you buy whether the item qualifies.

What if the refund counter is closed when I arrive at the airport?

If the counter is closed, you cannot claim the refund. The agent's stamp is required, and no other method works without it. Check the airport's website or call ahead to confirm the counter's hours, especially if you're flying very early or very late.

Do I need to declare the refund on my tax return at home?

No. A VAT refund is a recovery of tax you already paid, not income. You don't report it to your home country's tax authority. Keep your receipts and refund documentation in case you're asked about the purchase, but you have no tax reporting requirement.