Where and when to claim your refund at the airport

You claim a VAT refund at Paris airport in the departure hall, before you check in for your flight. The location depends on which terminal you are in — each terminal has a dedicated refund desk, usually operated by Global Blue or Planet, the two largest refund processors in France. You can find the exact location on the airport's website or by asking at information when you arrive.

The refund desk is not the same as the customs desk. You need to visit customs first to have your purchases stamped, then take the stamped forms to the refund desk to receive your money. This sequence matters because customs will not stamp documents after you have passed through security.

Timing varies by airport size and season. At Charles de Gaulle (the largest Paris airport), the refund desk can have queues of 30 minutes to an hour during peak travel times. Orly and Le Bourget are usually faster. Plan to arrive at the airport with enough time to complete both the customs and refund steps before you check in.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit customs in the departure hall to have your receipts stamped before the refund desk will process your claim.
  • The refund desk is operated by Global Blue or Planet and is located in the departure hall of your terminal, not after security.
  • You can receive your refund as cash, a credit to your card, or a credit to your original payment method — the desk offers all three options.
  • Refunds are only available for purchases made in France within the 90 days before you leave, and only if the total on a single receipt meets the store's minimum (usually €100 to €150).

What documents you need to bring

Bring the original receipts from the stores where you made your purchases, the items themselves (still in their original packaging or unused condition), your passport, and your boarding pass. The refund desk will ask to see the items to confirm they match the receipts and have not been worn or used.

If you bought from multiple stores, bring all the receipts. Each store issues its own refund form, and you will need the stamped version of each one. Some stores print the refund form on the receipt itself; others give you a separate document. If you are unsure whether you have the right paperwork, ask the store at the time of purchase to show you what you need to bring to the airport.

Your passport is essential because customs uses it to verify your residency status — VAT refunds are only for people who live outside the EU. If you cannot produce a passport, customs will not stamp your forms.

How the customs stamp works

Customs stamps your receipts to confirm that you are taking the items out of France. The stamp proves to the refund desk that the purchase was made by a non-resident and that the goods are leaving the country. Without the stamp, the refund desk cannot process your claim, even if you have the original receipt.

The customs officer will ask you to show the items and the receipts together. They may open your bags or ask you to unwrap items to verify they match. This is routine and takes a few minutes per purchase. Once stamped, keep the receipts in a safe place until you reach the refund desk — do not pack them in checked luggage.

If you are checking bags, you can show customs the items before you check them in, or you can ask customs to inspect them from your carry-on. Either way, the inspection happens in the departure hall, not at security.

Payment methods at the refund desk

The refund desk offers three ways to receive your money: cash in euros, a credit to your debit or credit card, or a credit to your original payment method (if you paid by card at the store). Cash is the fastest option and is available when ready. Card refunds take three to five business days to appear on your statement.

If you choose cash, the desk will give you euros. If you choose a card refund, the processor (Global Blue or Planet) will handle the transaction and send the money to your bank. You do not need to do anything after you leave the desk — the refund is automatic once the processor receives your stamped forms.

Some refund desks charge a small fee for cash refunds (usually €2 to €5) but not for card refunds. Ask before you choose your payment method if cost matters to you.

What happens if you miss the refund desk

If you pass through security without claiming your refund, you can still mail your stamped forms to the refund processor, but the process is slower and less reliable. You will need to mail the original stamped receipts to the processor's address (printed on the refund form) within a set time frame, usually 30 days. The processor will then send you a refund by mail or card credit, which takes several weeks.

Mailing forms is riskier because documents can be lost in transit, and you have no proof of delivery unless you use registered mail. If the processor does not receive your forms, you have no refund and no way to recover the money. For this reason, claiming at the airport is always the safer choice.

If you realize after you have left the airport that you forgot to claim, contact the refund processor using the details on your receipt. Some processors allow you to submit forms online with photos of your receipts and passport, though this is less common and may take longer to process.

Common reasons refunds are denied at the airport

The most common reason is that customs will not stamp the forms because you do not have your passport or because the items have been used. If you have worn clothing, used cosmetics, or opened electronics, customs will refuse to stamp the receipt. The items must be in resalable condition.

Another reason is that the purchase total does not meet the store's minimum. Most stores require a minimum of €100 to €150 per receipt for a refund to be issued. If your receipt is below that threshold, the store will not have issued a refund form, and the refund desk cannot process a claim. Check the receipt at the time of purchase to see if a refund form was printed.

A third reason is that you bought the items more than 90 days before you leave France. VAT refunds are only for recent purchases. If you bought something on a previous trip and are now leaving, that purchase does not may have access to.

Refund amounts and what to expect

The refund is the VAT (value-added tax) that was included in the price you paid. In France, VAT is 20% on most goods, though some items (books, food, certain services) have lower rates of 5.5% or 10%. The refund desk will calculate the refund based on the VAT rate shown on your receipt.

The amount you receive is not the full 20% of the purchase price. The refund processor deducts a handling fee (usually 10% to 15% of the VAT amount) before paying you. So if you bought something for €100 with €20 VAT, you might receive €17 or €18 after the fee, not the full €20. The exact fee depends on the processor and the payment method you choose.

Card refunds typically have a lower fee than cash refunds because the processor's costs are lower. If you are refunding a large amount, the payment method you choose can make a difference of several euros.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a VAT refund if I live in another EU country?

No. VAT refunds are only for people who live outside the EU. If you live in Germany, Spain, Italy, or any other EU country, you do not may have access to, even if you are visiting France. Customs will check your passport and will refuse to stamp your forms if you are an EU resident.

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

Duty-free purchases do not need a VAT refund because VAT was not charged in the first place. The price you paid already excludes VAT. You cannot claim a refund on duty-free items.

Do I have to show the items to customs if I packed them in checked luggage?

You can ask customs to inspect them from your carry-on, or you can check your bags first and then ask customs to inspect them from your checked luggage before it goes on the plane. Either way, the inspection must happen before you pass through security. Plan extra time if your bags are checked.

Can I claim a refund for items I bought online and had shipped to my hotel in Paris?

Yes, if the retailer issued a refund form and the purchase was made within 90 days of your departure. Bring the receipt and the items (unused) to customs. Online purchases from French retailers may have access to the same way as in-store purchases.

What if the refund desk says my receipt is too old?

VAT refunds have a 90-day window from the date on the receipt. If your receipt is dated more than 90 days before your departure date, the refund desk will not process it. Check the date on your receipt before you travel to the airport.