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Tax Free- this is a system when you cross the border of the country where you purchased the goods. In the article we will talk about the tax refund at the airport. But similar rules apply to the registration of tax-free at stations, road and railway border crossings (if there are tax-free points there).

Find out the rules of Tax Free in advance

Each country has its own VAT refund rules. Therefore, the first thing to ask your guide is under what conditions, in what amount and for what purchases you can return the tax, as well as what documents are needed for this.

If you are traveling on your own, you can find out the details upon arrival at the airport at the information desk or at the window of a special Tax Free checkpoint. Information, as a rule, is always owned by hotel managers. And in stores that operate on a tax-free system, detailed memos in different languages ​​​​often lie near the checkout.

In any case, it is better to find out all the little things before buying, otherwise some small flaw may interfere with the tax refund.

Which purchases will receive a tax refund and how much

You can return the tax that you pay when buying clothes, shoes, equipment, jewelry and others. But there are goods for which VAT will not be returned, no matter what their value is. This is:

1. Food;
2. precious stones separately from jewelry and banking metals (more than 125 g);
3. goods purchased by e-mail or via the Internet;
4. any services (hairstyle, manicure, pedicure, teeth whitening, etc.);
5. vehicles;
6. goods that are intended for use only in the country where they are purchased;
7. products for professional use.

As for the amount of tax, it is different in each country. And it often depends on the type of goods, since tax rates for them may differ (just like in Russia). But even if you know the exact rate, let's say 7.5 percent, it's not a fact that you will be refunded the tax to the nearest penny. Sometimes they return a little less. For example, they may offer to issue money right there in cash, but 1-3 percent less, and if you want the entire amount, then only on the card and within a few months. Agree or not - you decide.

In some countries, the tax-free system exists, but does not work in real life. For example, numerous stories of tourists on Internet forums say that it is almost impossible to get a tax refund in Turkey. Therefore, in such countries it is worth haggling - in order to reduce the cost of purchase just by the amount of tax.

Another condition is the minimum purchase price. Again, it differs everywhere, and it is better to find out in advance or directly at the seller’s store (see the table on popular destinations below). After all, if the total cost of the purchased goods turns out to be slightly less than the limit, then you can purchase some other trifle in the same store. Then the limit will be exceeded, and taking into account the refundable tax, the purchase will be cheaper. The table should be next.

Where and how much money is returned under the tax-free system

In addition, find out in advance about the requirements for the purchase itself. A common rule in many countries: a purchase must be made on the same day and in the same store, or even at one time. If there are several checks, the tax will be allowed to be returned only on one of the documents. Of course, there are countries where the requirements are not so strict and VAT is returned on several checks and even from different stores. But this is less common.

Note. How to calculate the amount to be returned
On the home page of globalblue.ru, one of the international taxi-free operators, there is an Express Return Calculator. There you can easily find out the approximate amount of tax that you can get back. To do this, select the country where you bought something (or plan to buy), and enter the cost of the goods. Next, the calculator will calculate the amount of tax to be refunded. It will also notify you if the purchase price is less than the minimum value at which a tax refund is possible in a given country. True, the operator himself asks to clarify the exact amount allowed for return in a particular country.

At the store, ask for a tax-free receipt.

You can return the tax only when buying in the store where there is a sign on the window (checkout) with the inscription "TAX FREE". Do not confuse with "DUTY FREE" (see fig. 1 below).

Rice. 1. The most common signs for TAX FREE stores.

The basis for a VAT refund is a special check issued by the store. This is not standard cash receipt, but a separate document, which indicates the amount of tax due to you subsequently (see Fig. 2 below). Make sure that the check must have the inscription "TAX FREE". As well as a list of purchased goods, your data: name, surname, address, e-mail, passport number and details bank card if you choose cashless return. With this choice, documents will need to be sent by mail, so we advise you to ask the store for special envelopes. They already have all the necessary stamps and the address of the operator of the VAT refund.

Sometimes sellers ask you to enter or, from your words, enter the entire necessary information immediately in the store. Therefore, you need to have your passport or a photocopy of it with you. Sometimes the vendors will give you a blank form and you can fill it out yourself later, for example at a hotel before you leave. See an example of a completed check below.

Rice. 2. One of the frequently issued TAX FREE checks.

In some countries there are restrictions on the validity of the TAX FREE check. That is, it will be possible to return the tax only within certain period, for example, no later than one month from the date of issue of the check. This point is also worth finding out in advance.

Where to apply for money

The TAX FREE zone at the airport can be located both before passport control and after - everywhere in different ways. Be sure to find out this point, because after passing the border back to the departure hall is unlikely to be released. In any order, you first need customs post(in English Customs). They should put a special stamp on your check. Be prepared to present your purchases for which you are receiving a tax refund. Items must be unworn, in packaging, with labels and price tags that were on them at the time of purchase. In some countries this is strictly checked, in others it is not.

Suppose the customs office is located up to the border point. Then, in order not to take things with you in hand luggage, it is better to apply for a refund before checking in for a flight. After checking and stamping checks, you can check in, check in your luggage and go through passport control.

If the customs point is located after passport control, then things must be taken in hand luggage. After all, customs officers have the right to check them. But sometimes, due to the large size, it is impossible to take, for example, a TV box with you on a plane. For such cases, in some countries in the departure hall there is an additional special customs point, where the things for which you will return the tax are inspected and noted that they are in order and you checked them in your luggage.

How to get your money back

After the customs approves the return, you can get the money in the currency you want. Usually these are separate ticket offices in the port, their name contains the English word Cash. But first, find out which currency you will not be charged commission upon receiving. For example, in the eurozone countries, a substantial commission can be taken from a dollar amount, so the euro is more profitable.

In some countries, there is a rule: if the buyer paid for purchases with a bank card, then money will be transferred to it. Cash will not be issued at the airport. There is no reverse rule. That is, if you paid for your purchases in cash, you can choose: to receive money at the cash desk at the airport or ask to transfer it to the card. True, the second method is protracted, therefore unpopular among the people. Funds can go from several weeks to several months. In addition, it is necessary to send documents by mail (a check with a customs mark) to the office of the operating company that deals with the return (Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, etc.).

Choosing a non-cash refund instead of cash is convenient when there is no time to stand at the airport long queue to the cashier or it is closed (not all cashiers work around the clock). Or if you are going home by train or car, and there is no return point at all at the border.

Although here you can do it easier - return the money in Russia. To do this, you need to contact one of the authorized banks. You can check their list on the websites of operating companies, for example, globalblue.ru and premiertaxfree.com.

You will find a handy memo with which it will be easier to return the money below.

Take your tax free card with you when you go abroad on vacation or business trip

1. Find out the refund amount and purchase requirements. You can find out approximately how much VAT will be refunded to you on the globalblue.ru website through the "Express Refund Calculator" service, or from the guide or the seller of the store. Ask them how to make purchases - in one store or in different ones, with one check or several.
2. Purchases must be from the "TAX FREE" store. Buy items for which you want a tax refund only in stores with a "TAX FREE" sign. But do not confuse with "DUTY FREE", where goods are sold, on the contrary, without taxes and duties.
3. Don't forget to take your tax free receipt at the store. Take from the seller not only a regular check, but also a special tax-free check. It should contain your: last name, first name, address, passport details and card number. Also ask for an envelope with the address of the taxi-free operator - all of a sudden you decide to return the tax by bank transfer.
4. Do not throw away price tags and tags. Be sure to leave the purchased items in the store packaging, with all the price tags and tags that were at the time of purchase. Customs will check them against your tax free receipt.
5. Put a customs stamp on the check. Find a customs office at the airport (in English. Customs). There you should put a stamp on the check. Without it, VAT refunds are not possible. If customs is located after the passport control area, take things with you as hand luggage.
6. Get money. Ask at the airport where the tax-free return point is located. If it is not there, send a regular check and a tax-free check by mail to the operating company in the envelope that was given in the store. Or apply for tax in Russia at any of the authorized banks.

In Spain, in addition to a great holiday, our compatriots are attracted by big ones: international brands, long sales, and even the opportunity to return a percentage of purchases. The tax-free shopping program, or Tax Free, operates in most Spanish stores. How to save money on shopping?

Economy shopping can be even more economical.

What is Tax Free?

This is a value added tax refund system that tourists visiting EU countries can use. Why are tourists given this right? The fact is that the price of goods in Europe includes a tax surcharge, which at the end of the trading period goes to the state treasury. So the government collects additional taxes from the residents of the country. Visitors have the right not to pay VAT.

How much money can be returned?

Standard VAT in Spain is 21%.

For optics and a small list of products, the surcharge is 10%.

For pharmaceuticals and printing - 4%.

Please note that restaurants and hotels do not work under the Tax Free system. Expenses for food, accommodation and entertainment will have to be paid by full cost. You can refund the tax only for those goods that you export from the EU, that is, you will use them already in your homeland in Russia.

When buying clothes, shoes, accessories, equipment, it will actually be possible to return the amount of less than 21%. An administrative fee will be deducted from VAT, shops and banks will take their commission percentage. As a result save 10-16%.

Tax-free refunds can only be made from a purchase for a certain amount. In 2019, it should exceed 90.16 euros. Some agents require this amount to appear on receipts for purchases of one day from one store, others allow receipts of one calendar year to be summed up.

Don't throw away checks!

Some tourists do not want to be puzzled by a tax refund. However, in the tax-free return system, there is actually nothing complicated if you go shopping in Spain and study its rules in advance. By following a simple order of registration of purchases, you will make them even more profitable.

How to get tax free?

1. Shop at Tax Free Stores

This is about 90% of Spanish stores. Look for the inscription on the windows Tax Free for Tourists. Or check with the store consultants if they provide the necessary receipts. Stores in Spain cooperate with different operators for the refund of the surtax. Most popular in Spain: Global Blue and Premier Tax Free.

We saw such a sticker - in this store you will be issued all the documents for the return of Tax-free.

2. Fill out the Tax Free Form

Having received from the seller a receipt for the return of tax with his signature and the seal of the store, fill in the required fields in Latin letters. The seller can help you with this if you provide him with your passport.

3. Do not use things before returning to Russia

Things must be new in retail packaging with all tags. You will have to show them to customs. Do not pack purchased items in a suitcase and do not check it in until you pass the security check, or keep it in your hand luggage.

4. Put a customs stamp

At the airport, before check-in, go to the counter customs control, present your purchases, checks, passport and completed forms. Tax Free Form will be certified by customs stamps. The form must be stamped by European customs in for three months from the date of issuance in the store. With a seal, it is valid for five years.

Customs Service at (24/7):

• terminal T1, floor 3, check-in hall;
• terminal T2, floor 0, arrivals hall.

Customs at Madrid Airport:

• terminal T1, floor 1, departure hall;
• terminal T4, floor 2, near security checkpoint. Opening hours - from 7:00 to 23:00;
• terminal T4 S, floor 2 - around the clock.

Shopping tax refund point at Barcelona airport.

5. Get money at the return point

With all certified documents, contact the VAT refund agency indicated on your forms. In some cases, you can return the money in cash on the spot or request a refund to a bank card. If you are making a wire transfer, you must provide your credit or debit card. It's safer to use cash. It often happens that money does not come to the card for one reason or another: errors in documents, their loss, etc.

At El Prat Airport, the Global Blue office is located in Terminal T1. VAT on checks of other operators is paid by La Caixa Bank in terminal T2.

In Madrid, Global Blue can be found in terminal T1 on the first floor and in terminal T4 on the ground floor.

Global Exchange operates at T4 S on the first floor and at T1 on the first floor.

Bank La Caixa - in terminal T1 on the first floor.

We have considered the simplest and most convenient Tax Free refund scheme at the Spanish airport. If you do not fly home from Spain, but continue to travel further across Europe or make a transit flight through another EU country, you should contact the Tax Free office already at the airport of the European country from which you are flying to Russia.

How to get a tax refund after returning to Russia

Those tourists who did not have time to complete documents at the airport, could not find an office, or flew out at night when the offices were closed, are forced to return money in Russia. Checks stamped by customs with a copy of a bank card must be sent to the address of the agent-operator from the Spanish airport (there are special boxes here) or already from Russia. prepaid Postal envelope usually issued in the store. You can send one from Russia for free. If you do not have a special envelope, you will have to buy stamps for sending a letter to Spain at the post office.

The money will be transferred to the card within 1.5-2 months. In some cities of Russia there are offices of operating companies, where you can also issue and receive a refund. Return points operate in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Rostov-on-Don, Chelyabinsk in bank branches: MDM Bank, Binbank, Intesa Bank, Russian Credit Bank, SMP Bank.

Taxi-free through tourist offices

You can also return Tax-Free at special tourist offices in Spain or upon returning home.

The return points at the tourist offices are not empty.

The Barcelona Tourist Information Center accepts Global Blue checks. Located in Plaça Catalunya.

FNAC stores, in Plaça Catalunya and Piazza della Repubblica, cooperate with the operator Premier Tax Free.

You need to contact the office within 10 days after the purchase, presenting a completed check, passport, credit card, the validity of which will expire no earlier than four months later. Then, within 21 days, send checks stamped by European customs to the office in a prepaid envelope from the airport or already from Russia. This will ensure that you have left Spain. If the documents are not sent, an amount equal to the refunded tax will be withheld from your credit card.

Julia, Novosibirsk:

“I got tax free at the FNAC store in cash. I was asked to show my bank card and was warned that at the airport I would have to drop the envelope with documents into a special yellow mailbox. I did just that: I filled out the form, got a stamp, sealed it in an envelope and put it in a box. Imagine my surprise when, after some time, the amount of the returned tax was withdrawn from my card. Apparently, the documents were simply lost. So I advise you to make copies of checks, otherwise you will not find the guilty.

Olga, Krasnodar:

“I got taxi-free at Valencia airport. Cash is not issued here, you can only issue a refund to the card. First, the form must be stamped at the customs office, and then lowered into mailboxes in an envelope. The boxes are on the street, at the entrance to the airport. The money came to me in 4 weeks.

I returned the money at the Valencia airport - everything went well.

Nina, Serpukhov:

“Encountered a scam at Barcelona airport. At the cash dispensing window, they told me that the shopping center where I made purchases only issues a refund to the card. The card was scanned, and the checks with the customs stamp were taken away from me, issuing a bank check. As a result, after a week or two, I received a message that the refund operation was canceled. Be vigilant, ask for cash or don't hand over checks, but mail them yourself."

Travelers making purchases abroad can get some of the money back under the Tax Free system. But not everything is so simple. Countries set minimum purchase amounts and generally prohibit stacking different checks, and you have to queue at customs to document the export of goods. We figured out the intricacies of Tax Free registration and learned from travelers how it happens in practice.

What it is

Tax Free - international system refund of value added tax (VAT) for tourists who shop abroad and do not have to pay taxes there. There may be several goods, but they should be paid with one check. Food and non-grocery goods are considered separately. Some large department stores and shopping centers, such as London's Harrods, count as one store. The conditions of Tax Free in a particular place can be clarified on the website or from the seller before buying.

The system operates in 50 countries of the world - in particular, the tax can be returned in the EU countries, Turkey, Israel, Argentina, South Africa, Singapore and Mexico. Each state sets a minimum amount that must be spent in order to recover VAT. In Italy it is 155 euros, in Greece - 120 euros, in Spain - 90 euros, in Lithuania - 48 euros, in Germany - 25 euros. The amount of the tax also varies from country to country. It should also be borne in mind that the operating company is responsible for tax refunds, which takes a commission for this. The largest player in the market is the Swedish Global Blue, there is also the Irish Premier Tax Free and other smaller companies. You can find out the name of the Tax Free operator by the sticker in the store or by asking the sellers.

As a result, having bought goods for 200 euros, in Spain you can return 22 euros, in the Netherlands - 21 euros, and in Italy - 25 euros (there is a calculator for calculation).

How to receive the money

Arkady Guinness

director of development OneTwoTrip

After paying for purchases at the checkout, ask the seller to issue Tax Free. In a small store, this will happen there. AT shopping malls there are special racks. There you will have to carefully fill out the form: an error in a letter or number may cause a refund to be refused. Sometimes it is more convenient to use a special Tax Free operator card, where all the information is already there. In Europe, purchases with Tax Free are sometimes sealed with a special tape, you should not tear it off and unpack the boxes.

On the way back, arrive at the airport a few hours before the flight, check in, but do not rush to check in your luggage. You will have to queue for customs service to stamp your Tax Free receipt and shop receipts. Customs officers may ask you to show your purchases, so they cannot be checked in. Tax Free in the European Union should be issued only once in the last country. Please note that different countries have set different time limits for exporting goods and putting customs stamps on them (from three months in Italy and the Czech Republic to five years in Spain).

After that, you have approximately three months to return the money. They can be collected in cash from the operator's kiosks (Tax Free Cash Refund), usually located near customs. The commission is from 3%, the money is returned in national currency. To get money into your account, you need to put the Tax Free form with a check in a special envelope of the operator (ask at the store) - it should also be stamped by customs. The envelope can be dropped into a box at the return point or mailed from home to the address of the operator. In some cities, you can return Tax Free to your account by contacting the bank with which the particular operator cooperates.

In rare cases, Tax Free are ready to return in the store immediately after the purchase and filling out the form. But it will still need to be stamped at customs and sent from home by mail back to the store. If you don't do this in fixed time, the returned money will be debited from your card.

When You Can't Get a Tax Refund

Non-returnable goods include alcohol and tobacco, medicines, weapons, antiques, books and souvenirs, food, and various services. The exact lists differ in each country. In addition, Tax Free cannot be refunded for purchases in online stores.

Corrections in the form, illegible customs stamps, incorrect dates can interfere with the refund (as a rule, the Tax Free form must be filled out on the day of purchase, but in Iceland and Germany, purchases in the same store on different days can be summarized).

People who have a residence permit, work permit, or simply live longer than three to six months in the country of purchase cannot receive a refund for Tax Free.

How much did you get back from purchases?

Evgeny Vasenev

UX designer

I returned Tax Free to a camera in Singapore through Global Blue. The camera is expensive - 4,222 Singapore dollars (or 3,100 US dollars). Therefore, the tax refund turned out to be significant - 182 US dollars (rate - 7%). I searched for information on the Internet, contacted the store and clarified whether they make a return. When buying, they asked me for a passport, which I didn’t have with me, but the scan helped out. I was given a brochure detailing where and how to get a refund: it even has an airport map so as not to look for a Tax Free point. In Singapore, the kiosk is electronic, you can do everything yourself. I scanned the receipt and passport, chose the method of return: cash or credit card- very convenient, no need to change the local currency to dollars. It all took about ten minutes. Ten days later I have to return the money to the card. Upset only a large commission. My refund is $30.

What seemed unusual: in Singapore, not all goods are checked, but my camera was checked: it was in my backpack, it was unpacked, I had been using it for several days. But they did not check much - they just looked, and that's it. The check was already after customs, in the transit zone.

Elena Sergeeva

organizer of the festival "Traveling"

Once I applied for Tax Free for clothes and shoes in Spain. The refund amount should have been around 30–40 euros. I don’t remember the company, but it definitely wasn’t Global Blue, the kiosks were red, not blue. To return, it was necessary to fill out a questionnaire, attach a receipt and a check, put it all in a special envelope and throw it into a box at the counter - all this took about five minutes.

But in the end, the money was not returned (although other passengers warned me right away that this company did not send anything, I decided to try my luck - and, as it turned out, in vain). I have never met representatives of this company anywhere, they usually have “silent” pick-up points with boxes, apparently so that no one has any questions. I didn’t try to contact them, because it’s not clear where to write, I didn’t have any contacts left. Now I issue Tax Free mainly through Global Blue - I receive cash at the airport or in Russia.

Today, Russians and citizens of other countries are increasingly traveling abroad to make some purchases there. At the same time, they leave the tax far beyond the bins of their homeland. But it has long been known that modern world each traveler has the opportunity to carry out a profitable operation, called the return of Tax free (a specific part of VAT). Tax free first appeared in the 1960s in Sweden. Since then, citizens of many countries have been actively using such an attractive opportunity to save cash.

Essence Tax free

Tax free - what is it? As noted above, this concept implies a VAT refund. Everyone knows that the presented tax is aimed at social Security society. Thus, it is included in the final cost of absolutely any product or service. As a rule, the value of VAT varies from 9 to 20 percent, which depends entirely on the individual settings of a particular state.

Why return Tax free? The answer to this question is much simpler than you might imagine. The fact is that tourists who have made some purchases, while paying the tax included in the price, do not have time to apply its social mechanisms, since they stay in the country for a very short period of time.

Brief description of the process itself

When making a purchase on the territory of another state, the tourist has the right to receive a special check. When leaving the country (at customs), this document must be stamped specifically for the transaction in question, which will become an absolute confirmation that the goods have been exported (Free tax filing). Only after the implementation of the above operation, the citizen is entitled to return VAT. Cash can be received both after customs clearance and upon arrival.

It should be noted that such a profitable system extends its action to approximately 20 countries of the world. In addition, the direct procedure for the return of part of the VAT in all countries is similar. Only restrictions on the minimum cost of objects purchased on the territory of another state, as well as the validity period of the check document, differ.

Tax free - what is it? Current Tax free systems

It is important to note that absolutely all VAT refund operations are entrusted to Tax free systems, endowed with a private nature. They act as an intermediary between tourists and a particular state. Each such system has in its structure several stores united in one network, as well as a number of offices designed to return money to citizens. It should be noted that any such system withholds a minimum commission as a reward for the implementation of such an important operation. Several systems are known in the world, the largest of which is the following.

Global tax free unites 36 countries (29 of them are in Europe), including Germany, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands and others. It should be noted that only seven countries corresponding to the presented system are located in other parts of the world (Japan, Argentina, South Korea etc). Global blue tax free was founded back in 1980 in Sweden. It is owned by Global Refund Group.

Other systems

The totality of the systems under consideration includes 3 more units in its structure, including:

• Premier Tax Free, which includes 20 countries (15 of them are located in Europe), including Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Sweden, Morocco, Singapore and others. The system was founded by the developers of The Fintrax Group in 1985 in Ireland.
• Tax Free Worldwide includes only 8 countries: Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Great Britain, Norway, Austria and others. It is important to note that most recently this system has merged with the one discussed above, Premier Tax Free.
• Innova Tax Free consists of six countries: Portugal, China, Italy, UK, France, Spain.

VAT refund conditions

Both foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, residence permit, work visa or refugee status in the country of purchase (and they must stay in its territory for no more than three months).

A necessary condition for the return of Tax free is the compliance of the goods with a certain list, including industrial products: shoes, clothing, jewelry, household goods, electronics, household appliances, accessories, stationery, watches and so on. It is important to note that the system does not cover the service sector. In addition, the exceptions are transport mechanisms, foodstuffs, books, precious metals (in bullion of the bank), precious stones that are separate from jewelry, goods for professional activities, as well as objects purchased via the Internet.

Issuance of a check document

The check document issued by an employee of a foreign store indicates the total value of the goods, as well as the amount of value added tax intended for return. The data is filled in by the seller by hand or through cash register. At the same time, it is not the responsibility of employees to fill in additional information regarding the client, but they, as a rule, willingly do this. It should be noted that in without fail the documentation must indicate the details of the bank card in the event that the client prefers to receive funds through this tool. After filling out the check by a trade employee, a foreign citizen only needs to verify the correctness of the data and sign. If possible, it is advisable to take a VAT refund brochure from the store (according to a specific system, for example, Tax Free blue)

It must be remembered that in any case there is a specific time period during which a particular product must leave the country where it was purchased. A Tax free check document with a customs stamp also has an expiration date.

Additional nuances

Return Tax such, see above) does not mean at all that the citizen will receive the amount of the specified value-added tax in full, because a certain part of the money goes to commission costs to the intermediary and administrative affairs. In relation to this provision, each country has organized an individual system of rules, which should be followed.

If the goods were purchased in one of the EU countries, then you need to stamp the check document not when leaving the country itself, but only when crossing the EU border. So, some troubles may arise if a citizen leaves the European Union through a transit stop. It should be recalled that the EU members are such countries as Poland, Romania, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, Malta, Hungary, Croatia, Sweden and others.

Ways to refund part of the VAT

Checks can be cashed in one of the following scenarios:

• Within the airport, which is the most fast way receiving funds.
• Through the postal organization. So, you need to leave a check document at the office of a certain system (Tax free in Moscow can be obtained using one of a number of existing systems). After a while, the funds will be transferred to a bank account or to a client's card. It is worth noting that the presented operation is quite long, because the period of its implementation often reaches four months.
• Through any point of issue, as a rule, in the city of residence of the client (however, this provision applies only to large-scale settlements). It is important to note that today you can organize the transaction in question without even leaving your home, through Free online tax filing.

Interesting to know! The subtleties of the return of part of the VAT in different countries

It would be advisable to note several useful facts related to the design of Tax free (what it is, we told at the beginning of the article) in different countries.

• According to check documents filled in the territory of Poland, funds are returned exclusively in cash.
• When leaving Slovenia, two stamps are required: on the check and on the Tax free form.
• To receive a part of the value added tax when buying woolen goods in Iceland, the presence of a seal on the check is not required.
• In the Netherlands, every tourist has the opportunity to return VAT even in the case of a purchase in a store that is not included in the Tax free shopping system. But a prerequisite for this is a second return to the country.
• In Norway, the stamp is not set at customs, but directly at the system office. In addition, it is the only country where a part of the value added tax is refunded for food products that are more expensive than 285 kroons.
• In your requirements: you must first register, and then just go to the customs officers. When registering, be sure to warn the employee that it is planned to issue Tax free. Thus, the baggage will be checked in, after which it will be returned to its owner.
• In countries such as Norway, Croatia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, individual stamps of a national character are provided. Therefore, the checks of these countries cannot be used in other places. So, a tourist can receive part of the value added tax only at the airport.

An important point in the event that a citizen suddenly forgot to put a stamp on a check document is the opportunity to do this upon arrival home at the embassy (consulate) of the country where the goods were purchased.

When traveling abroad and making purchases there, many do not think about what they can save, or rather, return part of the amount paid for the goods upon arrival back to Russia. The fact is that in each country VAT is included in the cost of goods. But since Since we live in Russia, we are not required to pay VAT in another country. Therefore, there is a Tax Free system that allows you to return up to 20% of the cost of goods (depending on the country) purchased abroad.

Tax Free refunds are handled by Global Blue (43 countries) and Premier Tax Free (29 countries). Basically, the Tax Free zone includes European countries.

To qualify for a tax refund:

• you do not need to be a citizen of the country where you make the purchase, have a residence permit there or work permit;
• you should not stay in this country for no more than 3 months;
• the cost of the goods (s) must be at least certain limits, different countries have their own limits, from 90 to 175 euros;
• the purchase must be made in a store participating in the Tax Free system;
• no more than 3 months must elapse between the purchase of the goods and its export

The Tax Free refund process is as follows:

1. We purchase goods in a store operating in Tax Free. The seller fills out a special form, and you will need a passport (maybe a copy will be enough).
2. At customs, you need to put a mark on the Tax Free check (you may need to present the purchased product itself).
3. You can return Tax Free immediately at the airport, in the zone duty free. You need to find "Cash refund" or "Tax refund" offices with Premium Tax Free or Global Blue Refund logos. Please note that there may be quite a few people who want to return the money and the procedure may take up to 20 minutes.
4. Return Tax Free upon arrival in Russia. To do this, you need to find the offices of banks that work with Premium Tax Free or Global Blue Refund. They can be viewed on the website www.globalblue.ru

Bank offices in Moscow where you can return Tax Free:

CJSC "Bank Intesa"
Krasnoproletarskaya street 30

CJSC "Bank Intesa"
24 Zacera Street 30

CJSC "Bank Intesa"
Sadovaya-Chernogryazskaya street 16-18, building 1
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 20:00, Sat: closed, Sun: closed

CJSC "Bank Intesa"
Bolshoy Gnezdnikovsky lane, 1, building 2
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 20:00, Sat: 10:00 - 17:00, Sun: closed

SMP BANK
Kutuzovsky pr-t 23, building 1

SMP BANK
Neglinnaya street 8/10

SMP BANK
Profsoyuznaya 7/12
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 20:00, Sat: 10:30 - 17:00, Sun: closed

SMP BANK
Kutuzovsky pr. 8
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 20:00, Sat: 10:00 - 18:00, Sun: 10:00 - 18:00

SMP BANK
Prospekt Mira 85
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 20:00, Sat: 10:00 - 20:00, Sun: 10:00 - 20:00

SMP BANK
8, building 2, Leningradskoe shosse
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 20:00, Sat: 09:00 - 20:00, Sun: 09:00 - 20:00

SMP BANK
16-18, building 1, Sadovaya - Chernogryazskaya
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 20:30, Sat: 10:00 - 17:30, Sun: closed

SMP BANK
10, building 1, Zhitnaya street
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 20:00, Sat: 10:00 - 20:00, Sun: closed

SMP BANK
26, 1 Tverskaya - Yamskaya street
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:15 - 21:00, Sat: 9:15 - 21:00, Sun: 10:00 - 19:30

MDM BANK
emb. Kotelnicheskaya, 33, building 1
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 20:30, Sat: closed, Sun: closed

MDM BANK
Lubyansky proezd, 21, building 1
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 20:00, Sat: 10:00 - 17:00, Sun: closed

MDM BANK
Profsoyuznaya 7/12

MDM BANK
st. 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya, 11
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 20:30, Sat: 10:00 - 19:00, Sun: closed

MDM BANK
st. 1st Bukhvostova, 12/11, cor. eleven
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 20:30, Sat: 10:00 - 19:00, Sun: closed

MDM BANK
Krasnaya Presnya st., 29
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 20:30 , Sat: 10:00 - 19:00, Sun: closed