Most countries include sales tax (VAT) in the price on the tag. If you live somewhere else, you can usually claim it back when you take the goods home. In the EU you must live outside the EU. Refund companies keep a fee, so expect to get back roughly three quarters of the tax.
At a glance
| Country | Tax in the price | Minimum spend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 21% | None | Goods out of the EU within 3 months |
| Portugal | 23% | €50 before VAT (€61.50 on the tag) on one receipt | Goods out of the EU within 3 months |
| France | 20% | €100.01 in one shop, on one day | Forms validated by the end of the 3rd month after the month you bought |
| Italy | 22% | More than €70 on one invoice | Goods out of the EU by the end of the 3rd month after the invoice |
| Germany | 19% | More than €50 on one receipt | Goods out of the EU by the end of the 3rd month after the month you bought |
| Japan | 10% | ¥5,000 before tax (about ¥5,500) in one shop, on one day | Leave Japan within 90 days |
| South Korea | 10% | ₩15,000 on one receipt | Leave Korea within 3 months |
| Australia | 10% | A$300 from one business | Bought within 60 days before you leave |
No tourist refund: the UK, the US and Canada.
How to claim at the airport
- Spain: before you check your bags, scan each form at a DIVA kiosk with your passport, boarding pass and the goods. DIVA only works in Spain, so take a printed copy if you leave the EU from somewhere else.
- Portugal: after check-in, use an e-Taxfree kiosk by the customs area with your passport, boarding pass, the goods, invoices and forms. Green means validated.
- France: before you check your bags, scan each form at a PABLO kiosk. Red means take the goods and form to the customs desk.
- Italy: before you check your bags, take the goods, invoices and your passport to customs (or the refund company’s desk) for the digital stamp.
- Germany: at check-in, say you need a customs export stamp before your bag goes, then show the forms, goods and passport at the customs desk.
- Leaving the EU from another EU country: show the forms, goods and passport at that country’s customs desk before you check your bags. Kiosks only take forms from the country they’re in.
- Japan (from 1 November 2026): you pay the tax in the shop. Before you check any bags, go to a tax-free kiosk or the customs counter with your passport and the goods; the shop refunds you once customs confirms.
- South Korea: many shops refund at the till. Otherwise get the customs stamp before you check your bags, then collect the money at the refund counter or kiosk.
- Australia: keep the goods in your cabin bag and go to the TRS desk after passport control, at least 30 minutes before departure, with the original invoices.
Checked against each government’s own pages on 8 October 2026. Rules change, so check again before a long trip.
Sources
- Spain: Agencia Tributaria
- Portugal: Portal das Finanças, e-Taxfree
- France: French customs, PABLO
- Italy: Customs and Monopolies Agency
- Germany: German customs (Zoll)
- Japan: JNTO, the new tax-free system
- South Korea: VisitKorea
- Australia: Tourist Refund Scheme
In a shop right now? Scan the tag and see its price in 11 countries, in your own money, with the tax refund taken off.
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