Yes, groceries qualify
Tax-free shopping is not limited to handbags and perfume. All physical goods purchased in France by a non-EU resident qualify for a VAT refund, including food.
Wine, cheese, olive oil, foie gras, chocolate, biscuits, coffee, tea, pharmacy skincare. If the product goes through the register and leaves EU territory with you, it qualifies.
The €100.01 threshold
You need to spend at least €100.01 (TTC) to claim a refund.
With a traditional operator, this threshold applies per store per day. An €80 cart at Carrefour and €40 at Monoprix on the same day don't count together.
With Belcova, purchases at different partner stores add up. The €80 Carrefour cart + €40 Monoprix = €120. Eligible.
What qualifies
| Category | Examples | Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| General groceries | Pasta, rice, canned goods, fresh produce | Yes |
| Wine and spirits | Bordeaux, Champagne, Cognac (sealed bottles) | Yes |
| Cheese | Comté, Roquefort, Brie, goat cheese | Yes |
| Specialty foods | Foie gras, truffles, olive oil, jam | Yes |
| Chocolate and sweets | Bars, pralines, calissons | Yes |
| Coffee and tea | Beans, capsules, loose-leaf tea | Yes |
| Cosmetics | Creams, makeup, perfume | Yes |
| Pharmacy skincare | Bioderma, La Roche-Posay, Avène | Yes |
| Hygiene products | Shampoo, soap, toothpaste | Yes |
| Tobacco | Cigarettes, cigars | No |
| Prescription medication | Medical treatments | No |
VAT rates vary
Most food products carry a 5.5% VAT rate in France (reduced rate). The refund applies to this lower rate, not the standard 20%.
| VAT rate | Products | Refund on €100 purchase (Belcova, 80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | Cosmetics, non-food products | €13.33 |
| 10% | Prepared meals, some processed foods | €7.27 |
| 5.5% | Everyday food, water | €4.17 |
| 20% | Alcohol (wine, spirits, beer) | €13.33 |
Wine and spirits are taxed at 20%, same as non-food items. Your refund is higher on these purchases.
Strategy: maximize your refund
Consolidate your shopping. One supermarket trip to hit €100.01. A typical family cart (fresh produce, cheese, wine, household items) crosses the threshold.
Prioritize 20% VAT items. Cosmetics, alcohol, and non-food products generate a higher refund per euro than 5.5% food. A €150 basket with €80 of wine (20%) and €70 of groceries (5.5%) gives a refund of ~€13 (Belcova). The same basket all at 5.5% gives ~€6.
Keep every receipt. With Belcova, photograph each receipt in the app. Your account aggregates them.
Fresh goods and customs
French customs verifies that goods leave the EU. For perishables (meat, cheese, fruit), two considerations:
Transport. Perishables need to survive the journey. Use an insulated bag. Cheese and cured meats travel better than liquid dairy.
Destination country regulations. Some countries ban imports of animal products. The US prohibits meat and most raw-milk cheeses aged under 60 days. Australia bans nearly all fresh food products. Check your country's rules before buying.
Swiss residents: Swiss rules cap meat imports at 1 kg per person. Cheese and plant products have no quantity limits but fall under the CHF 300 duty-free allowance. See our Swiss residents guide.
Where to shop
With a traditional operator, you're limited to partner stores. Few supermarkets offer tax-free service at the counter.
With Belcova, you shop anywhere:
- Supermarkets: Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Monoprix, Casino, Intermarché
- Specialty food stores: Fauchon, Hédiard, La Grande Épicerie de Paris
- Wine merchants: Nicolas, Lavinia, independent wine shops
- Pharmacies: Citypharma, neighborhood pharmacies
Ask for a receipt, photograph it in the app. The form is generated.
FAQ
Do store-brand products qualify? Yes. The brand doesn't matter. If it's a physical good sold in France to a non-EU resident, it qualifies.
I shop weekly. Can I claim every time? Yes. No frequency limit. Each validated form triggers a refund.
Do sale or discounted items qualify? Yes. The refund applies to the VAT included in the price you paid, regardless of the original price.
Does click-and-collect qualify? Yes, if you pick up the goods in person with your passport and meet the threshold.
Does restaurant food or catering qualify? No for dine-in. Yes for takeaway packaged goods (deli items, pre-packaged prepared foods).
Belcova is launching soon. Get notified.