The short version
You buy something in France. You live outside the EU. France refunds part of the 20% VAT you paid. Five minutes at the airport if you do it right.
Most tourists walk away from hundreds of euros because they skip the paperwork or use an operator that keeps half the refund.
Who qualifies
Four rules. All four apply:
- Non-EU resident. You hold a passport from outside the European Union. EU citizens who have lived abroad for 6+ months also qualify with proof of foreign residency.
- Age 16 or older.
- Personal use only. You're buying for yourself, not for resale.
- Departure within 3 months. The goods leave EU territory within 3 months of purchase.
Goods only. No services, no restaurant meals, no tobacco, no firearms, no uncut gemstones, no cars.
Minimum purchase: €100.01
You need to spend at least €100.01 (TTC) at a single store on the same day. Traditional operators can't combine receipts across stores: each store has its own contract, its own system, no shared view of your purchases. With Belcova, your account links every purchase at every partner store to one passport. Two €100 receipts at two different shops combine into one qualifying claim.
Some stores set their own minimum higher. Ask before you buy.
Step by step
1. Bring your passport
You need it at checkout. Stores scan the identity page to create your tax-free form. No passport, no form.
2. Ask for détaxe at the register
Look for "Tax Free Shopping" or "Détaxe" signs. Most major retailers in Paris participate: Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, Printemps, Sephora, Apple Store, Fnac.
The cashier creates a digital bordereau de détaxe linked to your passport number. You'll get a paper receipt or email with a barcode.
Check three things before you leave the store:
- Passport number matches yours
- Refund method is what you want (credit card, bank transfer)
- You have the form and receipt together
3. Validate at PABLO before your flight
PABLO (Programme d'Apurement des Bordereaux par Lecture Optique) is the French customs barcode scanner at airports and border crossings. Find the blue "Détaxe / Tax Refund" signs in the departure hall.
Scan the barcode. Two outcomes:
- Green screen (OK): Validated. Walk away.
- Red screen (KO): Go to the customs desk nearby with your passport, receipts, and the actual goods. Random inspections happen. High-value purchases trigger them more often.
CDG has PABLO kiosks in every terminal. Orly, Nice, Lyon, Marseille, and Gare du Nord (Eurostar) have them too. See our PABLO kiosk guide for exact locations and hours.
4. Get paid
After validation, the refund operator processes your payment:
| Method | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Credit card | 3-5 business days |
| Bank transfer | 5-10 business days |
| Cash (airport counter) | Immediate, but lower rate |
How much you actually get back
France charges 20% VAT on most goods. On a €120 purchase, €20 is tax. In theory you recover up to €16.67 (the tax portion of the gross price).
In practice, the refund operator takes a cut. How large depends on who processes your form.
| Operator type | Refund rate (of VAT) | On a €500 purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional operators | 50-60% | €41-50 |
| Belcova | up to 80% | up to €66 |
On a €2,000 shopping trip, picking the right operator puts €80-120 more in your pocket.
The math on a real shopping trip
You spend €3,000 across three stores in Paris (each over €100.01). Total VAT in that price: €500.
| Scenario | Your refund | Lost to fees |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional operator at 55% | €275 | €225 |
| Belcova at 80% | €400 | €100 |
| Skip détaxe entirely | €0 | €500 |
Seven ways to keep more
- Consolidate when you can. Buy everything you can at one store in one visit. Two €80 purchases at the same store, same day = one €160 purchase. With Belcova, purchases at different partner stores also aggregate because your account tracks everything under one passport.
- Pick your operator. The store chooses the default operator, but some stores work with more than one. Ask which operators they support and compare refund rates.
- Arrive early. PABLO kiosks queue up during morning departure rushes. Budget 30 minutes if you have more than two forms.
- Pack goods in your carry-on. Customs can ask to see the items. If they're in checked luggage, you might need to retrieve them.
- Don't open sealed products. Customs can reject items that look used. Keep perfumes and electronics sealed until you're home.
- Check your forms before leaving the store. A wrong passport digit means a rejected form at the airport.
- Photograph every validated screen. If a refund goes missing, the photo proves your form passed PABLO.
FAQ
Can I get a refund on food or wine? Wine and spirits: yes, if sealed and over the minimum. Groceries: yes, same rules. Restaurant meals: no.
What if my PABLO scan fails? Go to the customs desk. It might be a random inspection or a data entry error. Bring your passport, receipts, and the goods. See the PABLO troubleshooting guide.
Do I validate before or after check-in? Before. PABLO kiosks sit in the departure hall before security in most terminals. Some terminals (CDG T2E/F) have kiosks after security too, but plan for before.
Can I combine purchases from different days at the same store? No. Each form covers a single day's purchases at a single store.
I'm transiting through another EU country. Where do I validate? At your last EU exit point. Flying Paris to London? Validate at CDG. Flying Paris to Zurich to Tokyo? Validate at CDG (Switzerland is not EU, so France is your last EU stop).
Belcova is launching soon. Get notified when we open.