The conditions in one table
| Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residence | Outside the European Union |
| Age | 16 or over |
| Stay | Less than 6 months |
| Amount | More than 100 euros incl. VAT (100.01) in one shop |
| Goods | Carried in your luggage, unused |
| Validation | PABLO kiosk, before leaving the EU |
The threshold applies to the same shop on the same day; the 2026 customs circular also allows adding up purchases over a few days from several shops in one city under the same VAT number: ask the seller.
The steps
- In the shop: say "tax free" before you pay and show your passport.
- Slip: the seller issues a slip with a barcode.
- At the airport: before checking in your bags, validate the slip at a PABLO kiosk; keep the goods in your hand luggage if customs may want to see them.
- Refund: the shop's refund operator pays it, to a bank card or in cash depending on the case.
Validation must take place before the end of the third month after the month of purchase.
Where to shop tax-free
Department stores such as Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Printemps have a refund service; see shopping malls and department stores and watches and haute couture. For an organised afternoon of shopping, a shopping day at La Vallée Village includes transport from Paris.
Mistakes to avoid
- Reaching the airport with no time for the kiosk: allow a margin.
- Checking the goods into the hold before validation.
- Forgetting your passport at the till.
FAQ
What is the minimum for a tax refund in France? More than 100 euros incl. VAT in one shop, i.e. 100.01.
Who pays the VAT back? The merchant, through its refund operator.
Where do I validate the slip? At a PABLO kiosk at the airport, station or port.
Can I validate on a flight to another EU country? Validation takes place at the last exit from the EU.
La rédaction Paris Authority, 29 October 2026.
