France tax-refund shopping

Standard VAT is 20%. VAT within a tax-inclusive price is 20/120, about 16.6667%, rather than a 20% refund of the sticker price.

Policy reviewed: Nov 1, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Price and tax rates

Standard VAT is 20%. VAT within a tax-inclusive price is 20/120, about 16.6667%, rather than a 20% refund of the sticker price.
You generally must be at least 16 and reside outside the EU. Qualifying purchases must exceed EUR 100 including VAT; up to three consecutive days may be combined under the same-retailer or eligible grouped-store rules on one BVE refund form.
Take the goods outside the EU by the end of the third month following the purchase month and complete the applicable PABLO/export validation. The retailer or its provider pays the refund.
Your net refund depends on the retailer, operator and payment method; fees remain unverified. Assuming an unknown fee is zero gives an estimate, not a payout; no nationwide net-refund amount-band table has been verified.

Source: Tax exemption in France for tourists - PABLO

Source: VAT rates applicable in France

Source: VAT refunds on tourist purchases: retailer rules and refund documents

Source: Tourists: tax-free shopping on purchases in France