Tax-free Shopping – How to get your VAT refund for Purchases in Germany
When you make a purchase in Germany, the price generally includes 19% VAT. If your place of residence is outside the EU and you take your purchases home with you, the VAT can be reimbursed. Here's how it works:
- Complete the export certificate for your purchases.
- Present the certificate along with your purchases and receipts at the customs office. You will also be required to present your passport and a plane ticket issued for the current date. Note: The custom office is past check in and security in Munich.
- Present the customs office confirmation at a Global Blue station at the airport. Here you can obtain your VAT reimbursement.
Please note: Without confirmation from the customs office, you will not be refunded VAT.
Here are the locations of the Global Blue exchange stations:
Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund for Purchases in Austria
Non-EU-residents can request a refund of the value-added tax for goods they purchased in Austria.
- All of the following requirements must be met:
a) The invoiced amount must exceed Euro 75.00.
b) Your passport must indicate a domicile/residence outside the European Union (EU).
c) You must export the item(s) with your personal luggage within three months of purchase.
d) You must show the item(s) to customs officials and obtain a stamp before leaving the European Union.
Note to d): When leaving Austria to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, you must obtain your customs stamp from Austrian customs officials either at the airport or the border crossing.
When leaving Austria to any other of the neighboring states (which are all EU members), you must obtain the customs stamp from the custom authorities of the last EU country you visit before leaving the EU (this does not include airport transit and connecting flights).
Example:
- If you fly into Munich, go by car/train to Austria for a ski/hockey vacation, and then fly back to Canada from Munich, you get your stamp from German customs officials.
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