What is tax refund at the airport? Detailed tax refund procedure.

If you plan to shop abroad, don't miss the tax refund procedure at the airport. This policy is a consumer stimulus measure, designed to allow travelers to spend comfortably while also accessing products in the host country.

So, what is tax refund at the airport and what is the procedure for tax refund at the airport? Let’s explore all the useful information about how to get a tax refund at the airport in the article below with Vietjet!

When shopping during your trips abroad, don't forget to complete the tax refund procedure at the airport.

1. Overview of tax refund at the airport

1.1 What is tax refund at the airport?

Tax refund at the airport is a process that allows passengers to receive a refund on the taxes paid when shopping. Under this system, after making purchases and before departing, travelers can apply for a tax refund at designated counters at the airport. This process helps you recover a portion or all of the taxes paid. It not only helps save costs but also serves as an attractive benefit for tourists and shoppers when traveling abroad.

1.2 Why are you eligible for a tax refund at the airport?

Paying taxes is the responsibility of every citizen to the country they reside in. Most items you purchase already include taxes in the sale price, commonly known as Value Added Tax (VAT). If you are not a citizen of that country, you are not required to pay this tax.

Therefore, when you travel abroad and shop, you are eligible to receive a refund for the VAT paid on the items purchased in that country. You can complete the tax refund process at the international airport before concluding your trip to reclaim this amount.

When traveling abroad and shopping, you will receive a refund for the VAT paid on items purchased in that country.

1.3 Types of goods eligible for tax refund

The types of goods eligible for a tax refund at the airport may vary depending on the country you visit. However, generally, goods eligible for a tax refund must be subject to VAT, unused, and allowed to be carried onto the plane according to aviation safety regulations. Additionally, you must ensure that the items you purchase are not listed in the Export Prohibited or Restricted Export Goods categories.

In many countries, you can check whether the items you bought are eligible for a tax refund by looking for tags on the products with logos such as “Tax Free” or Global Blue Tax Free Shopping, Global Tax Free, or Tourist Refund on the Go. To be certain, you can also ask the sales staff if your receipt qualifies for a tax refund at the airport.

Learn more: What is a duty-free shop? How to shop duty-free at the airport.

2. What is the tax refund rate?

The tax refund amount at the airport can vary depending on the country where you travel and shop. It typically ranges from 7% to 20%. Here are some examples of tax refund rates in certain countries:

Japan: The VAT rate is 8%.
Singapore: The VAT rate is 7%.
France: The VAT rate is 20%.

3. How to get a tax refund at the airport?

3.1 Eligibility for tax refund

Depending on the regulations of each country, here are some basic conditions for you to be eligible for a tax refund at the airport:

You must be a foreign tourist and preparing to return to your home country.
The purchase invoice must be made within a certain period. For example, in South Korea, your invoice should not be older than 3 months before the departure date, while in Vietnam and Australia, it should be within 60 days.
The purchased goods must have a valid invoice and tax refund form.
The purchase invoice must meet a minimum value requirement. For example, in Australia, it must be at least 300 AUD (approximately 4,000,000 VND), or in Singapore, it is 100 SGD (approximately 1,800,000 VND),....

To ensure you meet the requirements for a tax refund in the country you're visiting, you should research the specific policies and prepare thoroughly. These regulations are usually published on the airport's website.

Depending on the regulations of each country, the conditions and procedures may vary. To ensure you meet the requirements for a tax refund in the country you're visiting, you should research the specific policies and prepare thoroughly.

3.2 What documents are required to complete the tax refund procedure at the airport?

As per the regulations, you need to prove that you are not a citizen of the country when applying for a tax refund at the airport. Therefore, you should prepare the following documents in advance when completing the tax refund procedure:

Passport: The original passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Purchase receipt: Keep the receipt that clearly shows information about the product, price, VAT, and purchase date. Generally, countries require the invoice and tax refund form to be issued within 60 days before the departure.
Tax refund form: When shopping at stores, you need to ask the sales staff to provide a "Tax-Free Form" and fill out the required information.
Purchased products: Travelers should also bring all purchased products (including boxes, manuals, labels, etc.) for inspection at the tax refund counter.

Learn more: Tips for shopping at the Incheon airport duty-free store

4. Some things to note when completing the tax refund procedure at the airport:

When completing the tax refund process at the airport, to ensure everything goes smoothly, you should keep in mind the following conditions and procedures:

The process may take some time, so to avoid missing your flight, you should arrive at the airport 3 to 4 hours before your flight.
It's advisable to research and locate the tax refund counter at the airport beforehand to save time.
Check the operating hours of the tax refund counter at the airport to avoid any unnecessary delays.
You need to show all the goods you wish to claim a tax refund for to customs for inspection and verification before proceeding with the refund process.
Once customs has completed the document verification, you can check in either before or after the tax refund process. Your luggage will be placed on the plane earlier if you check in early and inform the staff that you need to inspect goods for a tax refund. Staff will return your checked luggage after you attach the name tag.
If the items requiring a tax refund need to be sent as checked luggage or are liquids, you must complete the tax refund process before checking in for your flight.
You should also take a photo of your receipt in case you lose the paper version. Many places will still accept the receipt via a photo.

You should check the operating hours of the tax refund counter at the airport to avoid unnecessary delays.

With the helpful information above, we hope you can complete the tax refund procedure at the airport smoothly and have a more fulfilling overseas trip. Additionally, to make your trip even more cost-effective, don’t forget to book your flight with Vietjet. As one of the largest airlines in Vietnam, Vietjet operates a wide range of international flights to famous travel destinations around the world. Along with professional service, Vietjet offers affordable prices suitable for a wide range of customers.

Booking an international flight with Vietjet will help you optimize your travel expenses. Furthermore, Vietjet offers incredibly attractive deals for passengers. Customers who book flights with Vietjet can enjoy the international flight promotion for only 0 VND. This offer applies when booking between 12 PM and 2 PM daily. For more details, click HERE!

To "hunt" for cheap international flight tickets, don't miss the 0 VND flight promotion at Vietjet.

Additionally, to stay updated on the latest flight schedules and ticket prices for new routes from Vietjet, as well as other useful travel information, you can visit the following official channels: