Tax free at rome airport hand luggage. Global Blue tax free points in Rome. Where to get Tax Free

Thirty kilometers southeast of Rome is located small town Fiumicino. It is unlikely that its name would be widely known to tourists if there were no main airport Italy, named after the great genius Leonardo da Vinci.

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It was built in 1961 with the aim of relieving the very compact Ciampino airport. Having undergone numerous changes, it has become a convenient and safe air harbor, through which approximately forty million passengers pass each year. Its services are used by all VIPs visiting the country, influential politicians and businessmen.

The airport area is divided into several terminals:

T1 serves passengers who have Schengen visas. T2 is intended for charter flights. T3 accepts international flights, whose passengers undergo passport control, as well as aircraft of the Italian company Alitalia.T5 serves flights to the USA and Israel.

The airport has a cargo terminal, four runways, a waiting room, escalators, a baggage claim, a huge hall, and other specialized premises, the diagram of which can always be seen on the electronic display.

The terminals offer free Wi-Fi access and non-smoking rooms. In the terminal building itself you can have a snack in a cafe, exchange currency, buy souvenirs or necessary medicines.

There are numerous ATMs at the airport where you can withdraw euros from your card. Other currencies can be obtained at exchange offices open from 6.00 to 23.00.

There is a luggage storage facility on the territory of the third terminal, open from 6.30 to 23.30. The cost of this service per day is six euros.

It will be interesting and useful for parents to know that at Fiumicino Airport there is a mother and child room where you can leave your child for certain time. There, experienced nannies will look after him while moms and dads are busy shopping, completing documents or other matters. Passengers can also be provided with qualified medical assistance if necessary.

Moving around the airport

You can travel between airport terminals by shuttle buses, which are free of charge. The interval between flights is 20 minutes. One of them serves terminals T1, T2 and T3, and the other circulates between T3 and T5.

You should know that from 01.00 to 04.00 these buses arrive only when passengers call. For this purpose, there are intercom buttons installed at bus stops.

Additionally, terminal T3 can be reached by a small automatic train.

Registration procedure

All tourists are warned in advance that it is best to arrive for the registration procedure and preliminary ticket control 2.5 - 3 hours before departure. This is due to the duration of this procedure, especially when it comes to departure to the USA and Israel.

But for clients who use the services of the airport’s VIP lounge, they have the opportunity to go through passport and customs control, receive registration documents and baggage checks without queuing or long waits. They offer an airport bar menu, free and unlimited Wi-Fi, and the latest newspapers and magazines.

Tax-free refund at Fiumicino airport

For tourists arriving from countries outside the EU, there is a Tax-free service, which implies a refund of 20% of the cost of purchased goods whose price exceeds 155 euros. There are several intermediary companies involved in VAT refunds. One of them is Global Blue.

If the seller of the goods has an agreement with her, then the money will be returned to the client before boarding the plane. Other companies transfer money to clients’ cards after they have departed from Italy. The only condition is the presence of a Tax Refund check, which must be stamped by customs.

Nearest hotels

Unfortunately, sometimes weather or other unforeseen circumstances force passengers to wait overnight for departure. To avoid spending this time at the airport, you can use the services of hotels located near the terminal exits. There are only three such establishments, and they include:

Hilton Roma Airport

This is a fairly expensive 4-star hotel, where clients are provided with a high level of service, varied cuisine and multiple Additional services, included in the price of accommodation, which is about 200 euros per night.

Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport

The hotel also belongs to the 4-star class and has approximately the same range of services as the option described above. The cost of a room per night is approximately 130 euros.

Welcome Airport Hotel

It belongs to the 2-star budget establishments, where you can spend the night inexpensively but quite comfortably while waiting for your flight.

To save money, you can go to Fiumicino, where you can find a hotel where accommodation will range from 30 to 70 euros per night.

How to get from the airport to Rome

The trip from Leonardo da Vinci Airport to Rome does not take much time and does not present any difficulties, as passengers are provided with numerous types of transport.

Bus routes

Perhaps the most easily accessible means of transportation is the Cotral bus. But there are two significant drawbacks, which include the inconvenience of carrying bulky luggage and the lack of night flights.

Railway transport

The most economical way to travel is by rail. The disadvantages of this option include the low speed of this type of transport and problems with transporting large luggage.

Taxi

This is a convenient but expensive form of transport. Its cost, according to the municipal tariff, is 40 euros. This includes baggage allowance. The number of passengers should not be more than four people.

When using the services of local taxi drivers, you need to be prepared for what he may call more high price, counting on the inexperience of the tourist. But a correct indication of the real price puts everything in its place, although it slightly lowers the driver’s mood.

Transfer

This is the most convenient way to travel from the airport to Rome, with virtually no disadvantages. It attracts attention, first of all, to passengers traveling with children. Having discussed this detail in advance, the client receives a car with seats equipped for children, and a spacious luggage compartment, where large-sized items can fit hand luggage, stroller and so on.

System Tax free in Rome implies a benefit for tourists in the form of reimbursement of a certain percentage of the amount spent on. More precisely, tax-free is a procedure for refunding the DS tax on goods exported outside the country within whose borders the transaction took place. Not only in Rome, but also in other cities, this procedure requires travelers to waste time and nerves. Return the required part of the money before departure from Eternal City and the companies Global Blue, Tax Refund S.p.a help to use the proceeds. and Premier Tax Free.

With the help of intermediaries, it is possible to significantly simplify tax free, but the tourist should understand that the operation can only be carried out with those with whom the intermediary companies have entered into a special agreement. As a rule, visitors to the city learn about the right to return interest from the logo of the partner organization operating in Rome, located on the front door.

In order to appreciate the beauty of the tax-free system in Italy, a tourist needs to spend an amount of 155 euros. It doesn’t matter what product is purchased, intermediaries in Rome are interested in other nuances: they check whether the purchases were made in the same shopping center or during the same day.

Tax free in Rome can be issued at the request of the client during the payment process at the checkout. In addition to the check, the buyer receives fattura. This document contains information about the total amount and the amount planned for reimbursement through tax free. When buying branded items or parting with a large sum, providing information from your passport is a must in Rome.

In order to use tax free in Rome by visiting one of the offices of the selected intermediary company, you need to have a whole package of documents with you:

• goods purchased in Rome in original packaging that have not been used;
• receipt received at the store;
• fattura;
• international passport;
• credit card;
• return ticket with a fixed departure date from Rome.

Buyers do not have the opportunity to appreciate the benefits of tax free without using their own credit card. It is a guarantee for the company, which helps to return a percentage of the transaction in case the export of goods from Rome occurs improperly. An example is the absence of a customs stamp on the invoice or the return of official paper to the company’s office late. In such a development, the tax free amount is debited from the card and another 15% on top is the debit payment (cannot be disputed or refunded).

Global Blue Tax Free locations in Rome

Glodal Blue Lounge Roma

Piazza di Spagna, 29

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (10:00-19:30).
Maximum return to the card within the tax-free system: 14999.50 euros.
Tax free cash refund limit: 2999.50.

If the transaction is carried out in cash, the intermediary company in Rome will charge an additional fee, determined taking into account the purchase amount:

• no more than 25 € – 3 euros;
• 25-80€ – 4 euros;
• 80-500€ – 5 euros;
• 500-2999.50€ – 1% of the refund amount.

There is no fee when returning tax free in Rome to your card.

Maccorp Forexchange

Via del Lavator, 88/a;
Via del Caravita, 6;
Piazza Rotunda, 68/b – taxi free in Rome, right opposite the Pantheon.

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (10:30-19:30); on Sundays (11:30-18:30).

Via Cola di Rienzo, 173, ground floor

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (10:00-20:00); on Sundays (10:30-20:00).

The limit on the amount for one buyer in Rome is 500 euros. When receiving interest in cash, each submitted tax free form is paid (3 euros).
Shopping at Castel Romano Designer Outlet - a chance to travel from Rome for 15 euros!

Premier Tax Free locations in Rome

Forexchange

Termini Station, Piazza dei Cinquecento

Tax free office in Rome next to the station premises. Available any day of the week from 07:00 to 20:00.

Forexchange

Via del Caravita, 6

Schedule in Rome: Monday to Saturday (10:30-19:30); on Sundays (11:30-18:30).

Premier tax free

Via Gregoriana, 54

Schedule: Monday to Friday (09:00-18:00).

Best and Fast

Via Nazionale, 19

Available any day of the week from 07:45 to 21:00.

Korea Lottecard

Plaza de España, 80. Available any day of the week from 09:30 to 20:00.

Plaza de España, 38. Open Monday to Friday (09:00-17:30); on Saturday closing is set at 12.30.

Via Lazio, 10. Open Monday to Friday (09:30-19:00), closing on Saturday at 13:00.

1. The standard DS tax in Rome and other Italian cities is exactly 22%. The value may differ depending on the product group:

• alcoholic beverages, jewelry, glass products, leather
• clothing, textiles, sunglasses – 22%;
• cheeses, meat products – 10%
• herbs, including sage, oregano and basil - 5%;
• dairy products, vegetables, bread, fruits and prescription glasses – 4%.

2. If you purchase goods in EU countries, tax free rules state that you need to export them no later than three months from the date indicated on the receipt.

3. The fattura form required for tax free contains the amount spent and the total amount payable for goods purchased in Rome. There are special fields for entering passport data, home address, and full name.

4. To implement tax free, the buyer must show customs officers all goods purchased in Rome (packaging must be original, use is prohibited), fattura and receipt. Having received the documents, employees affix a stamp indicating compliance with the formalities.

5. Placing a customs stamp is an operation performed when leaving the territory of the EU countries. If you are planning a trip from Rome to cities in states that are members of the European Union, the check mark is placed in the last of them.

6. After customs control has been successfully completed in Rome, it is recommended to send a check and stamped invoice by mail. The documents are placed in an envelope issued by store employees during the tax free registration process. You have the right to submit documents to Rome with permanent place accommodation, however there is an additional charge. When using tax free, it is important to deliver the form to the office within 21 days.

Tip: Book your flight tickets online in advance before traveling to Rome.

Tax free in Rome is a truly profitable bonus, the size of which depends on the category of goods purchased. The procedure is greatly simplified by contacting intermediary companies. They operate strictly within the framework of the agreement concluded with the stores, so any violations of agreements are excluded. The buyer’s task is to meet the allotted time and amount limits and provide a set of documentation. You must provide your details along with it. credit card in order to write off any possible debit payment.

Our tips for Rome:

• How to avoid queues at Rome attractions. Tickets to the Colosseum bypassing the queue.
• How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Book a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi - KiwiTaxi .
• Rome City Pass is a single card that will simplify the organization of your holiday in Rome and help significantly save time and money.

The Soviet era of total shortages is long gone. Domestic counters are literally “groaning” from imported abundance. The era has passed, but the harmful bacillus, which encourages our compatriots to look for exclusive items in the West, has taken root in our consciousness forever. And it doesn’t matter that you have to overpay for this “exclusive” (which has ceased to be such for 20 years now). Do the math: air tickets, visas, hotels, transfers - all this ultimately results in solid numbers. Maybe that’s why (in order to sweeten the expensive pill), the leadership of the EU countries came up with a plan for the Russians, Chinese, Japanese TAX FREE?

And the EU leadership is also making sure that we remember for a long time the long tails of queues “for something” in beautiful Soviet time. After all, it is almost impossible to get a refund after a shopping spree in Italy without tedious waiting. But, jokes aside, our story is on a serious topic. So…

Dedicated to all Russians shopping in Italy...

What is TAX FREE?

International VAT refund system for people not residing in EU countries. This means that Russians (Chinese, Arabs, Japanese) making a trip to Italian stores can soften the bitterness of losing their money by returning a small percentage.

What is the refund amount?

IN different countries TAX FREE percentage varies. Tax free in Italy - 22%. It's official. In fact, its value varies greatly. Stores enter into unfavorable agreements with intermediaries for tourists, which we will talk about later. As a result, a Russian citizen receives 11-13%, instead of 22%. The exception is exclusive stores (jewelry, fur). In them, the returned amount sometimes reaches several thousand euros.

Minimum purchase price

The total amount of purchases is above 155 €. They must be completed during the day and certainly in one store, less often - in one trading house. For example, Milan Center La Rinascente At the Global Blue office, a general tax free invoice is issued for all purchases in different boutiques.

Which stores offer Tax Free?

We noticed shop windows with a logo or Global Blue, or Tax Refund or Premier Tax Free- that way. There are more than 18,000 such outlets in Italy.

How to ask a seller about Tax Free?

After choosing a product and going to the checkout, say: "Tax Free, per favor". Say the phrase before making a purchase.

What documents are required?

Personally, you need a passport. For large purchases, branded equipment (for example, Apple) without a passport, a discount will not be issued.

The store is obliged to issue:

• Fattura- a special invoice, which indicates: the purchase amount (as in the receipt) and the return amount (without this figure, customs officers will not put the required stamp). Sellers may fill out your personal information themselves or ask you to do so.

Return methods

1. In the city before leaving.
2. At the airport of Rome, Milan, Naples, Rimini, Verona, Pisa, Bologna.
3. In Moscow.

Return in the city

Without waiting for the return flight, you can return the taxi free at the city offices of the return points. A list of Global Blue offices is available on globalblue.ru. A list of TAX Refund points is available on the website taxrefund.it. When going for money, take:

1. Product.
2. Fattura.
3. Passport.
4. Return ticket.
5. Credit card.

The tax-free return procedure looks like this. Employees, after checking the checks, pay the money, while recording the credit card details. You undertake, in turn, to send stamped checks to the office address on time. Otherwise, the amount paid and a fine for failure to fulfill the agreement will be debited from the card.

Expensive fur and jewelry boutiques provide a similar service without intermediaries. This is the most profitable return for the buyer. Such stores return the maximum percentage (22%). That is, you are buying a product that is “cleared” of value added tax (VAT).

There are special boxes at the airport for stamped checks in a branded envelope (issued along with the fattura). The envelope can be sent from Russia by post, having attached the necessary stamps.

Standard return procedure at Italian airports

1. Take your boarding pass.
2. Approach the dogana (customs point) with documents (coupon, passport, checks, fattura) and with things purchased in the country. Do not cut off labels from products.
3. The customs officer, after checking the purchases and receipts, puts a stamp.
4. Find items Global Blue, or Tax Refund or Premier Tax Free and present stamped receipts.
5. You receive the money in cash or leave your credit card details, to which the entire amount will be transferred in 3-5 days.

Yaroslav, St. Petersburg:

“I left my card details at the Rome airport (in January 2019). I waited 2 weeks in vain. I thought my blood was crying! It’s good that I kept the piece of paper with the phone number from Premier Tax Free. I called. I had to “growl” in Italian-English. I received mine after 3 weeks. Unpleasant story."

Rome. Tax Free at Aeroporto di Fiumicino

There are 2 customs offices in the building. The first is intended for passengers wishing to send items purchased in Italy as luggage. Huge queues, in which it is easy to lose 2 hours, are 100% inevitable. The undoubted advantage of this item is a superficial inspection of purchases.

Olga, Petrozavodsk:

“I once received TAX FREE by showing a used Naf Naf dress instead of a purchased Max Mara outfit.”

You will see the second dogana behind the store Salvatore Ferragamo after going through passport control. This dogana undergoes the procedure for those who “prefer to carry everything they own with them” rather than check it in as luggage. The queue here is small, but things are examined more carefully.

Opposite this customs house there is a crowd of people at the window Global Blue. Direct refunds occur in this window. Be patient and take time (the final step will take another 40 minutes).

Milan. Tax Free at Aeroporto di Milano - Malpensa

The first customs office (registration hall) checks checks more quickly than the passport control point. In the window Premier Tax Free(return) for some reason there are always fewer people than in the other two. Experienced shopping lovers in Milan know this and initially look for stores that have entered into contracts with this intermediary company. Return office hours are available at airportmalpensa.com.

Vera, Tula:

“The worst airport in terms of refunds! Active Arabs and disciplined Chinese visit Milan with the only mission - to collect more goods. Three-hour queues, noise, hassle. You wouldn't wish it on your enemy! Passengers who get lost in queues are often called over the loudspeaker, and they drop everything and run to the plane.”

Rimini. Tax Free at Aeroporto di "Federico Fellini"

Map of Federico Fellini airport.

Customs is located next to the check-in counters for planes flying to Russia. Customs officers are extremely picky: they open the boxes, check the letters on the store receipt with the letters on the product label. The inspection takes 20 (at least) minutes.

Cash collection points are located on the second floor. You need to get to them before going through passport control.

Moscow. Return Tax Free

In Moscow, refunds are made:

• First Czech-Russian Bank;
• SMP Bank;
• Intesa;
• Promsvyazbank;
• MDM Bank.

Not all Moscow bank branches can make payments., therefore, before you go for hard-earned money, call and check the address of the desired branch. The receipts you present must be stamped by Italian customs officers.

Do not forget!

• TAX FREE checks for Italian purchases are valid for 3 months. Make sure you meet this deadline!
• For each Fattura, upon receipt of cash, a commission of 3 € is charged.

Farewell parable

At the planning meeting, the director of the holding instructs managers:
- Ask the client what he wants more: a discount or the product itself. If a discount is more important to him, offer the product for triple the price with a 50% markdown - let him be happy!

Sometimes, when picking up an item worth more than 155 €, an excited shopper does not notice that she is choosing an unnecessary item (skirt, trousers). At home she sighs in disappointment: “Why did I grab this?” The resulting benefit is zero. Don't make mistakes!

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations, including for shopping. The European tax free system allows tourists from Russia to return part of the cost of goods purchased in stores included in the TAX FREE SHOPPING system. The amount refunded depends on the rate of value added tax (VAT) included in the price of the purchased item. VAT rates are set independently by each country and may vary depending on the type of goods (groceries, books, household appliances, etc.).

In Italy the standard VAT rate is 22%. But this does not mean that you will receive a tax free refund of 22% of the purchase price. The VAT rate is set to the cost of goods without VAT. For example, the factory set the price for a dress at 100 euros. When selling, value added tax is added to this price at the rate set by the state, in this case 22 euros. If we calculate the share of VAT (22 euros) in the total price (122 euros), it will be 18%.

We must not forget that tax free operators (Global Blue and other intermediaries) withhold a commission from this amount to finance their activities. The larger the purchase amount, the lower the percentage of the commission charged. There may also be fees for returning tax free in cash, and if the issue is not in euros (for example, in dollars due to the lack of euros), then also for currency conversion.

The maximum tax free refund percentage that a tourist can receive is 15.5%. In addition, there are groups of goods for which VAT rates are significantly lower. For example, on food products the VAT rate is from 4% to 10%. For some goods, tax refunds are not provided at all (cars, gasoline).

The official Global Blue website has a calculator that will show the refund amount depending on the total cost of purchases.

The minimum amount for a tax free refund in Italy is purchases of at least €154.94 in one day in one store.

Registration of tax free in the store

Stores that are part of the tax free system can be identified by the corresponding signs with the tax free logo at the entrance (see photo above). To take advantage of the VAT refund, you need to ask the seller (cashier) to fill out a special tax free check (form) and present your passport. A sample of filling out the form is shown.

In large supermarkets, a separate office is usually created to process such checks (forms).

The form contains your passport number, name, credit card number if you plan to return by cashless transfer, and other necessary information (see sample).

Items purchased are indicated either on the form or on a separate invoice, which in this case is attached to the form. All cash receipts are also included with the form. Carefully check that the data is filled out correctly, as errors may cause problems when receiving a customs stamp and tax refund.

Registration and return of tax free at Rimini airport

A prerequisite for a tourist to receive a tax refund is the presence in the tax free forms of a customs stamp confirming the fact of export of goods outside of Italy. To receive a mark, the customs service must present:

· Fully completed tax free forms and all receipts for goods for which you want to receive a tax refund.

· Purchased goods in original packaging and without signs of use.

· Personal passport.

· Travel documents(boarding pass or printed ticket).

The sequence of actions depends on whether you are transporting your purchases in hand luggage or in checked baggage

In case purchases are in checked baggage, before visiting the check-in counters for your flight, you must obtain customs stamps on tax free forms. The customs office is located on the ground floor of the airport to the left of the flight check-in counters (as viewed from the main entrance). You can recognize it by the sign: “Check-in tax-free” (pictured below).

Once cleared by customs, you can head to the check-in counter to drop off your luggage and check in for your flight, if you have not previously done so through online check-in.

Then you need to go to the inspection area following the “Security Check” sign (to the left of the main entrance), from where you get to passport control.

If purchases are in hand luggage, like all air passengers, you should first go to the check-in counters to receive your boarding pass and baggage drop-off, then to the security check area at the “Security Check” sign (to the left of the main entrance), and to passport control.

At passport control on the wall you can see an inconspicuous notice with the following content:

“TAX FREE is located after passport control on the first floor. You first go up to the second floor and then go down again to the first along the stairs located near the bar. You go up the same stairs to the second floor for boarding.”

We explain the meaning of this announcement. After going up to the second floor after passport control by stairs or elevator, in the departure hall you need to go around the store located in the center of the hall on the left. Diagonally from the entrance to the hall there is the bar mentioned in the advertisement, and opposite it there are stairs and an escalator leading to the first floor (pictured below).

Going down to the first floor, to the right of the stairs you will see the customs office for passengers carrying purchases in hand luggage (pictured below).

Customs control at Rimini airport

For those who doubt it, there is a note attached to the glass: “Customs control. Passengers with hand luggage must be stamped to receive TAX FREE."

As in the case of purchases in luggage, customs officers are presented with tax free forms with original cash receipts, purchases in manufacturer's packaging, a personal passport and travel documents.

Only after receiving a customs stamp can you apply for a VAT refund.

VAT refund at Rimini airport

Receipt of reimbursement on tax free forms from the Global Blue operator (blue) is carried out in the office on the ground floor, located next to the customs control point for hand luggage (pictured below).

VAT refund at Rimini airport (1st floor)

Present the form with a customs stamp and indicate how you want to receive your refund: cash or credit card.

When returning in cash, the amount should not exceed 3,000 EUR, and for each form, depending on the amount of compensation, an additional fee of 3 to 8 EUR is charged. For a refund amount of more than 800 EUR, the commission will be 1%.

When returning to a credit card, no such fee will be charged and the maximum refund amount will increase to EUR 5,000.

If you don't have time to stand in line for a return, use the prepaid Global Blue envelope you received in store with your form. Enclose the form in an envelope and place it in the blue mailbox located near the Global Blue office (shown with a red arrow in the photo).

There are two more backup options for receiving a refund. IN major cities In Russia, VAT refunds for foreign purchases are issued by several banks, the addresses of which are given.

In addition, the tax free form can be sent by mail when you return home. In this case, do not forget to attach postage stamps, since the envelope is prepaid only for Italy, and the Russian Post will return your letter to you.

If there is no special envelope, the form is sealed in a regular envelope, onto which stamps are affixed and the address of the corresponding operator is indicated. For Global Blue, for example: Global Blue, P.O. BOX 363, 81000 Bratislava, Slovakia (Slovakia)

Please ensure that your credit card number, home address and name are entered correctly and legibly (in capital letters).

Another taxi return operator, TAX REFUND, is located on the second floor of the airport to the right of the entrance to the departure hall.

VAT refund at Rimini airport (2nd floor)

The procedure there is similar to that described above.

Another option to save money on purchases is to purchase goods in duty-free stores in the Republic of San Marino, the distance to the border with which is less than ten kilometers. In addition to economical shopping, very interesting sights and a medieval atmosphere await you there.

Read more about the attractions and how to get there in the articles:

If you are just planning your holiday in Rimini, we recommend choosing a hotel in the Marina Centro area, as the main attractions of this area are within walking distance ancient city. You can view prices and hotel locations on the map below.

Tax-Free is a system now known throughout the world for returning a certain percentage of purchases made abroad. This percentage is VAT, and in Italy it is 22%. But before you rejoice, it’s worth learning about some of the nuances and conditions of this refund, which, by the way, can be very strict.

The first thing to remember when counting on Tax-Free in Italy is that not all stores work with this system. Everything is explained by elementary benefits - not every store owner agrees to give part of the profit back to the buyer, even if this will attract much more more tourists exactly to his store. Information about Tax-free is most often available right at the entrance to the store, or at the checkout.

The second important point will be the minimum purchase amount for a Tax-Free refund. In Italy this amount is 154 euros on every shop. Even if the purchase amount is a few euro cents less, a refund automatically becomes impossible.

Also, with each purchase you must have with you passport for filling special formtax-free. It is issued immediately in the store, but you can fill it out at a time convenient for you. You just have to remember that the validity period of the form with a check is 3 months, after which the amount of your Tax-free expires.

IMPORTANT: A form filled out with errors or not completely filled out is considered invalid!

Return Tax-Free

You can return that same 22% of a purchase made in Italy in several ways, which are not all mentioned Russian tourists know. It is not always necessary to stand in a long line at the airport; there are more efficient ways.

In the shop

Tourists who value their own time can apply for a VAT refund directly in the store; to do this, you just need to make sure that the department you choose offers such a service. Just look at the signs at the store checkout and see one of the logos of the so-called Tax-free companies on it.

IMPORTANT: In total, there are 3 companies in Italy that are responsible for issuing Tax-free and refunding money. These are: Global Blue (headquartered in Sweden), Premier Tax Free (Irish company) and Tax Refund (Italian company). As a rule, tourists turn mainly to Global Blue, which is not always correct - they have the longest queues.

But, even if you applied for Tax-free immediately upon purchase, you only saved yours and others’ time at the airport; in order to get your money back, you will have to stand in line and go through the standard check procedure with a customs officer.

Return Tax-free completely and immediately in the shop It is possible only for a certain category of goods - exclusive clothing, vintage perfume, jewelry and fur coats. In this case, you will receive a special form indicating that the product is “exempt” from VAT.

In the city

You can also get your money back after filling out the form in the store at special offices of intermediaries - companies under whose logo the forms were issued to you. IN last years the number of such offices is increasing, and now they represent a fully formed network in Italy.

Today, the offices of Tax-free companies are located in the following Italian cities:

• Florence
• Milan
• Venice
• Bologna
• Rimini
• Catania

When going to one of these offices, you must have with you a passport, receipts for absolutely all purchases along with completed Tax-free forms, as well as a copy of the return ticket (or better yet, the original). You will need a ticket so that the company has information about the date of your departure, which they will transfer to the airport.

After this, all you have to do is stand in line (sometimes quite long) and submit documents to the window for consideration of the application. The whole procedure will take no more than half an hour if the queue does not start from the street.

IMPORTANT: All Tax-free companies scattered across cities charge a commission for their services, which can amount to up to 50% of the refund amount. That is, the final value of Tax-free will not be 22%, but only 11%, you definitely shouldn’t be surprised and create scandals in offices. The exact amount of the commission will depend on the final purchase amount.

Global Blue office at the airport

In an Aeroport

The classic Tax-free refund algorithm directly on the day of departure back home will begin immediately after the registration procedure. Once you have received your boarding pass, you will need to queue for customs control.

If the customs officer is satisfied with the presentation of the items declared on the forms, and the documents themselves do not have any violations, all you have to do is stand in line at the counter of the Tax-free company that issued you the form.

After standing in line and submitting a stamped form to the operator, you will hear an offer to return the money in cash or by bank transfer to the card. If you choose the second option, the money will be transferred to you within 14 working days.

IMPORTANT: The stage with the queue at the Tax-free counter at the airport is the longest. The wait alone can take 3 hours or more, depending on the number of people in line and how busy the airport itself is. To avoid missing your flight, it is best to arrive at the airport a few hours early.

Upon arrival in Russia

If you don’t want to stand in line at the airport or at city offices of Tax-free return companies, you can arrange everything upon arrival in Russia. The main condition is that all checks and forms must in any case have Italian customs clearance stamp.

After arrival, within 3 months from the date of purchase, you can contact one of the banks that works with European Tax-free companies. It will be enough to bring the forms with checks to the bank branch and wait for a response to the request. This takes quite a long time – responses from the Tax-free company come within 2 hours.

IMPORTANT: It is worth remembering that it will not always be possible to return money in cash - some Russian banks specifically do not provide such a service in order to charge the client a larger percentage of the commission for a wire transfer.

Queue at the Tax-free counter at the airport

• When going through customs inspection for your return flight, you must make sure that all Tax-free receipts are saved and purchased goods are packed, and they show no obvious signs of use. If any of these conditions are not met, the return of money is considered illegal.
• All goods for which Tax-free returns are made must be carried in hand luggage. The exception is large items and goods that are prohibited from being carried on board the aircraft. If your product falls under this exception, you need to prepare for a full inspection of your luggage, which may take several hours.
• Highly recommended make copies all checks and completed Tax-free forms immediately upon receipt. It won’t take a lot of time or money, but it can save you from unpleasant situations later.
• For minor tourists, some Italian shops may refuse in tax-free registration - this is done for reasons of basic security. To avoid such situations, you just need to have one of your parents or an official accompanying person who is already 18 years old with you.
• When purchasing any equipment Apple(including iPhones) in Italy Tax-free returns only on return flight and only on non-cash basis. This is a company policy that applies to all countries where there are sales points for popular equipment.
• In the European Union, books, magazines and other printed products VAT is not a subject to a tax, so you shouldn’t even try to find out how you can get Tax-free back when purchasing in bookstores.
• Few people know about this, but in Italy Tax-free can be returned even from purchases of exported food. The return on milk and fruit is 4%, on other products – 10%.