If your purchase invoice does not include this information, the store is not obligated to refund your VAT.
The following details must be clearly visible on your purchase document(s). This can be a VAT receipt, invoice, and/or Tax-Free form.
a) Your details
Full name
Passport number
Country of residence (non-EU country)
b) Store details
Store name
Store address
Store VAT number
c) Purchase details
Purchase date
Description of the goods
Total purchase amount
Total VAT amount
Most stores can add your personal details to a receipt or invoice upon request.
Some stores provide a dedicated Tax-Free receipt or Tax-Free form with your details already included. Find out more here.
If the store cannot add your details to the invoice but is willing to cooperate, you or the store can download a Tax-Free form, have it completed, stamped, and signed by the store.
Requirements vary by country. Please consult our country guide to see exactly which documents you must present to Customs in the EU country you are departing from.
To be eligible for a VAT refund, your purchase documents must be validated by Customs as proof that the goods have been exported.
In many countries, export validation is done digitally.
If you were unable to obtain validation when leaving the EU, you can read what to do here.
If you export goods via sea container or air courier (such as DHL, UPS, or FedEx), a Customs stamp is not required. In these cases, you may submit digital export documents instead.
Please note:
Pro-forma invoices, quotations, and order summaries are not accepted as valid purchase documents.
