Can I get Tax Refund from online shopping ? The 2025 Guide
Shopping online while visiting Europe can be so tempting. Luxury brands, electronics, fashion deals, all just a few clicks away ! As a traveler from outside the European Union, you might wonder: Can I get a tax refund from online shopping? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes
With Zapptax, the process becomes not only possible but surprisingly simple. This guide explains how to get your VAT back on online purchases using its app.
Download the Zapptax app to get your VAT refund faster and hassle-free.
Key points :
- Yes, you can get a VAT refund on online purchases in the EU using Zapptax.
- You must be a non-EU resident and export the goods to your country of residence.
- Items must be delivered to an EU address (e.g., hotel, pick up at the store) and taken with you when you leave the EU.
- The refund request must be made within 3 months of the time of purchase.
- You need a Customs validation at your point of departure from the EU.
Let’s explore how you can reclaim VAT on your online shopping in the EU with the help of Zapptax.
What is VAT ?
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax applied to goods and services in every EU country. It is included in the retail price of most items, from electronics and clothing to perfume and luxury goods.
Please note that VAT rates vary by country, for example, 20% in France, 21% in Belgium and Spain. As a non-EU resident, you are required to pay VAT at the time of purchase, but you don’t have to bear the cost : you’re entitled to a tax refund on goods you take home with you.
What is a tax refund ?
A tax refund allows eligible non-EU travelers to reclaim the VAT paid on qualifying purchases made within the EU. Traditionally, this only applied to in-store purchases. However, with Zapptax, the process now includes online shopping. To receive a tax refund, you must export the goods from the EU within three months of the time of purchase and obtain a validation from the Customs authority when you leave the EU. This validation confirms that the goods are being exported to your country of residence, making the transaction tax-exempt under EU regulations. Zapptax simplifies this entire process by centralizing your invoices and issuing the official tax-free forms required to claim your refund, even for online purchases.
Can you get a Tax Refund for online shopping?
On their own, most online stores don’t offer tax-free shopping options. But with Zapptax, you can reclaim VAT on qualifying purchases made online, just as if you'd shopped in-store. Take Amazon, for example : while Amazon doesn’t provide tax-free forms, you can still get your refund through Zapptax by following a few simple steps. The key is to enter Zapptax’s billing information when placing your order. The process is very simple: you import your invoices, and it generates the tax-free documents. You just need to be a non-EU resident, buy from EU retailers, and take the goods home with you.
For platform-specific instructions, see Zapptax’s guide for Amazon.
How to get a Tax Refund on your online Purchases with Zapptax
Here’s how to claim your VAT refund on online purchases step by step:
1. Download the Zapptax app and complete your profile.
2. Shop online and insert Zapptax’s billing address and VAT number at checkout.
➤ France : Zapptax - 23, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris ➤ Belgium : Zapptax - Rue du Boulet 42, 1000 Brussels - VAT number : 0670 776 774 ➤ Spain : Zapptax - Bravo Murillo, 52 1-3, 28003 Madrid - VAT number : N0173919B
3. Upload your invoices in the app.
4. Meet the minimum purchase threshold required by the country over the entire duration of your stay to qualify for a VAT refund :
➤ France : at least €100 (including VAT) ➤ Belgium : at least €125.01 ➤ Spain : no minimum amount required.
5. Zapptax will consolidate all your purchases from different stores and online, and generate your tax-free form.
6. Validate your tax-free form with Customs before leaving the EU.
To validate your form, go to the Customs authority at your point of departure from the EU. This must be done before checking in your luggage and passing through security. Have your passport, boarding pass, purchased items, and the Zapptax tax-free form ready. Customs agents may ask to inspect the goods, so keep them accessible.
What are the exceptions and limitations for getting a VAT refund ?
Not every purchase qualifies. Common restrictions include:
- Items used before departure
- Food, drinks, or other consumables
- Services (e.g., hotel stays, car rentals)
- Purchases without a VAT invoice
- Goods not personally exported
Conclusion
As a non-EU traveler, you can now enjoy the convenience of online shopping and still reclaim the VAT you’ve paid, just like in-store purchases.
Zapptax handles the complexities, from compiling purchases to generating your tax-free form. All you have to do is upload your invoices, get the Customs validation when you leave the EU, and enjoy your refund. You're all set ! Now enjoy your shopping, and let Zapptax manage the tax refund for you.
FAQ
1. Can I get a refund for online purchases?
Yes, with Zapptax, you can get a VAT refund for eligible online purchases made within the EU. You just have to fill the billing address with Zapptax’s details and VAT number at checkout.
2. Can I claim tax back from shopping in France?
Yes. If you are a non-EU resident and meet the minimum spending threshold (€100), you can claim a VAT refund using Zapptax. You can claim tax back from shopping in-store and online.
3. Can you get a tax refund after leaving France?
No. You must validate your tax-free form at Customs before leaving France or the EU. No validation, no refund.
4. Can you get a refund from an online store?
While most online stores don't offer tax-free shopping directly, Zapptax makes it possible to get a VAT refund on purchases from any e-shop, as long as delivery is in France. Just use the billing details provided in the Zapptax app (name, address, and VAT number) at checkout. Then upload your invoices in the app and receive your tax-free form.
5. How do I get my money back from online purchases?
To get your tax back, use Zapptax app: upload your invoices, validate the tax-free form at Customs when leaving the EU, and your refund is processed to your chosen payment method.
