CDG Airport Tax Refund : How to get your VAT refund ?
You’ve spent days (or weeks) shopping in France, luxury handbags, perfume, souvenirs, all with VAT included. But now you're heading home and don’t want to miss out on claiming your rightful refund. The airport can feel like a maze : regulations, tax refund operators, confusing kiosks, Customs officers... One misstep and your refund vanishes. This guide breaks down the CDG tax refund process step by step : who qualifies, how Zapptax streamlines it, where to find PABLO kiosks, how to scan your bordereau, and how you get reimbursed. We have added traveler tips and links to other resources, letting you navigate with confidence. Let’s dive in and make sure nothing stands between you and getting back your VAT. Try the Zapptax app to get a VAT refund on all your purchases in France, quickly, easily, and hassle-free.
Key points :
- Only non-EU residents spending over €100 on personal goods can claim VAT.
- Use Zapptax to collect invoices and generate your tax-free form.
- Validate your tax-free form at PABLO kiosks before check‑in/security at CDG.
- If something goes wrong, get help at the Customs desk.
- Refund is processed automatically after the validation.
Who is eligible for a VAT refund ?
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You must reside outside the EU, temporarily in France (less than 6 months), and be 16 or older.
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Eligible purchases are for personal, non-commercial use, totaling over €100 TTC (all taxes included), during your entire stay.
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Goods like alcohol, perfume, luggage, designer items all qualify (unless restricted by Customs).
Tobacco, transport vehicles & some cultural items are excluded.
See our step-by-step guide for non-EU residents to get your VAT refund in France.
How to get a VAT refund at CDG Airport ?
1. During your stay : centralize your invoices in the Zapptax app
You are free to shop wherever you want, even online, and have items delivered within France. All you need to do is request an invoice issued in the name of Zapptax (you’ll find the details in the app). Note that stores are legally required to provide an invoice upon request.
For online purchases, simply enter Zapptax’s name and address during checkout. It’s that easy.
For every purchase, remember to upload your invoice into the app. Zapptax will combine all your invoices during your stay to help you reach the minimum required amount of €100 (VAT incl.).
2. Before heading to CDG : get your tax free form
Once you have uploaded all your invoices in the app, you can generate your tax free form (“bordereau de détaxe”). This form includes a barcode and must be filled out correctly with your personal information. You will need to present it to French Customs at the airport for validation.
3. Arrival at Charles de Gaulle : locate a PABLO kiosk
Before leaving the European Union, you must validate your tax refund form with the Customs authorities of the country you are departing from. At most exit points in France, including major airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly, large train stations, ports, or road borders, you will find PABLO kiosks where you can scan the barcode of your form.
Important : You must complete this step before checking in your luggage and going through security. Make sure your items are accessible, as Customs officers may ask to see them. It is best to anticipate this step to avoid last-minute stress at the airport. If you are flying out of Orly Airport, check out our dedicated guide to easily claim your VAT refund there. Where to validate your VAT refund at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport ? While Zapptax makes the entire VAT refund process easier, the validation step at the airport is essential to trigger your reimbursement. At Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, there are 7 PABLO kiosks (not to be confused with the Cash Paris kiosks) that allow you to electronically validate your tax-free forms. Here is their location by terminal :
- Terminal 1 : CDGVAL level, Hall 6, near the PAUL bakery.
- Terminal 2A : Departures area, near Gate 5 (closed for renovation).
- Terminal 2B : Departures area, take the escalators after the Carl's JR store and follow the "Tax Refund / Détaxe" signs.
- Terminal 2C : Departures area, near Gate 12 (closed for renovation <> Latest map).
- Terminal 2D : Departures area, near Gate 6. (Out of service)
- Terminal 2E : Departures area, near Gate 4.
- Terminal 2F : Arrivals area, near the MONOP' store.
- Terminal 3 : Arrivals area, near the BRIOCHE DOREE bakery.
Tips for travelers unfamiliar with the airport : Tax refund forms can be validated either at the electronic PABLO kiosks or at Customs offices for manual verification. PABLO kiosks generally operate during the airport’s opening hours and offer fast and automatic validation (Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.). Customs offices : for manual validation, these offices are typically open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., depending on the main flight schedules.
4. Scan the barcode to validate your forms
Scan the barcode on each tax-free form (if you have several) using the PABLO kiosk scanner. If everything is correct, the screen will show a validation message. This step acts as your electronic customs stamp. In some cases, a Customs officer may still request to inspect your purchases after the validation.
5. If there’s a problem : go to the Customs desk
If the PABLO kiosk displays an error or doesn’t validate your form, a Customs officer can validate it electronically, either with a device or by manually entering your form number into the system. In rare cases, the officer may use a physical stamp instead.
6. How does the refund work?
Once your form is successfully validated, your refund is automatically processed using your selected payment method. A few weeks later, you will receive your refund quickly, securely, and with minimal steps and reduced fees.
How does Zapptax simplify the VAT refund process ?
Zapptax is a free mobile app that fully simplifies and digitizes the VAT refund procedure. Unlike traditional systems limited to select stores, Zapptax gives you total freedom : shop wherever you like (just ask for an invoice in the name of Zapptax) and reclaim your VAT effortless. Zapptax is available in France, Spain, and Belgium.
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Reach the €100 minimum by combining invoices from multiple stores throughout your stay : there’s no need to spend €100 in one day.
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Works in all stores, even online : from major chains to small independent shops, as long as the merchant issues an invoice.
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Higher refund rates : get back up to 90% of your VAT, a much better rate than most traditional operators.
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Huge time-saver : no waiting in stores, the entire process is digitized, saving you precious time.
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Reliable and trusted : over 150,000 travelers already use Zapptax for fast, secure, and hassle-free tax-free shopping.
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No passport required in stores : your identity is securely and officially verified once a year via the app, and your data stays protected.
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24/7 multilingual support : expert help is always within reach, anytime you need it.
Our top tips for a smooth VAT refund
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Plan to arrive early at the CDG airport to have enough time to validate everything.
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Prepare all your documents in the Zapptax app ahead of time.
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Keep your new items easily accessible in your luggage, in case a Customs officer asks to see them.
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Make sure PABLO kiosks are working, and don’t hesitate to ask airport staff for assistance if needed.
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If your last point of departure from the EU is not France (e.g. Madrid or Brussels), you’ll need to get your form manually validated by a Customs officer in that country, since PABLO kiosks only exist in France. In this case, you must print your form to have it stamped physically. After validation, don’t forget to upload the stamped version into the app.
Conclusion
Traveling is already busy enough, no one wants to add complex paperwork and long queues to their itinerary. With Zapptax, you turn an administrative chore into a fast and efficient formality. Everything is done from your smartphone, in just a few steps. One quick validation at a PABLO kiosk at the airport is all it takes to trigger your refund. Less waiting, a smoother process, and a faster refund. Whether you’re flying home with a designer handbag, perfume, or a few uniquely French souvenirs, don’t let your VAT refund slip away.
FAQ
1. How to get VAT refund at CDG airport ? To get your VAT refund at Charles de Gaulle, you need to scan your tax-free form (“bordereau de détaxe” in French) at a PABLO kiosk before checking in your luggage and going through security. If the kiosk fails, go to a Customs desk for manual validation. Once validated, your refund is automatically processed.
2. Can tourists get a tax refund in Paris ? Yes, tourists who are non-EU residents, over 16 years old, and staying less than 6 months can get a VAT refund on purchases in Paris. The total value of goods must exceed €100 including tax, and the items must be for personal, non-commercial use. Don’t forget to request invoices in the name of Zapptax to make the refund process easier.
3. How much tax refund can I expect ? The standard VAT rate in France is 20%, but after processing fees, the actual amount refunded is typically around 12–15% of the purchase price. With Zapptax, you can get up to 90% of your VAT back, which is more than traditional in-store refund services.
4. How do I claim my airport tax refund ? Before departing from a French airport (like CDG), you must validate your VAT refund form using a PABLO kiosk. This validation is essential to trigger your refund. After scanning the barcode, the system confirms electronically. Your refund is then processed via your preferred method.
5. Where can I find the PABLO kiosk at CDG ? At Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, you will find PABLO kiosks in Terminal 1 (CDGVAL level, Hall 6, near PAUL), Terminal 2B (after Carl’s JR, follow the “Tax Refund” signs), Terminal 2E (near Gate 4), Terminal 2F (Arrivals, near the shop MONOP’), and Terminal 3 (Arrivals, near the bakery Brioche Dorée). Note that kiosks in Terminals 2A, 2C, and 2D are either closed or out of service.
If you don’t find it, don’t hesitate to ask airport staff for assistance.
