Apple VAT refund: how to claim tax back on online purchases
Buying an iPhone, Mac or iPad in France can be even more worthwhile if you live outside the European Union. You may be eligible to reclaim a significant portion of the VAT paid on your purchase.
To claim an Apple VAT refund, you can either go directly through Apple or use Zapptax. With Zapptax, you manage your tax refund through the app and can combine your Apple purchase with other eligible purchases made in the same country. Particularly useful if you're planning to shop at several stores during your stay.
Planning to order from other websites too? Discover how to reclaim VAT on your orders with our guide to tax refunds on online purchases.
Key takeaways
- You can reclaim part of the VAT paid on your iPhone, Mac, iPad or other eligible Apple products.
- With Zapptax, you can combine your Apple purchase with other eligible purchases made in the same country.
- Make sure you use the Zapptax billing address corresponding to your delivery country before paying.
- Keep your invoice and your device unused until you leave the European Union.
Can you get a VAT refund on an Apple online purchase?
Yes. If you live outside the European Union, an iPhone, Mac, iPad or another physical product purchased from the Apple Online Store may qualify for a VAT refund.
You must, of course, meet the usual eligibility requirements: be at least 16 years old, stay temporarily in the EU and personally take the products with you when you leave.
Tax-free shopping only applies to physical goods. Apps, subscriptions and other digital services are not eligible.
To check all the requirements, read our guide to tax-free shopping in France.
Apple or Zapptax: which VAT refund option should you choose?
There are two ways to reclaim VAT on your Apple purchases: request a refund directly from Apple or use the Zapptax app.
| Criteria | Apple's procedure | With Zapptax |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Invoice issued in the traveler's name, subject to Apple's conditions | Invoice issued using Zapptax's billing details |
| Request | PABLO form requested from Apple | Invoice uploaded to the app |
| Timing | Within 3 days of the invoice date | Upload the invoice as soon as you receive it |
| Minimum amount | At least €100 per invoice, according to Apple | Multiple eligible purchases made in the same country can be combined |
| Tax-free form | Provided through Apple's procedure | Generated in the Zapptax app |
| Main advantage | Suitable for a single Apple purchase | Allows you to combine your Apple purchase with other eligible spending |
For its own tax refund procedure, Apple requires you to contact customer service within three days of the invoice date to request a PABLO form. Apple also requires the traveler to pay for the purchase using a payment method in their own name and to keep the product unused until it is exported.
With Zapptax, the process is different. The invoice must be issued using Zapptax's billing details from the start. You can then upload it to the app and combine it with your other eligible purchases.
How to get a VAT refund on an Apple online purchase with Zapptax
Step 1: Get your Zapptax billing address
For delivery in France:
Zapptax
23, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
75001 Paris
For delivery in Belgium:
Zapptax
Rue du Boulet, 42
1000 Bruxelles
N° TVA : 0670 776 774
The billing address must always correspond to the country where your order is delivered.
You must also order from the Apple Online Store corresponding to your delivery country: the French Apple Store for delivery in France and the Belgian Apple Store for delivery in Belgium. Apple specifies that its French online store only delivers within France, while its Belgian store delivers within Belgium.
If you're asked to provide an email address, enter your own so that Zapptax can link the invoice to your account.
Step 2: Choose delivery or pickup
You can have your order delivered to an address of your choice during your stay, such as your hotel, accommodation or a friend or relative's address.
Depending on the product, Apple may also offer pickup at an Apple Store or a designated pickup location. Simply select the available option when placing your order.
In all cases, your delivery address can be different from your Zapptax billing address.
If you choose Apple Store pickup, check before paying that your invoice will be issued using Zapptax's billing details.
Step 3: Enter Zapptax as your billing address
When completing your order, enter Zapptax's details in the billing address section.
Do not use these details as your delivery address. Your iPhone or Mac must be delivered to the address where you intend to receive it.
Before paying, double-check that Zapptax's details have been saved as your billing address.
Step 4: Review your order before paying
Before clicking "Pay", take a moment to review your order. This can help avoid having to correct your invoice afterwards.
In particular, check:
- the product you're ordering;
- the Zapptax billing address;
- the delivery country and address;
- the estimated delivery date.
Keep your order confirmation and proof of payment too. For purchases over €1,000, Zapptax requires proof of payment.
Step 5: Get your Apple invoice
Apple normally sends the official invoice by email within 2 to 3 business days after your order has shipped. You can also print it from the "Order Status" page.
If your order is shipped in multiple deliveries, you may receive several invoices. Apple issues a separate invoice for each item shipped individually.
In that case, simply keep each invoice corresponding to the products you want to claim a VAT refund on.
Step 6: Upload your invoice to Zapptax
Once you've received your invoice, upload it directly to the Zapptax app.
For certain electronic devices costing more than €500, such as an iPhone, iPad or Mac, Zapptax also requires the serial number.
You can usually find the serial number on the invoice, packaging or device itself. If it's already included on the invoice, you don't need to provide it separately to Zapptax.
Step 7: Generate and validate your tax-free form
Once you've uploaded your invoices to Zapptax and reached the minimum purchase threshold, you can generate your tax-free form.
When leaving the European Union, remember to have your form validated by Customs. Keep your purchases accessible too, as Customs officers may ask to inspect them.
If you're departing from France, read our guide to learn how to validate your tax-free form at a PABLO kiosk.
Which Apple purchases are not eligible for a VAT refund?
Tax-free shopping only applies to physical goods that you personally take out of the European Union. It therefore does not apply to apps, subscriptions, digital content or other services such as AppleCare+.
If AppleCare+ appears on the same invoice as your iPhone, Mac or iPad, its cost will be excluded from the VAT refund calculation. Only the devices and any eligible physical accessories can be taken into account.
Claim your Apple VAT refund with Zapptax
A new iPhone or Mac is often a significant purchase, so why not take advantage of a VAT refund if you're eligible?
With Zapptax, simply upload your Apple invoice to the app and combine it with your other eligible purchases. Once your tax-free form has been validated, you can receive your refund through your chosen payment method.
Want to know how much you could get back? Get an estimate with our VAT refund calculator.
FAQ
Can I use my iPhone or Mac before leaving the European Union?
No. To keep your purchase eligible for a VAT refund, your iPhone, Mac or iPad must remain unused until you leave the European Union. The device must also be accessible in case of a Customs inspection. If possible, keep its original packaging, accessories and invoice, as these can help make the inspection easier.
Does having the invoice issued in Zapptax's name affect my Apple warranty?
No. Using Zapptax's billing details on the invoice does not invalidate your device's warranty. The Zapptax process relies on a series of documents linking the device to the original purchase: the original invoice, proof of payment, resale invoice and tax-free form. To make any future warranty or insurance claim easier, you can also request that your first and last name appear on the invoice alongside Zapptax's billing details.
What if my Apple invoice has already been issued in my name?
If you want to use Zapptax but your invoice has already been issued in your own name, contact Apple as soon as possible to check whether the billing details can still be changed. The easiest option is to enter Zapptax's details when placing your order, as invoice corrections may become more difficult once your order has been prepared or shipped.
Can I pick up my order at an Apple Store and still use Zapptax?
Yes, but make sure you check the billing details before paying. An Apple Store pickup order may involve a different legal seller than a standard delivery from the Apple Online Store. You should therefore make sure that Zapptax's billing details will appear correctly on the final invoice.
