Swiss residents: 3 good reasons to go tax free shopping in France

Sérima Collot -

Lire cet article en français 🇫🇷

It's a well known fact that there's a huge price difference between France and Switzerland when it comes to shopping. Many Swiss residents cross the border regularly to shop in France. This is even more exciting because Swiss residents (as non-EU residents) can request a VAT refund on their purchases made in France.

Getting a VAT refund on purchases made in France used to be a bit complicated, which discouraged many shoppers from getting their refunds. Since a few years ago, the VAT refund process has undergone a digital revolution which makes the whole experience more simple and easy to do.

1. Shopping is cheaper in France than in Switzerland

Most goods in France have lower prices (VAT included) than in Switzerland. For example food, alcoholic beverages, cosmetic products and clothing. As shown in the image below (by Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève), food is on an average 38% cheaper in France, alcohol 18%, clothing 23% and cosmetics 31%. As for generic drugs and magazines, they are strikingly cheaper by 50 and 69% respectively.

Source: Suisse Romande

Getting a VAT refund on the cheaper goods you buy in France, isn't that another good reason to shop in France rather than in Switzerland?

2. Simple VAT refund process

If you've given up on the idea of ​​getting a refund because your previous experience was too cumbersome, then what we are about to tell you will change your mind!

In recent months, the French government has announced two important changes to simplify the VAT refund process:

  • Since December 5th, 2020, you can scan your tax free form at self-service terminals (called PABLO kiosks) directly from your smartphone. If you are using ZappTax app, it is therefore no longer required to print your tax free form. 😉
  • Since January 1st, 2021, the minimum purchase amount for tax-free shopping has decreased to €100.01 including tax (it stood previously at €175.01).


When you return to Switzerland, the standard VAT rate of 7.7% is applicable if your purchased goods are worth more than CHF 300 (around €270). Customs duty fees depend on the quantity and value of your purchased goods. Whether or not you have to pay the VAT and/or customs duties on your return to Switzerland, you can save up to 90% of French VAT by using the ZappTax app.


3. ZappTax and QuickZoll: the winning duo

ZappTax is for tax-free shopping in France

As a Swiss resident, the biggest advantage of using ZappTax in France is that you can shop tax-free in virtually ANY shops (including drugstores and food stores) in France.

Make sure you request from the seller an “invoice with VAT in the name of ZappTax” (and not a tax-free form). Make also sure that the following information is provided on the invoice:

  • Seller indentification: name, adress and VAT number
  • Invoice number and date of purchase
  • Description of goods, quantity and price
  • VAT rate


Take pictures of the invoices you collected and upload them on the ZappTax app. ZappTax will combine all your invoices and send you one or multiple tax-free forms, which you must validate at Customs when leaving the EU.  


Another big advantage of ZappTax is that there is no minimum purchase threshold of €100.01 per day and per store. What matters is that your total purchases during your stay in France is above this threshold.

VAT refund is now simple, fast and efficient.

QuickZoll is for declaring your goods purchased abroad when you enter Switzerland  

While ZappTax makes the VAT refund process easier in France, customs clearance in Switzerland is also streamlined if you use the Swiss government app called QuickZoll.  

You can declare the quantity and value of the goods purchased in France directly on the QuickZoll app. When you arrive at the Swiss border, all you need to do is present a QR code to a Customs officer. Taxes and duties (if any) can directly be paid through the app. It's a great time saver!


If you want to know more about the VAT refund process or the ZappTax app, check out our website or visit our FAQ page. Do not hesitate to contact us via email at support@zapptax.com or through chat for specific questions!