Van Cleef VAT refund in France: how to claim tax back
Buying a Van Cleef & Arpels piece in Paris is one of those luxury shopping moments travelers dream about. And for eligible non-EU visitors, tax-free shopping in France can make that iconic purchase even more rewarding.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Van Cleef VAT refund in France: who qualifies, where to shop, how Customs validation works, and how to claim your tax back with Zapptax.
Planning a wider luxury day out? Check our Avenue Montaigne boutique guide.
Key takeaways
- A Van Cleef & Arpels VAT refund is available to non-EU travelers shopping in France, in-store or via online orders delivered in France.
- France’s standard VAT rate is 20%. With Zapptax eligible shoppers can recover up to 15% of the VAT-included price.
- Van Cleef & Arpels purchases must be exported unused in your personal luggage before the legal deadline.
- With Zapptax, eligible boutique and online purchases can be managed digitally through the app.
Estimate your exact refund with the Zapptax VAT calculator.
Can you get a VAT refund on Van Cleef & Arpels in France?
Yes. If you live outside the European Union and meet the French tax-free shopping conditions, you can claim a VAT refund on eligible Van Cleef & Arpels purchases made in France.
This applies to purchases made in Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques, selected department store corners, and eligible online orders delivered in France during your trip.
The purchase must be for personal use, not commercial resale. The item must also leave the EU with you in your personal luggage. Customs may ask to inspect the jewelry, the invoice, the packaging or the certificate before validating your tax-free form.
In France, tourist VAT refunds are handled through the PABLO system, which allows travelers to validate their tax-free form electronically before departure. French Customs confirms that travelers must validate the form before leaving the EU and may be required to present the goods.
Who qualifies for a Van Cleef VAT refund in France?
To claim a VAT refund in France, all of the following conditions must be met:
- Non-EU resident: your permanent place of residence is outside the European Union. Since Brexit, UK residents qualify too.
- Aged 16 or over.
- Temporary stay: less than six months in France or the EU.
- Minimum spend: at least €100.01 (VAT included). Zapptax lets you combine invoices from different stores to reach this threshold.
- New, unused goods for personal use: not for resale.
- Purchased from a professional seller issuing a VAT-compliant invoice.
- Exported before the deadline: goods must leave the EU before the end of the third month following the date of purchase.
- Customs validation is mandatory: in France, this is done electronically at a PABLO kiosk (or with a Customs officer) at the final EU exit point.
Source: French Customs (douane.gouv.fr).
Where to buy Van Cleef & Arpels in France
Van Cleef & Arpels Place Vendôme, Paris
The most iconic address is Place Vendôme, where Van Cleef & Arpels opened its historic boutique in 1906. Today, the Maison occupies several adjoining addresses at 20, 22 and 24 Place Vendôme, dedicated to jewelry, high jewelry, watchmaking and fragrance.
📍 20, 22 and 24 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
Van Cleef & Arpels inside Paris department stores
If you want to combine your visit with broader luxury shopping under one roof, the Maison is also present in selected Paris department stores, including Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and La Samaritaine.
Always check the official Van Cleef & Arpels store locator before your visit, as boutique locations and services can change.
Van Cleef & Arpels Cannes
If you are visiting the French Riviera, Van Cleef & Arpels also has a boutique on Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes. It is a natural stop during the summer season, a Riviera trip or the Cannes Film Festival period.
📍 17 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
For high-value purchases, it is always worth booking an appointment in advance and confirming stock before traveling.
How to claim your Van Cleef VAT refund with Zapptax
Step 1: download Zapptax before shopping
Before visiting Van Cleef & Arpels, download the Zapptax app and create your account. The app gives you the billing details needed for your invoice.
This is important because the invoice must be issued correctly from the start. It is much easier to request the right invoice at checkout than to fix it later.
Step 2: ask for a VAT invoice billed to Zapptax
At checkout, ask for a VAT invoice made out to Zapptax. Use the exact company name, address and VAT details shown in the app.
Do this before payment, and check the invoice carefully before leaving the boutique. The details must match the Zapptax billing information.
Step 3: upload your invoice in the app
Once you receive the invoice, upload it to Zapptax. You can also add other eligible invoices from your trip, such as fashion, leather goods, beauty, watches or perfume purchases.
Zapptax centralizes your eligible invoices and generates one digital tax-free form when the French threshold is reached.
Step 4: validate your tax-free form before leaving the EU
Before leaving the EU, validate your tax-free form at your final EU departure point.
If you leave from France, this is usually done at a PABLO kiosk. Scan the barcode on your tax-free form before checking in your luggage. If the screen shows a green validation message, your form is validated.
Keep your Van Cleef & Arpels item accessible. Customs officers may ask to see the jewelry, packaging, invoice or certificate.
Step 5: receive your refund
After Customs validation, Zapptax processes your refund to your selected payment method.
VAT refund on Van Cleef online orders
Online purchases can also qualify for a Van Cleef VAT refund with Zapptax, provided the purchase meets the French tax-free shopping rules.
The invoice must be billed using the Zapptax details shown in the app. The order must be delivered in France during your trip, whether to your hotel, temporary accommodation, a friend’s address or a pickup point. You must then take the item with you in your personal luggage when leaving the EU.
This can be useful if you want to secure a specific Van Cleef & Arpels piece during your stay or if an item is available online while you are in France.
As with boutique purchases, Customs validation before your final EU departure is mandatory.
Read our full guide: VAT refund on online shopping.
Conclusion
A Van Cleef & Arpels purchase in France is already special. Claiming your VAT refund simply makes the experience smarter.
If you are eligible, the process is straightforward: ask for the right invoice, upload it to Zapptax, validate your tax-free form before leaving the EU, and keep your jewelry unused and accessible until customs validation is complete.
On a luxury purchase, the savings can be significant. With Zapptax, your Van Cleef VAT refund can be handled digitally from your phone, so you can focus on the moment that matters most: bringing home a piece of Parisian jewelry with confidence.
FAQ
1. Can you get a VAT refund on Van Cleef & Arpels in France?
Yes. Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on eligible Van Cleef & Arpels purchases made in France, as long as they meet the French tax-free shopping conditions and validate their tax-free form before leaving the EU.
2. How much VAT do I get back on a Van Cleef purchase in France?
France’s standard VAT rate is 20%, but travelers do not receive the full 20% back. After VAT calculation and operator fees, the refund usually represents around 12% to 15% of the VAT-included price. With Zapptax, eligible shoppers can recover up to 15%.
3. Can I claim a Van Cleef VAT refund on an online order?
Yes, with Zapptax, eligible online orders can qualify. The invoice must be billed to Zapptax, the order must be delivered in France during your trip, and the item must leave the EU with you in your personal luggage.
4. Do I need to keep the original Van Cleef packaging?
Yes. Keep the box, certificate, pouch, invoice and any documents until after customs validation. Customs officers may ask to inspect the item before validating your tax-free form.
