Wine shop Calais : top stops for UK traveller and easy VAT refund
Crossing the Channel for a wine run ? Here is where to find the best wine shops in Calais, minutes from the ferry and Eurotunnel.
From big depots to cavistes like Calais Vins, we will help you build a standout selection of wines.
Then, use Zapptax to get your VAT refund in a few taps, straight to your account.
Ready ? Let’s map the 6 best wine shops in Calais !
Heading to Paris too ? Check out our 15 favorite wine shops in Paris.
Key points
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Easy access from the UK : Calais is minutes from the ferry and Eurotunnel.
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Top wine shops : The Calais Wine Superstore, Calais Vins, Olivier Vins & Cie, and Pidou ; premium detours : Boursot Vins and Les Halles de Quercamps.
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Claim VAT back with Zapptax : as UK visitor you can detax most purchases. Collect invoices, keep goods new/packaged, and validate your tax-free form at the terminal to get your refund.
Why is Calais perfect for wine shopping ?
Calais concentrates huge choice, expert English-speaking teams, and keen pricing in one small radius.
Stores sit close to the Port of Calais, Dunkirk ferries and Eurotunnel, so you can compare offers in a single morning, load the boot, validate your tax-free form, and still make lunch on the beach.
The 6 best wines shops in Calais and around
- The Calais Wine Superstore (Calais)
Warehouse-style selection, tasting space, and ultra-easy access : ~4 minutes from the port and ~10 minutes from Eurotunnel.
📍 249 Rue Marcel Doret, 62100 Calais
- Calais Vins (Calais, A16 J44)
Wildly popular with Brits ; thousands of selected wines, a tasting bar, and quick motorway access.
📍28 Rue Gutenberg (A16 J44), 62100 Calais.
- Olivier Vins & Compagnie (Fréthun/Eurotunnel area)
Ideal if you’re using Le Shuttle ; used to advising UK customers on quantities and styles.
📍 CD215, 62185 Fréthun.
- Pidou Wine Superstore (Transmarck / Calais area)
Big-value drink market popular with UK travellers : wide choice for cases and top-ups, handy when routing between Calais and Dunkirk.
📍 594 Avenue Henri Ravisse, 62730 Marck (Transmarck zone, near A16)
These are the local mastodons, especially for UK shoppers : fast parking, sharp deals, and aisles of everyday pick to Champagne.
Going a bit further for premium picks
If you’re picky about good French wine or hunting mature vintages, two detours are worth it :
- Boursot Vins (Ardres, ~20 min)
A historic, British-friendly caviste with personally selected wines and boutique service.
📍 9 Rue de l’Arsenal, 62610 Ardres
- Les Halles de Quercamps (~40 min)
Destination cellar with more than 4,000 references ; brilliant for comparative tasting and harder-to-find bottles.
📍 15 Rue des Fiefs, 62380 Quercamps.
Hypermarket option near the port
Short on time and want groceries plus bottles ?
Auchan Calais has a substantial wine, beers and spirits section and long opening hours. Useful for a last sweep before boarding.
📍Avenue Roger Salengro, 62100 Calais
Carrefour Cité Europe in Coquelles (by Eurotunnel) is also a classic British stop with a broad wine aisle.
📍1001 Boulevard du Kent, 62231 Coquelles.
How much alcohol can you bring back to the UK ?
The personal allowances for alcohol are quite generous. Here it is :
- 24 bottles of still wine 75cl : equivalent 18 litres.
- 56 bottles of beer 75cl : equivalent 42 litres.
- 12 bottles of sparkling/fortified wine 75cl (≤ 22% ABV) : equivalent 9 litres.
- 5 bottles of spirits/liquors 75cl (> 22% ABV) : equivalent 4 litres.
Always check HMRC rules before travelling.
How to get your refund on VAT ?
If you’re a non-EU resident (e.g. UK) and spend at least €100.01 during your stay, you can claim back French VAT on eligible purchases, including wine.
Just use Zapptax, the tax-free app that works with any stores that can issue proper invoices.
Buy where you want, ask for an invoice to Zapptax’s details, upload it in the app, generate your tax-free form, validate it when you exit the EU, and receive your refund.
Tip : With Zapptax, you can get a VAT refund on almost all your purchases in France. Mix wine with cheese, clothes, perfumes, gourmet foods and more to comfortably reach the threshold, then get your VAT refund in a few taps.
Where to validate your tax-free form ?
You validate electronically at PABLO kiosks when you leave the EU.
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Ferry – Port of Calais : validate at the PABLO kiosks in the main terminal building, after French Customs (“Douanes”). Follow signs for PABLO / Tax Refund once you’ve cleared French exit controls. If needed, ask staff at the Customs desk nearby.
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Eurotunnel – LeShuttle (Coquelles) : validate inside the Passenger Terminal building before boarding. Look for PABLO kiosks (LeShuttle indicates 6 kiosks in the terminal). If a kiosk fails, go to the Customs office in the terminal for manual approval.
How does it work at the PABLO kiosk ?
Select your language → scan the barcode on your digital/paper form → wait for the green “OK form valid” screen.
Keep your goods new, unopened, and with you in case of a Customs inspection.
Conclusion
With the right stops and a simple VAT refund, your selected wines from Calais can cost significantly less than in the UK, without compromising quality.
Taste, mix your selection of wines, and let Zapptax handle the rest so you focus on the fun part.
FAQ
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How many bottles can I legally bring back to the UK ?
UK allowances for personal use are: 18L still wine (24×75cl), 9L of sparkling/fortified (≤22% ABV) or 4L spirits (>22% ABV), plus 42L beer. You can split the last category: e.g., bring 4.5L fortified (half of 9L) and 2L spirits (half of 4L). Keep receipts and be ready to explain that it’s for personal use.
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Which Calais stores are closest to the terminals ?
For speed : The Calais Wine Superstore (near the ferry) and Olivier Vins & Cie (Eurotunnel side) are the closest to the terminals. Calais Vins is just off A16 J44, ideal if you’re driving through.
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Where exactly do I validate my form in Calais ?
In the Ferry (Port of Calais) : use the PABLO kiosks in the main terminal building, after French Customs. Follow signs PABLO/Tax Refund.
In the Eurotunnel (Coquelles) : validate in the Passenger Terminal building ; six PABLO kiosks are available, with a Customs office nearby if needed.
