Eating on Les Champs Élysées aux Fouquets is my kind of elegance! Especially when I eat my favorite Croque Monsieur with an espresso! C’est fabuleux!
What isn’t all that elegant is the tax refund process at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Let me try to explain the process of what you need to do after you purchase something exquisite (like a Chloé bag!) in Paris.
Tip 1 – Your purchased item must be over $200.
At the point of sale, politely ask the sales clerk to kindly fill out a VAT/detaxe or tax refund form for you.
Tip 2 – Make sure to always bring a copy of your passport with you, not your actual passport.
Simply keep your original passport in your safe deposit box in the hotel room or in your apartment rental. (I have a great apartment rental company in Paris. If you’d like a referral, just ask!) You will need your passport information on the form, so ask the sales clerk to fill in all of the appropriate information including your full name, your address and inform the clerk whether you’d like the refund in either cash or on your credit card. And make sure they provide you with the sales receipt and the appropriate tax refund envelope.
Tip 3 – At the airport, go to the “douane” or customs area and have them stamp your tax refund form in the appropriate place and remember to sign it.
The douane/customs have to verify that all the documentation is correct before you can receive a refund. Normally, you have to bring your bags to the douane/customs before checking your bags in at the airline counter to show your purchases for tax refunds. After the customs process you can either mail everything in the provided envelope (they have specific mail drops solely for the tax refund forms) or go the detaxe/tax refund window to submit the information for your refund.
Tip 4 – Usually there are long lines. So be prepared.
Give yourself at least 2 hours before your flight leaves to give you ample time to run around like a chicken with its’ head cut off to all of these windows!
Tip 5 – Should you choose to get your refund at a change kiosk in the city of lights aka Paris, beware!
There are only certain change/exchange places that will give you only cash and only in Euros. I got caught doing that so I used the Euros to buy souvenirs and Christmas gifts at the airport. Win, win!
Overall, there is nothing elegant about the tax refund process. But if you have the right attitude it’s well worth the extra $$$!
Bon Voyage!
