Tax Free allows shopaholics and ordinary tourists save on purchases. Rules for receiving in different countries may differ. Consider how to get savings in Tax Free at Fiumicino Airport in Rome and other Italian cities.

The principle of obtaining Tax Free by passengers who travel

Tax Free is a system that allows travelers to save on value added tax (VAT) refunds. The tax included in the final cost of goods in each state is directed to the development of the social sphere.

A tourist will not be able to take advantage of various social programs of the country, therefore he has the right to a deduction.

The store where goods are purchased must be included in the Tax Free Shopping system. The tax refund is not carried out by the outlet, but by the operator.

Most often, the service is issued in Global Blue, but if you can choose an operator, give preference to the last two. So, when receiving a refund at the airport, you will avoid long queues and tedious waiting.

You can return VAT when buying clothes and shoes, watches and accessories, gadgets, jewelry. If the product was purchased online, the tax refund is not available.

You can return Tax Free in Italy if the check amount is 154 euros. In this case, several goods can be included in the check, only the total amount matters.

In stores, when buying, sellers fill out a special form - Tax free shopping check. It reflects the total cost of the purchase, the details of the buyer and the amount that can be refunded. To prove that you are foreign citizen, you need to show your passport to the cashier.

The procedure for obtaining Tax Free on the example of Fiumicino (Rome)

You can return the tax upon departure from Italy. Purchase receipts are valid for 3 months, you need to meet this deadline.

If you do not apply for a refund within a given period of time, then checks can be thrown away, since it will not be possible to refund part of the VAT on them.

Returning Tax Free at Rome airport is not always easy, you should be patient. long lines and large cluster people will be a real test for the human nervous system.

There are two customs offices at Fiumicino Airport. The first customs is intended for passengers who wish to issue Tax Free, and then check in their luggage.

Customs officers verify the goods indicated on the check with real things. Often they simply check for the presence of things, in rare cases they can check the name of the product on the tag with the list in the check.

The passenger will have to put up with a long queue of the same tourists who want to issue Tax Free.

The second customs office is suitable for passengers who do not plan to check in their purchases as baggage. The queue moves faster, but the inspection of things is carried out more carefully.

You can get Tax Free at Fiumicino Airport in the following order:

1. If the purchases from which you want to return the tax will be checked in as luggage, go to the check-in counter. Tell the employee that you want to issue Tax Free. Get your boarding pass, but don't check in your luggage yet.
2. Together with your luggage, you go to the customs office.
3. The customs officer checks the correspondence of the list in the check with the real things. It is advisable to keep purchases on the surface of a suitcase or bag so as not to waste time looking for them.
4. If the check is successful, the customs officer will stamp the checks. Certified documents must be taken to the Tax Free operator's point.
5. Present checks at the operator's point. Money can be issued in cash immediately or transferred to a card. Transfer to the card may take up to 5 days. If the issuance is carried out on a card, save the document that the operator will issue. If for some reason the money is not received within the specified period, you need to contact the Tax Free operator by phone.

Important! Arrive at the airport early in order to have time to do all the necessary procedures and catch your flight. Getting Tax Free can take 1.5-2 hours. If you do not check in your luggage, you will be able to free yourself early.

Is the procedure different at other airports in Italy

Getting Tax Free at other airports is about the same as in Rome. Venice has a small airport, so the queue is not so long. You can pick up money after passport control.

There are two customs offices in Bergamo. All passengers go through the first customs, regardless of whether they check in their luggage. Items are checked thoroughly. If the check was successful, you can pick up the money before passing through passport control.

In Bologna, customs is located in the arrivals area. First you need to check in for a flight, and then go through the entire airport to customs. You can get Tax Free at the currency exchange kiosk. The kiosk is open during the day, so if you get on a night flight, you will have to receive money while at home.

At Naples airport, you will not be able to get Tax Free cash. Funds are transferred to the card. After registration and customs clearance, the passenger goes to the cash desk, where the employee will put down the necessary stamps.

Can there be difficulties in obtaining Tax Free

Although the procedure is simple, sometimes there are difficulties. Refunds are not available for all product categories. For example, when buying precious stones, the tax is not refundable. You can clarify the list of things from which you can return VAT in stores or with Tax Free operators.

It is also important to observe the period during which you can return part of the VAT. An appeal later than 3 months will not be considered, and it will not be possible to receive money.

Global Blue Refund Office

Via del Tritone, 61, Rome 00187

Opening hours:

Mon-Sun: 09:30 - 23:00

Note: The maximum amount to receive a cash refund is 500 EUR per individual traveller.

Global Blue Lounge Rome - ACCESS ONLY WITH INVITATION

Piazza di Spagna 29, 00187 Rome

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 10.00 - 19.30

Sat: 10.00 - 19.30

Sun: Closed

Note: - 2999.50 EUR for each individual traveler

Note: The maximum amount for receiving a refund on a credit card is 14999.50 EUR / Tax Free form

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy are accepted for payment.

0-25.00 EUR- 3 EUR

25.01 – 80.00 EUR- 4 EUR

EUR 80.01-150.00– 5 EUR

EUR 150.01-800.00– 8 EUR

800.01 – 2999.99 EUR- 1% of the refund amount

Maccorp Forexchange

Downtown Refund Office, Via Ponte di Piscina Cupa 64, c/o McArthurGlen Outlet, Castel Romano – Rome, 00128

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 10.00 - 21.00

Sat: 10.00 - 22.00

Sun: 10.00 - 22.00

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy.

Note: Only early return (cash refund) is possible.

Note: The maximum amount to receive a cash refund is EUR 2999.50 per individual traveller.

Note: The fee charged depends on the amount of the refund.

0 - 25.00 EUR - 3 EUR

25.01 - 80.00 EUR - 4 EUR

80.01 - 150.00 EUR - 5 EUR

150.01 - 800.00 EUR - 8 EUR

800.01 - 2999.50 EUR - 1% of the reimbursement amount

Maccorp Forexchange

Downtown Refund Office, Via del Lavatore 88/a, 00187 Rome

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 10:30-19:30

Sat: 10:30-19:30

Sun: 11:30-18:30

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy are accepted for payment.

Note: Maximum amount for cash refund

Note: Subject to cash refund, a fee per "form" will apply. There is no charge if you receive a refund on a credit card. The amount of the fee charged depends on the amount of the refund.

0-25.00 EUR - 3 EUR

25.01 – 80.00 EUR - 4 EUR

80.01-150.00 EUR – 5 EUR

150.01-500.00 EUR – 8 EUR

Maccorp Forexchange

Downtown Refund Office, Via del Caravita 6, 00100 Roma

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 10:30-19:30

Sat: 10:30-19:30

Sun: 11:30-18:30

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy are accepted for payment.

Note: Maximum amount for cash refund- 500 EUR for each individual tourist

Note: Subject to cash refund, a fee per "form" will apply. There is no charge if you receive a refund on a credit card. The amount of the fee charged depends on the amount of the refund.

0-25.00 EUR - 3 EUR

25.01 – 80.00 EUR - 4 EUR

80.01-150.00 EUR – 5 EUR

150.01-500.00 EUR – 8 EUR

Maccorp Forexchange

Downtown Refund Office, P.zza della Rotonda 68/b, 00100 Roma

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 9.00-20.30

Sun: 9.30-20.00

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy are accepted for payment.

Note: Maximum amount for cash refund- 500 EUR for each individual tourist

Note: Subject to cash refund, a fee per "form" will apply. There is no charge if you receive a refund on a credit card. The amount of the fee charged depends on the amount of the refund.

0-25.00 EUR - 3 EUR

25.01 – 80.00 EUR - 4 EUR

80.01-150.00 EUR – 5 EUR

150.01-500.00 EUR – 8 EUR

Maccorp Forexchange

Int. Stazione Termini c/o agenzia 365, Atrio Centrale P.zza 500, Roma 00185

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 07:15 - 21:45

Sat: 07:15 - 21:45

Sun: 07:15 - 21:45

Note: Only Global Blue Tax Free forms issued in Italy are accepted for payment.

Note: The maximum amount for receiving a refund on a credit card is 1500 EUR / Tax Free form.

Note: The maximum amount to receive a cash refund is EUR 2999.50 per individual traveller.

Note: Subject to receipt of a cash refund, a fee will be charged for each ""form"". There is no charge if you receive a refund on a credit card. The amount of the fee charged depends on the amount of the refund.

0 - 25.00 EUR - 3 EUR

25.01 - 80.00 EUR - 4 EUR

80.01 - 150.00 EUR - 5 EUR

150.01 - 800.00 EUR - 8 EUR

800.01 - 2999.99 EUR - 1% of the reimbursement amount

All tourists who are not residents of the Eurozone countries, Italy provides the right to receive TAX FREE. You can use this service if:

• make a purchase in stores where you will see company logos on the windows: Global Blue TAX FREE (the most popular), TAX REFUND or PREMIER tax free. If you do not see them, do not hesitate to ask the seller if they issue TAX FREE.

• make purchases with a single check for at least 154.94 euros. If you failed to pay for all purchases with one check, then when making several purchases on the same day in one store, you can add all checks to make up the minimum amount above.

Registration of TAX FREE:

At the checkout according to your passport, the seller will issue you a TAX FREE check. Carefully check if your details are correct: last name, first name, country of residence, address and passport number.

It is important to remember that the check for TAX FREE is valid only for 3 months!!!

Return TAX FREE:

METHOD #1: a tourist can return TAX FREE without waiting for the day of departure from the country at one of the offices of the above companies located in the center of Rome. You must have with you: checks for purchases, a passport, the purchases themselves in an unpacked form with all tags and price tags, a return ticket. The paperwork will be filled out and the money will be given to you. When leaving the country at the airport, you will need to stamp the previously issued checks at the customs office (in Italian Dogana) and present your purchases.

Addresses of points TAX FREE Global Blue in Rome:

• ACCORP FOREXCHANGE. Via del Lavatore 88/a. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.30-19.30, Sun 11.30-18.30. Max refund Money- 500 Euro.
• MACCORP FOREXCHANGE. Via del Caravita 6. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.30-19.30, Sun 11.30-18.30.
• MACCORP FOREXCHANGE. Piazza della Rotonda 68/b. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9.00-20.30, Sun 9.30-20.00.

Addresses of TAX REFUND points in Rome:

• Best and Fast. Via Nazionale, 19. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.45-21.00.
• ROMA Via Veneto. Via Lazio, 10. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.30-19.00, Sat 9.30-13.00, Sun closed.
• ROME Piazza di Spagna. Piazza di Spagna, 38. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.30, Sat 9.00-12.30, Sun closed.
• ROME Piazza di Spagna. Piazza di Spagna, 80. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9.30-20.00.

Addresses of PREMIER Tax Free points in Rome:

• Premier Tax Free. Via Gregoriana, 54. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00.
• Forexchange. Via della Conciliazone, 43/A. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.30-20.00.
• Forexchange. Termini Train Station, opposite platform 4. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.00-20.00.
• Forexchange. Via del Caravita, 6. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9.00-20.00.
• Bank of China. Via Barberini, 97/103. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.45-16.00.

METHOD #2. TAX FREE can be returned at Fiumicino Airport (Aeroporto nazionale Leonardo da Vinci Fiumiccino). In this case, I advise you to arrive early, because very often there is a long queue at the TAX FREE pick-up points.

The procedure for obtaining TAX FREE is as follows:

1. go to the passenger check-in desk and take your boarding pass, tell the woman at the desk that you want to get TAX FREE, she shows you where the customs office is located (DOGANA in Italian).
2. after receiving boarding pass you take your luggage and go to the customs office. Things for which you want to return the tax, you need to prepare in advance so as not to waste time. Do not remove tags and price tags from them and do not unpack them.
3. the customs officer, at his discretion, may ask you to present all purchases according to the presented checks. If there are no questions, he will put a stamp on your checks.
4. with stamped checks, you go to the Global Blue TAX FREE, TAX REFUND or PREMIER tax free points, where you can receive money in cash immediately or on a bank card within 3-5 business days. I advise you, until the transfer of money to your card, keep the papers that the customs officer will give you. If the money does not come, you will need to call back the number indicated on the papers to obtain information.

Customs (DOGANA) at Fiumicino Airport are located:

• in the center of the first floor. After passing through this customs, upon presentation of your boarding pass, you check in your luggage,
• in the center of the hall behind passport control. For orientation: pass the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique, then the bar, on the right you will see the TAX FREE points of issue of all the above companies, behind them there is a customs point. After passing through this customs, you pick up your things in the cabin of the aircraft.

TAX FREE Global Blue points at Fiumicino Airport are located:

• Global Blue Italia srl. Terminal 3, next to check-in desk 326. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09.00-21.00. TAX FREE refund to credit card only.
• Global Blue Italia srl. Terminal 3 - Exit H1 (non-Schengen area). Opening hours: Mon-Sun 07.00-22.00. The maximum refund is 999.50 euros.
• Global Blue Italia srl. Terminal 5. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 07.00-12.00. The maximum refund is 999.50 euros.

TAX REFUND points at Fiumicino Airport are located:

• Terminal 3 (Check-in Area). Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.00-22.00.
• Terminal 3 (Departures Area). Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.00-22.00.
• Gate C20 (Departures Area). Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.00-22.00.

PREMIER Tax Free points at the airport are located:

• Terminal 3 - Gate H1. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.00-22.00.
• Terminal 5. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7.30-24.00.

Natalia Markhinina

Refunds begin in-store when you make a purchase. If you make a one-time purchase in the same store for an amount equal to or greater than 155 euro, then you can ask at the checkout to issue you documents for Tax Free (not all stores do this, but it never hurts to ask!). Those documents must contain your name, surname, passport details, credit card number (in case you want the money to be returned to your account). Not all stores fill this out, so you can fill in all the details later with a pen yourself.
Shopping is over, it's time for you to fly home...
In theory, if you fly home with a transfer to another European country, then the TAX FREE refund must be received there, but practice shows that everything can be done in Rome. We tell you how!
The action takes place in Terminal 3 of Fiumicino Airport.
The first thing you need to understand: are you checking in your purchases in luggage or are they traveling with you in hand luggage!

• Do you want to check in your purchases?

1. It is necessary to break all purchased items into suitcases (items must be labeled and unworn)
2. Next, we check in for the flight (if you checked in online, you still need to go to the airline’s counter and check in your luggage). At check-in, please state that you have TAX FREE goods in your suitcase. Your baggage will be checked in and returned to you.
3. WITH checked baggage you need to go to the DOGANA or CUSTOM counter, where the border guards will look at your purchases and, if everything is in order, they will stamp you on the documents that the store has made for you
4. After the stamps are set, luggage with purchases can be checked in
5. If you want to get money by transferring to a card, then at the exit from the border guards, there is a small TAX REFUND booth, a pretty Russian-speaking girl was sitting there, who looked through documents with stamps in 3 minutes, asked for a credit card and that's it! Approximately 2 weeks later, the money comes to the account. If you want to receive money in cash, then after the border guards you need to go through all the controls, and then follow the TAX REFUND sign (which is located in zone H and is open from 7 to 22) and present documents with stamps there. The money will be returned to you immediately in cash.

• Your purchases will fly with you in hand luggage

1. You check in, check in your luggage.
2. Pass all controls.
3. Follow the signs for Tax Refund
4. There, first you need to go to the booth with the inscription DOGANA or CUSTOM and demonstrate your purchases and documents for TAX FREE issued by the store. The customs officer checks everything with a serious look, puts a seal.
5. With documents with stamps, go to the next window and decide whether you want to receive money in cash or on a card. Everything, there is happiness!

The procedure is actually not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.

Tax free can be obtained in the city itself.

Leaving Italy, many tourists bring with them not only small souvenirs, but also significantly replenish their wardrobe or purchase expensive interior items. They should know that in this country there is a VAT refund system, which is levied on various goods. Tax Free in Rome is returned from the amount of purchases made by non-residents of Italy.

Features of obtaining Tax free

The system under consideration involves a return of 4 to 22% of the total purchase amount, the specified amount varies depending on the commission of the selected Tax Free operator and the amount of VAT. Legal entities can also use this service, while the amount of the refund will be charged from the funds spent on business trips abroad.

To return Tax free to Rimen you need:

• make purchases in one store for an amount exceeding 154.94 euros, while they must be paid with one check;
• when choosing a store, make sure that its windows have logos of companies such as Global Blue, Premier and Refund. Then you can definitely count on Tax Free;
• after making a purchase, issue a special form, upon presentation of which, at Fiumicino Airport or a special office, a certain refund amount will be issued.

In order to have time to issue a refund, it is necessary to provide a margin of time before departure, you will need to leave the hotel an hour earlier.

Ways to get Tax Free

There are two options for refunding VAT on purchases: directly on the day of departure and in advance.

Through companies

The above companies are all located in the center of Rome, in order to process a return to their office, you need to bring:

• unpacked purchases with price tags;
• checks for goods;
• international passport;
• return ticket.

After checking all the accompanying documents, buyers are given money. When you need to leave, at the airport you should stamp the checks issued by the company at the customs office and provide your purchases.

global blue

The office is located in Piazza di Spagna. Reception hours from 10.00 to 19.30, Sunday is a day off. The largest refund amount is 2999.50 euros in cash and 14999 in the form of a transfer to a credit card.

Despite the fact that we were talking about a 22% refund, in most cases the VAT refund after purchases will be much less, almost half, since a certain amount goes to remuneration to the intermediary. The exact amount of the refund will depend on the value of the purchases, if they are expensive, then the percentage will be lower.

Premier Tax Free

The return point is available in City Refund, you need to have credit cards such as Amex, MasterCard and Visa. Electronic and debit cards are not accepted, cash can be issued, but a commission is charged from them. Then you will need to get a customs mark, which acts as a confirmation of the export of the purchased goods, the received form must be returned to the Premier Tax Free office within 21 days.

If this is not done, the full amount of the refund, as well as additional costs for the return of funds, will be charged to the credit card.

Registration at the airport

Having decided to issue Tax Free just before departure, you need to take into account that a large queue constantly accumulates in front of the points of issue. To get a VAT refund at Rome airport, you need to go through several stages:

1. Pre-obtain a special invoice from the store where the purchases were made, when filling out which you will need to indicate your address, the amount of the refund and passport data. You can fill out such a form yourself or entrust this matter to the seller, as long as it contains the buyer's signature.
2. After the boarding pass is issued by the cashier, you should ask him where the customs office is located to receive Tax Free.
3. The customs officer stamps all checks presented, and if he requests, all purchases with tags must be presented, which in no case can be torn off or cut off. If a tourist travels further in the EU countries, then the stamp on the invoices is placed in the one from which he will return home.
4. The issued papers must be taken to the selected company and receive Tax free in the form of cash or by transfer to the card, in the second case they can take from 3 to 5 days. Until receipt of transfers, all completed documents must be kept, if suddenly the return is not transferred during this time, then it will be possible to obtain information about the reasons by calling the phone number indicated on these papers. In the event of the closure of the Cash refund point or its absence at the airport, it will be possible to send the completed forms to his address, without forgetting to enter your credit card number in them.

The detailed options for obtaining Tax Free make it possible to make a choice in favor of a more optimal method. The final amount will be slightly less than the VAT charged on the item, as it will be subject to a processing fee and possibly a cash refund fee.