[2024 France Tax Refund & Shopping Guide] Paris Olympics is coming! Great time to get branded goods~

This year's Olympics are being held in Paris, France, of course, a great chance to take advantage and sightsee! France is also a shopping paradise for luxury brands, with many brands originating from there. Coupled with high tax refunds, it's an opportunity to shop till you drop! This time, we'll introduce you to shopping centers in France, tax refund standards, and the tax refund process, making your French trip even more perfect!

It has been a hundred years since France last hosted the Summer Olympics! With sports events finally free from the impact of the pandemic, besides tickets being in high demand, prices for accommodation and attractions near the event site are constantly soaring. It's really important to plan ahead! Date: July 26 to August 11, 2024

The cheapest and most convenient way to play is to buy a tourist pass. There are two ways to buy it: by the number of days or by the number of attractions. You can choose according to your personal interests. Tickets for popular attractions such as the Louvre Museum, Versailles Palace, Disney, and a boat tour on the Seine River in Paris are all available!

How can you buy the most and cheapest goods in the shortest time? Here I recommend two large outlets near Paris, one affordable sportswear outlet, with super deals and a variety of brands, less than an hour's drive from the city center. Shopping here is less crowded and puts less pressure on your wallet!

This is one of the best outlets near Paris, with over 100 luxury brands like Calvin Klein, Loewe, and Gucci. It's recommended to spend half a day here. However, there are fewer dining options inside the outlet. If you want to eat, you can go to the nearby Val d'Europe shopping center, which also has more affordable brands. Since it's about a 40-minute drive from central Paris, I recommend using the shuttle service so you don't have to struggle carrying your purchases on the way back!

If you want to explore more French domestic brands, I recommend visiting One Nation Paris. The designs here combine the styles of Versailles Palace and its gardens. With over 400 brands available, you can purchase items at prices ranging from 70% to 30% off. Its location is near Versailles Palace, so I highly recommend combining the two trips into one day!

After buying from luxury brands, you can come to this outlet to buy sportswear! Marques Avenue has seven branches and takes a more affordable route, so it mainly features general chain clothing and sports brands. It's a pretty fun place to shop!

France has a VAT refund rate of 12%, which is quite good compared to other European countries. However, to successfully get a refund, "you" must first meet three eligibility criteria: * Non-EU resident or citizen * Aged 16 years or older * Visit France for no more than 6 months

If you meet the tax refund eligibility, then it depends on whether your shopping reaches the tax refund threshold each time. If you shop at the same store for more than 100 euros within three days, you can apply for a tax refund. As long as the store provides a tax refund service, you can tell the cashier that you want a tax refund when you checkout, and the store will help you with the subsequent process. But be reminded that if you use cash for a tax refund, the maximum amount you can receive is 1000 euros!

Refunds are, of course, subject to limitations. France stipulates that the purchase limit for the same goods is 15 items, and they must be purchased by the applicant for tax refunds, with complete products, tags, and receipts maintained. Goods such as tobacco and services are not included in the scope of tax refunds.

When applying for a tax refund at the store, you need to prepare your passport, credit card, permanent address, email, and phone number; at the airport, you will need your passport, ticket, tax refund form, receipt, and complete merchandise.

1. The purchaser meets the tax refund eligibility, confirms as a taxable merchant, and consumes over 100 euros within three days at the same store.
2. Tell the cashier you want to apply for a tax refund when checking out.
3. Confirm whether you want cash or credit card refund. Cash can be received at the airport, but the handling fee is higher. Credit card refund takes 4-6 weeks to receive.
4. Apply for a tax refund form at the purchasing store. The cashier usually assists. After completion, keep the tax refund form, tax refund envelope, and consumption receipt.
5. When ending your trip, operate the tax refund machine at the airport customs counter. Just follow the machine's instructions. A green smiley face indicates a successful refund; otherwise, go to the customs counter for manual inspection. Remember to complete the operation before check-in and baggage drop-off!
6. If you choose cash refund, go to the cash paris counter to collect the cash.

這段文字介紹了一個叫做 Airvat Tax Refund 的 App，可以用來在台灣購物後申請退稅。 以下總結重點： * **用途:** 幫助旅客在台灣購物後更輕鬆地申請退稅。 * **使用步驟:** 1. 在購物前下載並註冊 Airvat Tax Refund app。 2. 選擇由 Airvat 開立發票的商家 (結帳前詢問有無開立 Airvat 發票)。 3. 透過 app 完成退稅流程。 * **優點:** 讓退稅流程更順暢。 **建議：** * 可以考慮添加一些關於 Airvat Tax Refund 的額外資訊，例如其支持的語言、付款方式等等。 * 加入一些使用者的真實評價或體驗分享，會讓介紹更具說服力。

This concludes our complete guide to French shopping and tax refunds! However, during the Olympics, Paris will undoubtedly be crowded. To successfully buy your desired brands, remember to do your homework beforehand! If you'd like to visit other European countries as well, please refer to the following information to plan your European trip!

Cover photo source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/15-lessons-about-france-emily-learns-in-emily-in-paris