How Do I Claim My VAT Refunds at the Paris Train Station and Again at the Paris Airport?

Dear Pursebop,

I am flying into CDG airport and spending a week in Paris. Assuming I will do some shopping in Paris in the first leg of my trip, I will then be taking a train from Paris to London for a week and then back to CDG for my flight out back home. Question: do I claim vat refund at the train station when I leave Paris for London or when I come back from London at CDG airport before I fly home? Hoping to get some insight. Thank you

Dear Claim My VAT Refund:

You may actually submit your VAT forms either at the Paris train station or when you return to the CDG airport. We recommend submitting the forms at the first opportunity, which would be the train station for you, to start the process of refunding your VAT quicker.

If you decide to claim your VAT refund at the train station before leaving Paris for the purchases made during your first week here is the procedure.

When you arrive at the Gare du Nord Eurostar station, you’ll need to enter the ticket gates first, go through customs and security checks, then you’ll see the tax refund kiosks with obvious détaxe signs. If you can’t find the kiosks, just ask the staff to direct you to the tax-refund.

If you are not shopping again in Paris upon your return from London then you will have nothing to submit at the airport since you submitted your VAT refund forms at the Gare du Nord Eurostar station.

If you return to Paris and make more purchases, or you did not submit the forms at the train station, you may claim the VAT refund for those purchases at the CDG airport before you depart.

At the CDG airport be sure to do the Detax process before you check your luggage or go through security. This will be your first step upon arriving at the airport.

Have a great trip and happy shopping.

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