Global Blue

How to shop tax free

Global Blue Tax Free Shopping brings you additional savings on purchases at over 300,000 stores in the world's best shopping districts. Join the 23 million travelers who shop Global Blue Tax Free every year. Just look for the blue star in the store or ask for Global Blue.

You don't have to worry about filling out Global Blue forms. Hild Radwelt will take care of everything!

SHOP
When paying for your purchases, ask the store employees for a Global Blue Tax Free form.
If you are a SHOP TAX FREE cardholder, you can show your card to the store staff. Your personal information will be automatically filled in on the Tax Free form.

STAMP
Go to the customs counter at the airport or port and present your completed tax free form, passport, receipts and purchases to get a stamp on your form.
Merchandise should be unused and with original receipts available for inspection.

REQUEST
Go to the nearby office with a Global Blue logo. In some cases, this is a money exchange.
Present your stamped, completed tax-exempt form and passport to receive your refund in cash or on your credit card.
In a hurry? Use the Global Blue mailbox near most customs offices to return your completed, stamped tax-free form and receipts to Global Blue for your credit card refund. We recommend adding your email address to the tax-free form in case we need to contact you.
The refund paid is the sales tax minus Global Blue's service fee.

CONTACT GLOBAL BLUE
Completed tax-free forms stamped by customs can be sent to the following address:

Standard and registered mail:
Global Blue P.O.BOX 363 810 00 Bratislava Slovakia, Europe

For courier:
Global Blue, Prievozska 4D / Block E, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe

Use the Global Blue prepaid envelope from the store where you made your tax-free purchase. Alternatively, you can use your own envelope, but postage will be charged.

In case you received a refund downtown (quick refund / VAT), Global Blue must receive your completed tax-free form within 21 days of purchase to avoid a charge to your credit card and penalty. For China UnionPay refunds, the form must be received within 15 days.

Before you send the documents, we recommend you make a copy of them and write down the DOC ID (Tax Free Form Number) of each form for reference.

If you have any questions: http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/faqs/

Tips and guidelines for tax free shopping in Germany

VAT rate 19%: general goods
VAT rate 7%: Food, books and cards, antiques and artifacts, medical supplies (wheelchairs, orthopedic aids, hearing aids)
Minimum purchase amount: 50.01 EUR

Note: The German government has reduced VAT in Germany from 19% to 16% and from 7% to 5% in the period from July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

Who is entitled to tax-free shopping?
● If you are a permanent resident of a non-EU country
● If you have a valid long-term visa (over 3 months) for a non-EU country
● If you are over 18 years old

How to shop tax-free
Click here to learn more about how to claim your tax refund, including how to fill out the tax-free form
Stamp period: month of issue + 3 months
Validity of stamped form: Date of issue + 4 years

Local information
If you are a resident of Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Bussingen, you can get more out of your purchases at Aldi Sud Shop. For more information, click here

Tax-exempt goods:
Refunds are paid for all goods exported in the traveler's personal luggage.
Non-refundable goods:
● Cars or items for cars (e.g. spare parts, oil, navigation system, car radio)
● Phones with contract / SIM card

Contact Global Blue
Completed tax-free forms stamped by Customs can be sent to:

Standard and Registered Mail: Global Blue P.O. Box 363, 810 00 Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe
For courier: Global Blue, Prievozska 4D / Block E, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe

For frequently asked questions visit: http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/faqs/