Tax-free diamond shopping in Paris

In France, the price of a jewel includes 20% VAT. If you live outside the European Union and take your purchase home, you can get a large part of this VAT back. This is called the détaxe, or tax-free shopping. On a diamond, the amount is far from small.

Who can benefit?

• You live outside the European Union. What counts is your country of residence, not your nationality. Visitors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, the Middle East or Asia qualify, for example.
• You are in France for a short stay and you take the jewel out of the EU within three months after the purchase.
• Your purchase is more than €100 including VAT, in the same shop on the same day.

How much do you get back?

The VAT included in a French price is 16.67% of that price. This is the maximum you can recover. In practice, the refund operator keeps a fee, so the amount you receive depends on the operator and on the amount of the purchase.

Example: on a ring at €10,000 including VAT, the VAT included is €1,666. This is the maximum refund, before the operator's fee.

Step by step

• 1. In the shop. Bring your passport. The seller prepares the tax-free form (bordereau de détaxe) with your purchase.
• 2. At the airport. Before check-in, validate the form electronically at a PABLO kiosk, at your last point of exit from the EU. Keep the jewel with you: customs may ask to see it.
• 3. The refund. Once the form is validated, the refund is paid by the method chosen when the form was made, usually on your bank card.

If you continue your trip in another EU country, the validation is made at the border where you finally leave the EU.

Back home

Many countries ask travellers to declare valuable goods above a duty-free allowance, and import duties or local taxes may apply. Check the rules of your country before you travel. Keep the invoice and the grading report with the jewel.

With me

I offer the VAT refund to visitors from outside the EU. Tell me when you book that you are a non-EU resident, and bring your passport to the appointment. I prepare the form with you, so you have nothing to worry about on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the VAT refund on a diamond?
Yes. A loose diamond or a diamond ring bought in France can be exported tax-free if you live outside the EU and meet the conditions.

Can EU residents get the VAT refund?
No. Residents of the European Union are not eligible, even if they are not EU citizens.

Is the refund the full 20%?
No. The 20% is added to the price before VAT, so it represents 16.67% of the final price. The refund operator then keeps a fee.

What if I forget to validate at the airport?
Without validation, the refund cannot be paid. Plan a little time before check-in.

Visiting from outside the EU? Tell me your dates in Paris and I will prepare a selection of diamonds for your visit.

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