Tax Free shopping allows international travelers to reclaim the VAT/GST included in goods purchased abroad when exported back home.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax included in the price of goods. Non-residents can reclaim it when exporting items purchased abroad.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is similar to VAT but is used in some countries like Canada and Australia. Both taxes can often be reclaimed by tourists.

This is the minimum amount you must spend to qualify for a refund. It varies by country and ensures you meet eligibility criteria. Minimum spend amount in supported countries:

In 🇫🇷 France: €100.01

In 🇧🇪 Belgium: €125.01

In 🇦🇹 Austria: €75.01

Yes, our platform allows you to combine multiple receipts to qualify.

1. Create your trip by adding: trip dates, point of departure and country of destination

2. When making a purchase, ask for an invoice with the provided details

3. Take a picture of the invoices and upload them to the platform

4. At the airport/border, present your passport, boarding pass, purchased goods and invoices to the customs officer

5. Get your refund within 24 hours

Yes! Just follow this process and ensure the invoice includes the required details, otherwise, we will not be able to accept simple order confirmations.

No ⚠️. If you do, we won't be able to process your VAT refund claim. Instead, show the pop-up screen on our platform to the shop staff to request an invoice with the provided details. Retailers are legally obligated to issue a business invoice upon request. Claiming VAT through multiple operators at the same time is not allowed.

No, you don't need to carry your passport with you. Simply ask the shop assistant to issue an invoice using the required details.

Countries

• 🇧🇪 Belgium

• 🇦🇹 Austria

• 🇫🇷 France

Stores

In any retail or online stores registrated in Belgium, Austria and France.

• Non-Residents: If you live outside the country and plan to take your purchases home, you can typically claim a refund.

• Proof of Export: You'll need to show that your goods are leaving the country.

• Short Stays: You must be visiting for less than six months and take your purchases home within three months of buying them.

Traveling to the EU?

1. You must live outside the European Union (EU).

2. Visit the EU country offering Tax Free services for less than six months.

3. Depart to a non-EU country within three months of your purchase date, taking your goods with you.

Required Documents

• Non-EU Passports: Only your passport is needed, unless we or Customs ask for more.

• EU Passports: You'll need proof that you live outside the EU (e.g., residence permit, work permit). However, acceptance can vary by us or Customs.

Unused, eligible goods in their original packaging that you carry in your personal luggage when leaving the country. Be sure to check country-specific rules for a detailed list of eligible items in our app.

We have compiled easy-to-follow guides for various countries that you can find in our app.

Physical goods like clothing, electronics, and luxury items. Services and restricted items like alcohol and tobacco often don't qualify. Be sure to check country-specific rules for a detailed list of eligible items in our app.

Usually these items are eligible if unused and in original packaging. Be sure to check country-specific rules for a detailed list of eligible items in our app.

No, Tax Free shopping applies only to physical goods, not services.

Export certificates may be needed for certain items like exotic leather goods to confirm legal export.

Not all stores participate in Tax Free programs, but you can still claim a tax refund for your purchases from any store using our app. Simply ask for a invoice with required details and follow our streamlined process to ensure eligibility.

Yes, as long as the goods are exported and meet the eligibility criteria.

Customs often require items to be in original packaging for inspection.

No, used items typically do not qualify for tax refunds.

No, duty-free items are not eligible for VAT refunds as they are already tax-exempt.

🇫🇷 France
Nom de l'entreprise: Inovat Sasu
Adresse: 24 rue de Clichy, Paris, 75009, France
TVA: FR96949444079

🇧🇪 Belgium
Bedrijfsnaam: Inovat BV
Adres: Rue de la Colonne 1A, 1080, Brussels, Belgium
BE0778.288.012

🇦🇹 Austria
Firmenname: Inovat Digital Tax Refund GmbH
Adresse: Am Gestade 3/1E, 1010 Vienna, Austria
USt-IdNr: ATU78976208

• Ask for invoice: Right before paying, show the pop-up message on our platform with the invoice details.

• No extra explanations needed: By law, stores must provide an invoice upon request. Simply ask for a "domestic invoice with VAT."

• Avoid confusion: Don't ask for "Tax Free" in-store—staff might try to create their own tax-free form.

• Manual entry: If necessary, you can fill out the invoice details yourself with the correct company information.

Follow your country-specific guide in the app for more guidance.

To request an invoice when you shop online:

Add the Right Billing Address

In the payment section, enter the required invoice details under "Billing Address." If there's a "Company" field, use it. If not, try:

• First Name: Inovat

• Last Name: [Country of Your Travel]

Ask for Help

If you can't fill it out yourself, simply reach out to the store's customer support and request an invoice.

Avoid Delivery Mix-Ups

Double-check that you're only using our details for billing, not delivery, so your items don't end up at our office.

Upload Your Invoice

Once your invoice is issued, upload it to the platform. You're all set!

• Identification of the store (name and address)

• Date

• Invoice number

• Description of each item

• VAT rate and total amount

• Identification of the buyer (use required name, address and VAT)

When you upload a picture of the invoice to our app, follow these simple rules:

• Take a good quality picture of your invoice.

• All mentions must be clearly readable.

• All 4 edges of the invoice must be visible.

• One page = one picture.

As soon as possible. Preferably on the date of the purchase (especially during peak periods such as after Christmas and during the summer holiday).

Yes, but they must be validated with a company stamp from the shop.

• Verification time depends on the traffic on our platform.

• It can be as short as a couple of minutes/hours but it can sometimes take longer.

• No worries, we keep your date of departure in sight and will verify your invoices in time.

We use advanced encryption and secure servers to protect your personal and financial information.

Use our app to upload receipts, generate a tax refund form, and validate it at customs upon departure.

A customs-approved document confirming your eligibility for a refund.

Once your invoices and ID/Residence Permit documents are approved, you'll instantly receive your Tax Refund Form in the app.

At tax refund counters or self-service kiosks at the airport.

No, our digital platform eliminates the need for mailing forms.

Track your refund status in the app after departure.

Don't worry—our app will guide you every step of the way! During the process, you'll need:

• A valid ID (e.g., passport or residence permit)

• Tax Free receipts

• A validated refund form (automatically generated by our platform once it's approved at departure)

• Travel details (e.g., flight number)

• Credit card details for the refund

• Usually you will receive it within 24 hours after the customs check.

• There may be some insignificant delays during peak season.

• Don't worry, your refund is guaranteed once you successfully pass customs check at the border.

On average 80-85% of VAT. Example: if your combined purchases amount is € 1,500 VAT included, then with 20% VAT rate the VAT is € 250 and you get € 200,00.

• Our refund is 60% higher compared to the refund of other providers.

We offer some of the lowest fees in the industry - we give you back up to 85% of your VAT.

Your bank may charge fees to receive the refund. Rest assured, we send you exactly what you see in the app, but your bank might deduct its own fees before you get it.

Refunds can be processed in 32+ currencies, depending on your preference and location.

Yes, but you'll need to follow each country's specific process and requirements, which you can find in our app.

You can still claim your tax refund! Just follow these steps:

Print your tax refund form

• Ask your hotel or Airbnb host to help you print it.

• If they can't, email us at info@inovat.tax.

Visit the customs office

• Get your form stamped at your final EU departure airport/port/railway station before you leave the EU.

Take a photo

• Make sure it's a clear picture of the stamped form.

Send it to us

• Submit the photo so we can process your refund right away.

Important: Keep your purchased items and original receipts handy in case customs wants to inspect them. Safe travels!

You'll need to validate your refund form at the customs office or a self-service kiosk. Refer to your country-specific guide in the app for step-by-step instructions.

You need to show to customs officer your:

1. Passport

2. Boarding pass

3. Purchased goods

In some rare cases you may be requested to print a form from the app when the digital process does not work. In such instances you will be notified in advance by our team with instructions.

Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight to ensure enough time.

Your boarding pass serves as proof that you're departing the country and exporting the goods.

A photo serves as proof of validation in case of disputes or system errors.

Sometimes, stores can't issue an invoice with our required details. It might be due to staff availability, specific store procedures, or even a refusal to provide one. In these rare cases:

Request One of These Two Documents

• An invoice in your name, ideally with our address or your non-EU address (as listed in your profile in our app).

• A purchase or till receipt that includes your name—and, if possible, our address.

If Neither Document is Available

• Use the standard purchase receipt the store gives you.

• Handwrite the following on it:
  - "Impossibility/refusal to issue Inovat invoice."
  - "Purchased on behalf of Inovat."
  - Your first and last name.
  - The current date.
  - Your signature.

• Take a picture of this annotated receipt and upload it to the Invoice tab.

Upload Proof of Payment

• Upload a separate payment receipt or a screenshot of your bank/credit card statement to "Your inovice" section inside “Your trip".

• If it's not available immediately, you can send it later—this won't affect generating or validating your tax-free forms.

Important: These "alternative" documents are only for exceptional cases when a standard invoice isn't possible.

Online Purchases

• If you receive an invoice in your own name for an online order, follow the same steps. (No proof of payment needed here!)

We're here to help make every step of your Tax Free shopping journey as smooth as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Contact the store for a duplicate receipt, as it's required for your claim.

Contact our support team through the app for help with troubleshooting.

If customs confiscate your goods, your tax refund may be denied.

Our team will email you with backup instructions. Contact support if needed.

Try another kiosk or contact our support team via the app for guidance.

If your form isn't validated, your refund claim will likely be rejected.