How does tax-free shopping work for purchases I make abroad?

Tax-free rules vary from country to country. The golden rules: shop at a store that offers tax-free processing, say at the till that you want to shop tax-free, and have your passport ready. Make sure you collect the tax-free form and your invoice/receipt from the store. In some countries (for example Japan, until 1 November 2026) certain stores can apply the deduction directly at purchase, but in most cases you complete the process at customs when leaving the country. Refunds to a credit card or bank account are usually commission-free, whereas cash refunds involve both a currency conversion and a processing fee — even so, unless you bought something very expensive, cash is often the more practical option. Some countries require a minimum purchase amount. For details, visit Global Blue. One important point, especially for purchases in an EU country: do not start using the item until you have completed the tax-free formalities at that country's customs — in short, keep it in its packaging.