GETTING YOUR VAT REFUND AT FRANKFURT AIRPORT IS A BREEZE:
VAT Refund at Frankfurt Airport
If you’ve been through the VAT refund process at Rome Fiumicino, Amsterdam Schiphol or London Heathrow, you’ll be somewhat familiar with “How to get your VAT refund process at Frankfurt Airport“, except for where the VAT refund desks are. Our flight out of Frankfurt was from Terminal 1 and the VAT refund locations mentioned below refer to Terminal 1.
Frankfurt Airport T1
We arrived early at Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 and had time to check out the location of the Customs desk and the VAT refund companies. A large board in the departure hall points to the Hall B Customs area. This sign also states that this Customs desk operates from 10 am to 6:30 pm only, but it doesn’t mention where to go if you are on a later flight. But no need to panic, for VAT claims after 6:30 pm, you’ll need to proceed to the Customs desk next to Counter numbers 643-645.
VAT Refund Process
VAT Refund at Frankfurt Airport
If you are packing your purchases into your check-in luggage:
1. Check-in for your flight and tell the airline staff that you would like to have your luggage back to get Customs export certification.
2. With your boarding pass and tagged luggage proceed to the Customs Desk and have your documents stamped. We had a late flight departure and so we had to go to Counter 643 – the closer and more convenient Hall B Customs desk closed promptly at 6:30 pm.
When we got to the Customs desk, we experienced a sinking feeling as there was a Chinese tour group in front of us, with some 30 people in the queue. Luckily, on this occasion, the tour guide was smart enough to organize his group and he provided assistance with their Customs verification. This helped to speed up the process immensely and the Customs officers were relieved at not having to deal with the language difficulties.
3. The Customs officer will ask if you have all your goods in your case and they can ask to see the goods. But when we were there we didn’t see anyone being asked to show their purchases.
4. After the Customs stamp you will deposit your luggage on trolleys next to the Customs desk and they are then taken by baggage workers to be dropped off at the carousels.
VAT refund at Frankfurt Airport
5. The Global Blue desks are next to Customs so I went and got my refund there. They charge Euros 3 for each VAT receipt if you want cash, which I did. This saves the hassles of anything going wrong or missing in the mail. Also, our bank charges us exchange fees as well as transaction fees for any credit card currency conversions back to Australian dollars.
If you don’t want cash, the refund will be credited to your credit card by the respective VAT refund agencies and no fees are payable. Before handing in your documents, take a snap of your Customs stamped documents just in case documents go missing in the mail.
Know the Rules
Most of my VAT refunds were with Global Blue and the lady I dealt with was very friendly. Next to me an Indian lady was very irate and abused the poor Global Blue worker because of the Euros 3 charge as she thought it was a rip-off. The moral of the story is to be aware of the VAT refund terms and conditions and please don’t go tearing into the poor worker who is just doing his/her job.
Other VAT Refund Companies
Being the main VAT refund company, the Global Blue desk is just next to Customs. However, you’ll find the other VAT refund companies like Premier Tax Free, Tax Free Germany and Tax Free Worldwide at counters 561-567, opposite from the Customs desk.
VAT Refund Companies at Frankfurt Airport
One of my VAT cheques was from Tax Refund for Tourist and unfortunately this company does not have an office in Germany and so I had to mail my form. There is a Deutsche Post box around the corner and no stamps are required if mailed within Europe. I followed my own advice and took a copy of the documents before mailing them. A week after I had returned home I tried to tracked my VAT refund online and was told that they hadn’t received my documents. I emailed all the copies of my forms and they then acknowledged that they had received them and paid me the refund.
Other companies like Premier Tax Free, Tax Free Worldwide and Tax Refund for Germany are represented at Frankfurt Airprot.
VAT Refund at Frankfurt Airport is easy
We found that getting our VAT refund at Frankfurt Airport was quite easy and it took only 15 minutes, in spite of being behind a tour group. But do allow time as you can never tell how quickly the groups are processed. After we finished, another big group arrived.
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Hello
My name is Saeid
I had purchase in Frankfort in April 25 and after showing my receipt in tax refund in airport I write my information on the receip and I put it in the box for getting tax of my purchase.
Noting happened after that
Hi
I didn’t get my tax refund at airport
Even I did all procedure in this issue in April 25
I have submitted my Tax Free with “Premier Tax Free” 6 weeks a go, and I never got my money back to my Visa.. I called “Premier Tax Free” and now good response..!!what do you advise me.. and who should I contact for this matter
Emad,
You can track the progress of your VAT refund online, but only if you have the Barcode number.
https://premiertaxfree.com/track-my-refund
These VAT refund companies get thousands of claims to process everyday and the only way you can track yours is by providing this unique barcode number.
If you can’t find your claim in their online tracking system, you can raise a query, but you must be able to provide them a scanned copy of your invoice and the Customs stamped VAT form. It’s only with these documents that they can investigate your claim.
All the best,
Helen Page
The tax free papers were taken by the global blue personnel and no reference number has been provided to track the status of the refund amount.
So in that how we can track the status ? Is there any email address or contact number to reach them?
Fernandas,
Following is link for Global Blue contact.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
Regards,
Helen Page
Hi Helen,
Thank you so much.. it helped me..
I just come to know that my money got transferred to my account withing two days.. My bad, I did not verified my bank account…
Thanks again
!!
Glad to hear of your happy outcome.
Kind regards,
Helen
Helen –
What to do if leaving Stuttgart connecting in Frankfurt before flying direct to the USA? Some of my goods are in my checked baggage but some I am carrying on
Hi Rene,
If your baggage is being checked all the way to the USA, then you’ll do your VAT process in Stuttgart. Hand-carried items should be claimed in Frankfurt, but I would ask in Stuttgart if they’ll allow you to do it there. They are varying degrees of strictness at the different airports. I would prefer to have it all done in Stuttgart just in case there’s a flight delay and you don’t have much time in Frankfurt.
If you are flying out of Stuttgart Terminal 1 or 3, Global Blue refunds are handled by Reisebank. If your VAT refund is from another company, I would check online to see where their refund points are before going to the airport.
Regards,
Helen
Dear Madam/Sir
On the 25th of March, i applied for my tax refund to my credit card number while i am flying from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa by Ethiopian Airlines. But i couldn’t get the refund for more than 3 weeks. I was told by the custom officer that i could get my refund within 5 days.
Kind Regards
Yohannes Million
Yohannes,
The more likely timeframe is three weeks as your VAT form has to reach the VAT company and then be processed by them. If you’ve kept a copy of your VAT form ID you can go online and track your refund.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Hi Helen
I am going to purchase items in The Netherlands but an flying out of Frankfurt. Do you know if they handle cross border VAT refunds as its all within the EU?
Your thoughts?
Hi Andre,
VAT is always claimed at your last point of exit from the EU, regardless of where you shopped. In your case this is Frankfurt.
Kind regards,
Helen
I applied for VAT refund in Frankfurt Terminal ! after I had gone through customs.
On presentation to the VAT refund counter I was redirected around the corner and down a passageway where respective documentation was stamped for posting back to the merchant in Hamburg.
Somewhere in that process, I think that I may have left the item on the counter.
Can you pleas provide a email address so that I can contact and enquire as to whether may stilt have the item (tailors Tie) or the respective lost and found department
Your assistance is appreciated.
Hi Brenton,
Your best bet is to go through Frankfurt Airport Lost and Found section. Please clarify which VAT refund counter you went to, i.e. Global Blue or Premier Tax Free, etc.
https://forms.frankfurt-airport.com/rhforms/fundbuero/form;jsessionid=7906811EB79F38059AF89A2E5AF92039.srv4_tc7p03?lang=de
Good luck!
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi there,
Thank You so much for all the information.
I have a flight leaving for New York that departs at 0820 hours and I’m worried that there are no counters for customs stamp or tax refund.
Do you know if there are any customs counters where I can get my documents stamped in the early morning? I will be carrying the items in my check in so I believe I will need to have the forms stamped before immigration.
Appreciate the help!
Regards
David
Hi David,
According to Global Blue’s website, their Terminal 1 landside refund point opens at 7 am and their airside refund point opens at 6 am so I assume the customs desks for VAT refund will be open close to those hours. If you are checking in your shopping, you’ll need to follow the process as described above. The Zoll (customs) areas are well signposted and I suggest you arrive early to make sure you’re the first in line when the desks are opened.
If for whatever reason you fail to get your Customs stamp at the airport, it is possible to get your export validated at a German embassy in N.Y. But they do charge for that service.
Good luck and let me know how you go.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,
I am a bit confused about your message here. In the article, you mention that the customs office opens at 10am, but in your response to David you say it matches the Global Blue hours.
This is critical for me because I only have a 1 hour connection in Frankfurt to get my customs stamp. I’m flying in to Terminal 1 from Budapest and my next flight out of Frankfurt is at 10am. So would I be able to get my customs stamp before 10am, airside?
Thanks!
Hi Wannie,
There are a few places where you can get your VAT forms stamped at Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1. If you read my article carefully, you will see that the 10 am Customs desk opening refers to the one at Departure Hall B. There are also Customs desk next to Counters 643-645. Both of these are Landside and are not relevant to you.
As you only have 1 hour connection time at Frankfurt, I suggest you try and get your VAT form stamped in Budapest. At Frankfurt Airport you still need to allow time to get to your boarding gate and go through security check, so you really don’t have an hour spare. The link below shows you where the Global Blue Airside desks are and their operating hours. There should be a Customs desk close by.
http://www.globalblue.com/tax-free-shopping/germany/frankfurt-terminal-1
From my experience, 1 hour is just enough time to get from your disembarkation gate to your boarding gate and security.
Regards,
Helen Page
I was unaware that VAT could be refunded. Is there a way to get a refund on goods purchased if I did not file paperwork at the airport or with customs? Are you also able to receive refunds on VAT charged on hotel rooms and rental cars? I have all of my receipts. Thank you in advance.
Heidi,
1. You must have a VAT form from the shop and this must be stamped by Customs to be eligible for VAT refund.
2. Consumables like meals, hotel rooms and rental cars are not part of the VAT refund scheme. It basically covers shopping that you are exporting out of the EU.
Regards,
Helen Page
Hello,
my Japanese wife is going to Berlin/Germany in August and intends to buy a large Rimowa suitcase.
We are wondering now if she can use the new Rimowa straight away for her return flight (after throwing away the old suitcase in Berlin) And still get the VAT refund at the airport?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Arnold,
The rules say that the goods have to be “unused”, but I think that as far as a suitcase is concerned, they would not be so strict. Tell them that the old case broke.
Anyway, your wife should certainly give it a try.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi There
I traveled from Warsaw > Frankfurt > India. I was carrying the Tax free items in Hand Luggage, so custom stamping did not happen at Warsaw. At Frankfurt the Time was short between connecting flights and After Passport check point there was no Custom person available at the custom check point.
I got a stamp from the passport control person. Will this help in Tax refund?
What else can be done to enable VAT refund.
Can you provide a sample , how does the Frankfurt export stamping looks like?
Hi Santosh,
I suggest that you email the VAT refund people directly (i.e. Global Blue or Premier Tax Free etc.) and ask them directly. If they will not accept the passport control stamp, then your option is to go to a German or EU consulate near you and ask them to do an export validation stamp for you. There will be a charge involved.
As to what a Customs stamp looks like, it has the German coat-of-arms (black eagle), the word “Zoll” and the name of the city on it.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Hi Helen,
I’m intending to get a rimowa luggage from Frankfurt airport n not sure as to whether the shop is located after the immigration n if so how do I check in my luggage?
Hi Dorothy,
I’m not sure if your concern is about claiming your VAT refund or just checking in your newly purchased luggage?
Most luggage-type shops would be in the shopping plaza before security. If you’re set on a Rimowa luggage, I suggest you find out from the shops if they stock this make. For obvious reason, airside shops cannot sell large bulky luggage that you cannot take on the plane. If you happen to have a bag that is too large for the cabin, the aircrew can ask for it to be taken away to be stowed in the cargo section.
In regard to claiming for VAT refund, for anything purchased landside, you’ll claim your VAT refund as explained above. Anything that’s bought airside in the duty-free shops would already have had their VAT deducted.
Regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for all the information.
I would be really grateful if you can clarify my scenario.I have a flight at 9.30 pm from frankfurt to india,but I would be reaching the airport by 4.00pm.
So is it possible to complete this formalty before i collect my boarding pass because i think the gates would be open around 6.30pm so basically I have 3 hours in hand.
Thanks in Advance
Panda
Hi Panda,
To claim your VAT refund you’ll need to have your boarding pass and your baggage needs to be tagged by your airline. Once you get your Customs stamp, your baggage has to be deposited in an area next to the Customs desk.
1. getting your boarding pass early is not a problem as you can check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do your online check-in about 48 hours before your flight.
2. to get your bags tagged, you’ll need to see if there are self check-in machines at the terminal which allows you to get your own baggage tags.
If you can do both of the above, then you can do your VAT refund earlier. If not, you’ll have to wait till the check-in desks are open, which as you say will be about 6:30 pm.
Hope the above clarifies your scenario.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,
I am flying Sevilla – Frankfurt – Singapore. I plan to get the custom stamp on my VAT refund form in Sevilla and go to the Premier Tax refund counter to get cash refund in Frankfurt. Would that work?
Hi Agnes,
What you are planning is fine. I don”t know how long your stopover in Frankfurt is, however if you can get your stamp in Seville and have time to collect your money, you may as well do everything in Seville.
Regard,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for your quick response.
Problem is that there is no cash refund counter in Sevilla. Infact, the tax refund office to get a custom stamp is also strangely located in the arrival hall rather than the departure hall.
I have 5 hours of connecting time in Frankfurt T1.
Hi Agnes,
If you have 5 hours at Frankfurt T1, you will have time to get your VAT processed there. The Customs desk and VAT companies are close together. I believe Travellex handles all the refunds.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi, I’m traveling from Heathrow airport to Frankfurt to Singapore. If I need a custom stamp, where should I get it? As mentioned above, I need to do it at last EU which is Frankfurt airport, does it mean that I need to hand carry it? I only have an hour to stopover for my next connecting flight? In your opinion, stamp at Heathrow airport and check in the goods, will I get my refund back?
Hi Angelia,
Have your VAT processed at Heathrow. Frankfurt is not a really a stop for you as you are connecting for your next flight immediately. You’ll be able to pack your shopping into your check-in luggage and get your VAT refunded there.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi helen,
Is it a must to check in the items I bought from my last eu stop into my luggage after I got my custom stamps?
I would like my items to be wif me in my hand carry luggage to my flight is it fine?
Hi Wei,
For hand carried items, you get your stamp from the Customs desk after the passport check. After getting your required Customs stamp you can get your VAT refund from the VAT companies which are located nearby.
Regards,
Helen
Great article, very helpful. One thing that I’m confused about… You refer to “getting documents stamped”…do I need something more at the customs desk besides the goods and a receipt from the shop which details the VAT amount?
Also you mention articles should be new condition. I assumed this would exclude any clothing purchased and worn?
Thanks!
Hi Rick,
Receipt alone is not sufficient. When you do your shopping, tell the cashier that you would like to claim VAT refund on the purchase. They will then provide you with a VAT form. This is the form that Customs need to stamp.
Yes, it is a requirement that goods purchased should be unused, but I don’t think they monitor this too closely unless of course if your clothing look decidedly worn.
Regards,
Helen
I presented all my tickets stamped and forms. Global Blue said Ok and ask me if I want cash or refund to my credit card. I choose through my credit card. This happend in Frankfurt Airport March 27th 2019. Nothing happened jet. My Passport xxxx. I have make many requet already without answer. I want my money. The process was approved. You have to refund me the money. Unfortunately I did not take pictures from the tockets and the Global Blue counter did not give me any receipt. Thank you
Hi Andrea,
We are a travel planning and information website and we are not in any way connected to Global Blue. We appreciate your frustration in not having your VAT refunded, however Global Blue are the only people who can address your claim. Unfortunately, without copies of your VAT forms it will be difficult for them to trace your lodgements. That said, they do have provision for customers to make enquiries in situations like yours.
The link below takes you to their contact page. Once you are there, go to Email Us. Select Enquiries regarding refund status. Click on Email Enquiry Form and scroll to the section titled If you do not have your Tax Free Form Number please follow the below steps:
https://secure.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
Good luck with your enquiries. By the way, I’ve crossed off your passport number.
Regards,
Helen Page
Hello, I am planning to leave India on 12th July 2019. I stayed in Germany for 3 months and i made several purchases of various items in various shops (C&A/NIKE/LIDL/ALDI/SPICE LANDS ETC).
I stay in Work Permit D Visa.
My flight @ 10.45 pm. Can you please update the process of claiming tax refund since I do not have account in Germany whether will I get cash at the counter and relevant steps required.
Regards
Mani Ramachandran
Hi Mani,
To get your VAT refund, you must have made a minimum purchase of Euros 25 and have a VAT refund form from the seller. This is the form that has to be stamped by Customs. Not all shops participate in the VAT refund scheme, e.g. I don’t think supermarkets like Aldi and Spicelands are involved.
With your VAT refund forms, invoices and goods, you follow the process as esplained in the post. If you have a lot of purchases, you should get to the airport earlier – airline counters usually open 3 hours before flight time.
You do not need to have an account in Germany to claim VAT refund. The refund can be paid into your credit card or in cash. If you choose cash, there will be a fee of about Euros 3 for each purchase receipt. It’s important that your VAT forms are fully completed, so I suggest you carefully do all your paperwork before you get to the airport.
Regards,
Helen Page
Hi Helen Page,
Thank you for the detailed answers.
Will get VAT refund from sellers, but Where will I get VAT forms so that I can go with all papers to customs for stamping?
Thanks & Regards
Mani Ramachandran
Hi Mani,
If the store is a participant of the tax-free shopping scheme, they are the ones who will issue you the VAT refund form at the time of purchase. You need to take your purchase, receipt and passport back to the store and see if they will issue you the form.
Regards,
Helen Page
Hi Helen,
I came to Germany only for three months from Africa. Because I have no electronic pay cards, I asked one of my German friends to purchase me a laptop with his pay card, – and in return I gave him the money in cash – before he ordered it in Amazon.
And now, I would really appreciate if you help me clear my requests below:
1. Does Amazon provide vat form for online purchases apart from electronic receipts for my tax refund?
2. Is Amazon’s electronic invoice or receipt acceptable for tax refund at Frankfurt Airport?
3. Would it be a problem that my name is not on the invoices or receipts, as long it was my friend who got me the purchase ?
Thank you Helen!
Hi Dalu,
Not all shops offer tax-free shopping so if it’s important for you to get the VAT refund, you should check with the retailer before making the purchase. Generally online companies like Amazon are legally ineligible to participate in the VAT Retail Export Scheme. Online retailers are not able to verify that you are a non-EU resident (you have to show your passport) and they do not have information that’s required to complete the VAT form.
When you export your laptop, Customs will need to stamp the VAT Form before your VAT can be processed. Just an electronic invoice is not sufficient. Unfortunately in this instance you’ll not be able to claim VAT refund on your laptop.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Yes Helen,
I am sorry, I was not very clear enough to you. What I mean is:
1. I wanted to buy a laptop on amazon, but since I have no any electronic payment card, I then made a deal with people.
The deal was ‘ You purchase me a laptop on my behalf, because you have electronic card and I do not. Then, I refund you the money in cash.”
With this deal, the laptop is bought from Amazon. Now my question is:
1. Does Amazon offer a receipt, which could be ELIGIBLE for tax refund?
2. And, Would I be a able to get the tax refund, though the purchase is made through my friend’s
account?
Thank you Helen!
Dalu,
The answer to your questions is as per my original response. Because Amazon is an online business, they are not eligible to participate in the VAT refund scheme. A shop offering tax-free shopping must be able to verify that the shopper is a non-EU resident. You have to show your passport and the passport information is entered into the VAT form. An Amazon receipt is not sufficient for VAT refund purposes.
Regards,
Helen
Hi, I would like to enquire how do I check if the tax Refund company has received my form which I was required to send by post at Frankfurt airport.
Hi Seow Pheng,
I hope you have kept a copy of your VAT form. In the top right hand corner you will find the DOC ID No. Go to the website of the VAT refund company and look for their Track your Refund page. Enter your Document ID no. and the system will tell the status of your refund. If you have not kept a copy of the VAT form, you will need to contact the retailer and see if they can send you a copy.
Best of luck in tracing your refund.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Thank you very much, Helen!
Do I need to keep the box that a bag I purchased came in for customs stamping? Is 2 hours of transit enough to get customs stamp at Frankfurt airport? Or can I get customs stamp at Florence airport before I get to Frankfurt? Thanks!
Hi Kaylee,
1. It’s not necessary to keep the box for the bag for Customs stamping.
2. If you intend to pack your bag into your check-in luggage, then you must get your Customs stamp at Florence airport. If you intend to hand-carry it, then I would play it safe and try getting the stamp at Florence airport, after security. Although 2 hours transit time should be sufficient, you don’t know if there will be flight delays or if you have to walk a distance to get your stamp and then to get to your departure gate.
Kind regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Do the VAT refund agencies share the information regarding whatever I purchased overseas with my country of origin? If so, I could get nailed with import duties and additional VAT when arriving back at my country of origin… I’m travelling to Germany next year and plan to buy some photographic equipment.
Hi Luigi,
The VAT refund agencies do not share your shopping information with your Customs people. I don’t know where your country of origin is, but say in the case of Australia, we have to sign an incoming declaration that we’re not carrying goods above the permissible limit. If it’s above the limit, then we have to pay import duties on the excess. There are penalties for making false declarations.
Regards,
Helen
Thank you Helen, much appreciated!
😊