Tax free shopping and VAT refund
As a foreign visitor you are entitled to claim back the tax you pay on your purchases when you take them home. The easy and safe way to reclaim your tax is with Global Refund, the worlds leading tax refund company, represented in 37 countries around the world and with more than 230,000 affiliated stores.
Who can shop tax free in the European Union?
Everyone who is a non-EU resident.
In Holland
- The VAT, 19%, of the net purchase price amounts to 15,97% of the purchase price. Your refund is the percentage of the purchase price minus an administration fee.
- Your total purchases (VAT included) must exceed EUR 50 in one store in one day.
- Your Global Refund Cheque must be stamped by customs at het last country leaving the EU within 3 months after month of purchase.
3 EASY STEPS TO CLAIMING YOUR REFUND
- In the store
Shop where you see the Global Refund TAX FREE SHOPPING, and spend more than EUR 50 in one stroe in one day and simply ask for your Global Refund Cheque. - Through customs
When leaving a country or the European Union, show your purchases, receipts and passport to customs officials and have your Global Refund cheques stamped. Customs personnel are well informed of the Global Refund system.
Attention: At airports, please go to customs with your purchases before you check in. - Collect your refund
You have several choices:
- Immediate control & cash at our nearby Cash Refund Office.
At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, please visit our Cash Refund Offices in departure hall 3 (on land and airside) As from the 1st of September you can also visit our Cash Refund Office at the ABN AMRO Bank in lounge 2 (on air side). In addition to refunds on customs stamped Global Refund Cheques, we will now offer the opportunity to provide refunds on non stamped Cheques for goods carried in hand luggage.- Credited to your chosen creditcard;
- Credited to your Dutch bank account;
- A bank cheque sent to a chosen address.
Attention for hand luggage:
For valuable goods such as laptops, cameras and jewellery, control and refund can only be done at our airside counters.
The opening times of the Cash Refund offices are 08.00 – 19.30 hours, 7 days a week.
The Customs Offices, situated on the D-concourse (nearby the shop) and departure hall 2, are open from 06:00 to 22:00 hours. It is nevertheless possible to get a stamp when the offices are closed. All you have to do is call: +31 (0)20 - 316 4735.
For further information
If you have any questions about the refund of VAT you can also call the Customs Office at Schiphol: +31 (0)20 - 316 4700 or Global Refund +31 (0)23- 5241909.
Please find below the listing with all shops at Schiphol Plaza offering the Global Refund system:
Shirley's Schiphol 020-6535163
Gassan Schiphol 020-4059951
