Content

• Steps
• Warnings
• Tips

To encourage foreign tourists to shop in Thailand, the government has introduced a VAT Refund on purchases. You can return, no less than 7% of what you spent in the Kingdom. If you have stayed in Thailand for less than 180 days and are returning home with your hands full of all kinds of souvenirs, then you can count on being able to issue a VAT refund at any international airport. Agree, it's nice to first spend your hard earned money, and then get it back. So what does it take?

Steps

1. 1 Look for stores that say “VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS”. As a rule, such an inscription is on all major stores in Thailand.
2. 2 Check with your retailer for VAT Refund forms. This is often done in special departments such as Customer Service (customer service), not directly at the checkout.
3. 3 Make purchases totaling at least 5,000 baht. It is not necessary for all of these purchases to be made in the same store, but at least 2,000 baht worth of goods must be purchased in each of the stores, and the total amount of checks must be more than 5,000 baht. Only in this case you will be able to receive VAT Refund upon leaving the country.
4. 4Save all receipts and VAT refund forms.
5. 5 On the day of departure before check-in and baggage drop-off Visit the VAT Refund office at the international airport and stamp all issued checks with the customs officer. No payment will be made without a stamp. The customs officer may require you to show him the goods exported from Thailand and appear on the checks. This necessarily applies to any product in excess of 8,000-10,000 baht and at the discretion for other products.
6. 6After receiving the stamp on the checks, check in and check in your belongings.
7. 7 In the departure area and Duty Free shops, proceed to the special counters with the inscription VAT Refund. There you will be directly refunded the VAT amount.
   • If the refund amount does not exceed 10,000 baht, then you can receive it in cash (in baht), check or transfer to your credit card.
   • If the refund amount exceeds 10,000 baht, then the refund will be made by check or transfer to your credit card.
8. 8 To apply for VAT Refund, submit the following documents:
   • the passport;
   • VAT refund application;
   • original receipt confirming the payment of VAT;
   • receipt (passport) for goods.
9. 9 Pay the fee for processing and processing documents and checks. This is a fixed amount of 100 Baht - it will be deducted from the total amount due to be refunded. If you are requesting a refund by check or credit card transfer, you will also have to pay separately:
   • when returned by check - a commission at the rate charged by the bank and duties on postage;
   • when returning to the card - a commission for transferring money at the rates of the bank.

Warnings

• VAT refund is made if the following conditions are met:
  • The applicant must not be a resident of Thailand and must stay in the territory for less than 180 days in the current year.
  • The applicant must not be a pilot or crew member on a flight from Thailand.
  • No more than 60 days should elapse from the date of purchase.
  • The applicant must leave Thailand via the international airport.
• The following items are prohibited for export from Thailand:
  • corals in their raw form, precious stones in their raw or rimless form (allowed only in the form of souvenirs or jewelry);
  • items made of ivory, as well as leather and bones of protected felines (tigers, leopards, leopards);
  • images of Buddha (except for body medallions and statuettes up to 13 cm high) and Bodhisattvas, as well as their fragments; begging bowls. An exception is made only for travelers who leave for cultural exchange or take out images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas for research purposes;
  • narcotic substances;
  • counterfeit money;
  • materials of erotic and pornographic content;
  • whole fruit durian (sliced ​​and packaged or dried - allowed), coconuts, watermelons;
  • earth and sand (including in plant pots);
  • stuffed and processed crocodile skin (in the form of finished products - allowed);
  • live turtles, turtle shell products;
  • seahorses (can be found on sale in dried form);
  • gold bars, platinum jewelry;
  • stamps;
  • fake royal seals, official seals;
  • items depicting the national flag of Thailand.
• Goods for which you also cannot claim VAT refunds:
• firearms, explosives or any similar item;
• gems.

Tips

• If you have any further questions about VAT refunds, please contact the VAT Refund Office at Bangkok International Airport (tel. 02-535 6576-79) or the Revenue Department (VAT Refunds for the Tourist Office) (tel. 02-27 278 9387- 8 or 02-272 8195-8).
• More information can be found on the Department of Revenue website: http://www.rd.go.th/vrt/engindex.html