What is a tax refund?
If you are not a resident of the destination country, you can benefit from tax refunds on your purchases. In France, this means enjoying savings of up to 20% and in Switzerland, 8.1% – so it’s a great way to get some retail therapy while reducing the bill.
👉 Important: only customs officials are authorised to validate your tax refund slips, be that manually or electronically. On-board personnel are not authorised to do so. Thank you for your understanding.
Signing up couldn’t be easier 👉 Fast sign up - SkipTax - France's N°1 digital tax refund
Tax refunds for your shopping in France.
Tax refunds are available to non-residents of the European Union who spend more than €100 in the same shop, on the same day.
How does it work?
➔ Ask for a tax refund slip (bordereau de vente à l’exportation) at the cash desk.
➔ Before leaving the European Union, present your purchases (in their original packaging) and the tax refund slip to customs to get a stamp (before the end of the third month following purchase).
➔ If you get a manual stamp, send the form to the retailer. If you get an electronic stamp, there’s no need to send any forms!
➔ Finally, declare your purchases when you arrive in your country of residence.
This information is for guidance purposes only. If you have any questions, please visit: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/la-detaxe-en-france-pour-les-touristes-pablo
Tax refunds on shopping in Switzerland.
Tax refunds are available to non-residents of Switzerland who spend more than CHF 300 in the same shop, on the same day.
How does it work?
➔ Ask for a tax free form signed by the retailer.
➔ Have this form stamped by Swiss customs.
➔ If you weren’t able to get a stamp, you can get one by visiting a Swiss embassy or consulate with your items, proof of purchase, proof of entry into/exit from Switzerland and your ID.
That’s how easy it is to save when you shop! 🎁
This information is for guidance purposes only. If you have any questions, please visit: https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/en/home/value-added-tax/vat-specialist-information/vat-vatefund-taxfree/vat-tax-free.html
Your tax refund made easy!
TGV Lyria makes your tax refund easy with SkipTax.
The SkipTax app allows passengers resident outside the European Union who are arriving in Geneva to obtain a VAT refund for purchases made in France. At Geneva Cornavin station, the kiosks are located at French customs, at the exit to platforms 7 and 8.
🛍️ You’ll have more options for shopping in duty-free mode
- 🏷️ Equivalent to 16% off your purchases in France (and +5% for your first transaction)
- 👍 Simpler rules for VAT refunds: just spend €100 or more to get your tax back.
- 🏬 Purchases in all shops are eligible, not just those that issue a tax refund slip
🪙 Low fees: at least 80% of VAT is refunded
⏱ It’s quicker…
- ⏳ No need to wait for shops to issue a tax refund slip and check your passport
🕗 Refund within 48 hours of validation by customs
🔒.…and more secure!
- 📱 App approved by French customs
- 📅 Multilingual customer service available 7 days a week
Scan, shop, refund!
16% off your shopping in France
(+5% for your first transaction)
Shop in-store and upload invoices issued in your name / and Skip Tax (not receipts) to the SkipTax app.*
Generate a barcode and validate it at the Pablo kiosk at Geneva station*
Receive your refund within 48 hours
- Note : Only named invoices are accepted for your refund to be processed.
*Kiosk located at the French customs post, at the exit of platforms 7 and 8.