Tax refunds on shopping at the station – but that’s not all

Everything you need to know to get tax refunds on your shopping.

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

Your tax refund made easy!

TGV Lyria makes your tax refund easy with SkipTax.

The SkipTax app allows passengers resident outside the European Union to obtain a VAT refund for purchases made in France. 

     🛍️ 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)

 

 

QRcode skip tax

Scan the Skip Tax QR code or click on this link 

 

 

Create an account:

Download the passport Selfie Enter your bank details for the refund 
tgv lyria business travel icon grey

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 a Pablo kiosk 

Receive your refund within 48 hours

❓Where to find a Pablo kiosk

  • Geneva Cornavin Station, at the exit of tracks 6 and 7

  • Geneva Road, 01206 Ferney-Voltaire, Border Post

  • Saint-Julien, 74163 Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Border Post

  • Vallard–Thonex Motorway Platform, A411, 74240 Gaillard, Border Post

  • Geneva International Airport, 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex, French customs tax refund desk

  • Basel–Mulhouse Airport, 68300 Saint-Louis, Passenger area, level 3, cross-border point


*Note : Only named invoices are accepted for your refund to be processed.


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.


Did you not get a customs visa for reasons related to the organisation of customs (train journey without stopping at a customs post)?

You can make an appointment at one of the two French Consulates General in Switzerland: in Geneva for those who live in a Romance-speaking canton (Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud) or at the Consulate General in Zurich.

This procedure must be carried out within six months of the date of purchase. A fee will be charged for this administrative procedure.

For more information, please consult https://zurich.consulfrance.org/Detaxe-de-marchandises and https://geneve.consulfrance.org/Detaxe-des-achats-realises-en-France-pour-les-personnes-residant-en-Suisse


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