Who can claim VAT refunds?

A VAT refund can be claimed by any non-Thai visitor who has not been in Thailand for more than 180 days in calendar year, and who is not a crew member of an airline; and departs Thailand by air carrier from an international airport.

How to claim a VAT refund

1. VAT refund only applies to goods taken out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase.

2. The goods must be purchased from stores displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS' sign.

3. On any day, goods purchased at a participating sore must not be less than 2,000 Baht and the total amount of goods purchased, including VAT, must not be less than 5,000 Baht.

4. At each store ask the sales assistant to complete 2 VAT refund forms (P.P. 10) and attach the original tax invoice to the forms.

5. Before departure, present your purchases to Customs and Revenue officers for inspection in order to obtain VAT refund at the departure lounge after check-in and passport control.

6. In case the VAT refund exceeds 10, 000 Baht, you can either present your claim to the Customs and Revenue officers at the VAT Revenue Office or drop it in the box at the Refund Counter or mail it from your home back to the Revenue Department of Thailand.

The VAT refund offices are located at:

Bangkok Airport Tel: 02-5356576-9

Chiangmai Airport Tel: 053-922207

Phuket Airport Tel: 076-328267

Hat Yai Airport Tel: 074-250400

How will the refund be paid?

You can choose to receive your refund by: Refund amount not exceeding 10,000 Baht, receive cash in Thai Baht, draft or credit to credit card account. Refund amount exceeding 10,000 Baht, receive refund in draft, or credit to credit card account.

The following fees apply to refund requests:

For cash refund, a fee of 100 Baht. For draft refund, a fee of 100 Baht plus draft issuing fee at the rate charged by Baht and postage fees. For credit to credit card account refund, a fee of 100 Baht plus money transfer fee at the rate charged by banks.

Shopping Advice

To help make shopping a happy experience, especially in purchasing jeweler, here is some useful advice:
1. Disregard all strangers, offers of free assistance or services, especially when purchasing jeweler, pr you might find out later that you made your purchase at relatively much higher prices because shop owners have to pay a 10-30% commission to agents why attracts customers to their shops: these are added to the jewelers prices.

2. Make your purchases just to satisfy yourself, your relatives or friends. Do not expect to gain profit from the goods because jeweler prices can change without warning.

3. Compare and negotiate the price of jeweler of the same type and size in several different shops before making a decision to buy so as to be assumed of possessing the goods at fair and reasonable prices.

4. Please be informed that any claim made by the shop owners that the purchase can be refunded at Thai embassies consulates, or other government agencies abroad is not true of practical.

5. Make sure that all documents such as receipt, quality certificate and your customer slip. (If paid y credit card contain all negotiated data, including the prices in Thai or foreign currencies, name and address of the shop, which will be beneficial, should any problem emerge late.

6. In general practice for jewelry trade in Thailand, all purchased good cannot be returned. However, in case of o possible refund, 25-30 % of sold price will be deducted as a cost of damage. Some reputable companies am even take back beveller for a full refund, although usually sometime limit, such as 30 days, is placed upon the returprivilege.