FarangBuddha Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I recently traveled out and back to Thailand and while at the airport, I spied a brochure pertaining to the procedures for claiming your VAT refunds for goods purchased in Thailand. I picked it up for my own benefit and post the information here so as to inform others. there is often confusion surrounding this whole matter so hopefully this will be helpful. This is "official" information from the brochure entitled "Get you VAT Refund" published by The Revenue Department of Thailand (www.rd.go.th/vrt). Who Qualifies: Any non-Thai visitor who is not an airline crew member and departs Thailand by air from an international airport. (These are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao, Hat Yai, and Phuket) How to Shop and Get Your Refund: 1. Shop must display the "VAT Refund For Tourists" sign. 2. Total purchases must be at least B5000 per person (VAT included). [Not sure what they mean, if a family of 4 is traveling together, do they need at least B20,000 in purchases to qualify for refunds or if only one person in the group is claiming a refund on an item, he/she must have made at least B5000 in purchases during the trip?] 3. Spend minimum of B2000 (VAT included) per store per day. 4. Show passport and complete VAT Refund Application at the store on the date of purchase. 5. Attached the ORIGINAL TAX INVOICE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I saw a lot of people getting VAT Refunds at Swampy, mostly Indians, and there were about 20 of them, shouting at the girls behind the counters as they were gonna be late for their flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundman Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Moved to Airport forum & pinned in top section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worldfun Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Many shops/retail groups like Central have free membership cards for foreigners allowing tax free purchases on the spot (7% off regular prices) & thus a more hassle free way to avoid Thai VAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarangBuddha Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 True...but if you are a tourist or a resident who can take advantage of the refund, it would be cumulative. So the discount would be 14%...unless the member card discount is in lieu of the VAT refund scheme. worldfun said: Many shops/retail groups like Central have free membership cards for foreigners allowing tax free purchases on the spot (7% off regular prices) & thus a more hassle free way to avoid Thai VAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDNinKS Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Have done this......pretty painless. Basically a 2 step process at the airport. As stated you need to have the goods inspected and your VAT form stamped before going thru immigation. Yes, you need to leave the Original Sales receipt with the refund office, so if you need a copy make one before hand. The refund office is in the departures hall (where all the shops are), actually I think there may be at least 2 of them, the one I used was after a left turn leaving the immigration hall and security on my way to the gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xminator Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 How much time should be set aside for this process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdechgan Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 It is very important to do the VAT refund process especially yher customs inspection before checking in because they will need to see the goods. If the goods are checked in the baggage and they ask to see the goods you can't get your bags back. Also a VAT refund slip/invoice is a must. Can't just be a sales receipt but a VAT refund invoice which has to be asked for usually in customer service counters at bigger stores that have VAT refund available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deelectro Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 There was mention elsewhere of having to have been in the country less than 180 days total in a claendar year. Did anyone notice if they checked your arrival/ departure stamp dates that closely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 i saw a Vat refund sign on a bed for sale in Robinsons once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bprinceuk Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 If here on a retirement yearly extension are you allowed to claim VAT back ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbymd Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 I just recently went thought this process and it took all of 2 minutes. I bought a computer and had the forms filled out by the sales clerk at the computer store, all ready to go upon arrival at the airport. I was not asked to show what I bought. There is a 100 baht "administration" fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdimension Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 How strict are they with the 60 day rule? How strict are they with needing to show the goods? Would they refuse to refund if you said that you packed them in the checked-in luggage? Some goods are too large to carry, like that bed that Donnyboy mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAM8 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Does this just apply to goods or can you claim for things like accommodation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New007 Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Does anyone know if you get a tax return if you buy a notebook from APPLE Store Thailand? I'm thinking about getting one before leaving in April. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axel2001 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 How strict are they with the 60 day rule? I've got the same question. If I am leaving Thailand on 60th day, can I get Vat Refund? For example I've bought notebook on 27 Jan and want to go abroad on 27 March, will I get Vat Refund in this case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FRM-BKK Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 How strict are they with the 60 day rule? I've got the same question. If I am leaving Thailand on 60th day, can I get Vat Refund? For example I've bought notebook on 27 Jan and want to go abroad on 27 March, will I get Vat Refund in this case? They are very strict on the 60 day rule. I bought a watch and was under the (wrong) impression that the time limit was 90 days. When I made the cliam at the airport, I was 1 (one) day overdue; NO VAT refund. This happened 8 months ago. Frm-Bkk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdimension Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 What do you guys think of the new rounding-down policy?: Notification Regarding the New VAT Refund for Tourist Processing Fees Effective September 1st,2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hegenious Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 On 26/10/2013 at 1:30 AM, hyperdimension said: What do you guys think of the new rounding-down policy?: Notification Regarding the New VAT Refund for Tourist Processing Fees Effective September 1st,2013 Well, I don't like it. Before the new policy, you'd get the total of said VAT refunded, which amounted to 7% of the purchase price. I for one was not aware of this new policy when I purchased a laptop last week in Pantip Plaza, and had an unpleasant surprise: Total Payment = 29000 Baht Total VAT = 1956.07 Baht Total VAT Refundable = 1500 Baht Now I wonder whether the 100 Baht fee still apllies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reinsge Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Anybody has experience claiming VAT refund while on another visa than tourist or visa exemption stamp? I got an ED at the moment and will spend 2 weeks at home over christmas, can I reclaim VAT or not? For the others: Did they check your tourist visa and stuff or only the vat refund form and a look at the product? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martina65 Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 They only give you 5% back - extra fees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmeen Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 On 29/04/2014 at 9:58 PM, hegenious said: On 26/10/2013 at 1:30 AM, hyperdimension said: What do you guys think of the new rounding-down policy?: Notification Regarding the New VAT Refund for Tourist Processing Fees Effective September 1st,2013 Well, I don't like it. Before the new policy, you'd get the total of said VAT refunded, which amounted to 7% of the purchase price. I for one was not aware of this new policy when I purchased a laptop last week in Pantip Plaza, and had an unpleasant surprise: Total Payment = 29000 Baht Total VAT = 1956.07 Baht Total VAT Refundable = 1500 Baht Now I wonder whether the 100 Baht fee still apllies? That explains my recent go at it..... I thought I'd been short changed but as I shouldn't qualify I didn't query it despite noticing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScouse Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I am here on a retirement extension. Can I claim VAT refund when I leave Bangkok next month? Just bought a laptop,Will be taking it with me and have required forms. Only about 1700 baht tax to reclaim if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stament Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 So is the amount reclaimable now only 5% not 7%. Any charges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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