Shopping in Thailand? Here's how you can claim VAT refund at airports before you fly home

Thailand's bustling markets and glossy malls often tempt travellers to fill their shopping bags - whether it's handcrafted souvenirs or the latest tech gadgets.

What many visitors, including Indians, don't realise is that they can also get some of their money back on these purchases before flying home.

Now, you can claim a refund of the value-added tax (VAT) paid on shopping at Thai international airports. This scheme is only for non-Thai citizens. Under Thailand's VAT Refund for Tourists scheme, international tourists can claim a refund on the VAT paid in the country.

Here's how to claim a VAT refund.

Who is eligible?

Tourists, not permanent residents of Thailand or part of any airline crew departing from Thailand, are eligible for VAT refund. In addition to this, claimants must depart from an international airport and carry the purchased goods out of the country within 60 days of the purchase date.

Is there a minimum spend?

The VAT refund is applicable only if a tourist spends at least 2,000 Thai baht (around ₹5,800) per day.

How to get a VAT refund?

Shop at only those stores that display the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign and keep the original tax invoices safely. Always carry your passport with you during shopping.

At the time of purchase, travellers must request the VAT refund form, also known as the P.P.10 form, from the shop. The form, along with the original tax invoice, must match the details on your passport.

After clearing immigration, head to the VAT Refund Office located in the departure area to submit their P.P.10 forms, receipt and passport for final verification. The customs officer will stamp your form to verify the goods.

How much refund will you get?

If your purchase value is between 2,000 and 2,499 baht (roughly ₹5,800–₹7,300), you will get a VAT refund of 80 baht, which is about ₹230.

If your total purchase value exceeds 200,000 baht (around ₹5.8 lakh), the VAT refund is calculated at 6.1% of your total purchase amount.

For example, on a purchase worth 200,000 baht, the refund would be around 12,200 baht, which is approximately ₹35,300.

What happens in case of luxury goods?

Certain high-value items are treated as luxury goods under Thailand's VAT refund rules. These include jewellery, gold ornaments, watches, spectacles, pens, mobile phones, laptops or tablets, handbags and belts that are valued at 40,000 baht or more per item, roughly ₹11.6 lakh.

For these luxury items, the VAT refund process involves two separate checks. You must first declare the items at the Customs Inspection Office before checking in your luggage at the airport. The items may be physically inspected to confirm they are being taken out of Thailand.

After clearing immigration, you are then required to declare the same items again at the VAT Refund for Tourists office in the departure area for final verification.

How you get refund

If your VAT refund amount is below 30,000 Thai baht (around ₹87,000), you can choose to receive the refund in cash (Thai baht) or have it credited to your digital wallet, depending on the option available at the airport.

If the refund amount exceeds 30,000 baht, you can opt to receive the money either through a credit card refund or a bank draft in four currencies such as US dollar, euro, sterling and yen.

In cases where the total value of your purchases is less than 20,000 baht (around ₹58,000), you are exempt from airport customs procedures.

Instead, you can claim your VAT refund by emailing the Revenue Department of Thailand directly, along with the required documents such as invoices and passport details.