However, many visitors, including those from India, may not be aware that they can reclaim a portion of their spending before heading home.
Now, travellers can request a refund on the value-added tax (VAT) paid while shopping at Thai international airports. This scheme is exclusively for non-Thai citizens. Through Thailand’s VAT Refund for Tourists program, international tourists can reclaim VAT paid within the country.
Here’s how to secure a VAT refund.
Who qualifies?
Only tourists who are not permanent residents of Thailand or associated with any airline crew leaving the country can apply for a VAT refund. Additionally, claimants must depart from an international airport and take the purchased items out of Thailand within 60 days of buying them.
Is there a minimum purchase requirement?
The VAT refund is only available if a tourist spends a minimum of 2,000 Thai baht (approximately ₹5,800) each day.
How can you receive a VAT refund?
Shop only at retailers that display the “VAT Refund for Tourists” sign and keep your original tax invoices in a safe place. Always have your passport with you while shopping.
When making a purchase, be sure to request the VAT refund form, known as the P.P.10 form, from the store. This form must correspond with the original tax invoice and your passport details.
Once you pass through immigration, visit the VAT Refund Office located in the departure area to submit your P.P.10 forms, receipts, and passport for final verification. A customs officer will stamp your form to confirm the goods.
What refund amount can you expect?
If your purchase amount is between 2,000 and 2,499 baht (around ₹5,800–₹7,300), you will receive a VAT refund of 80 baht, approximately ₹230.
If your total spending exceeds 200,000 baht (about ₹5.8 lakh), the VAT refund will be calculated at 6.1% of your total purchase price.
For instance, on a purchase worth 200,000 baht, the refund would be around 12,200 baht, equivalent to approximately ₹35,300.
What about luxury items?
For these luxury items, the VAT refund procedure involves two different checks. You must first declare the items at the Customs Inspection Office before checking in your luggage at the airport. These items might be physically inspected to ensure they are being exported from Thailand.
After passing through immigration, you will need to declare the same items again at the VAT Refund for Tourists office in the departure area for final verification.
How do you receive your refund?
If your VAT refund is less than 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 options available at the airport.
If the refund exceeds 30,000 baht, you can opt to receive the money either as a credit card refund or a bank draft in one of four currencies: US dollar, euro, sterling, or yen.
If your total purchases are below 20,000 baht (around ₹58,000), you are exempt from airport customs procedures.
Instead, you can claim your VAT refund by directly emailing the Revenue Department of Thailand, along with the necessary documentation such as invoices and passport details.
