Changes in the VAT refund system for non-EU travellers
26.01.2022Poland has introduced its own electronic TAX FREE system.
If you are not a permanent resident of the European Union, but you visit EU countries, e.g. as a tourist and do your shopping there, you may be affected by the changes in the TAX FREE system.
Thanks to the changes in the Polish system of VAT refund to travellers, all TAX FREE documents are now issued electronically and are automatically forwarded to the Polish border crossing point.
What does it mean for a traveller?
shorter handling time,
faster VAT refund,
electronic access to TAX FREE documents.
ATTENTION:
If you leave the territory of the European Union from a Member State other than Poland, you must have paper TAX FREE documents. They will confirm that the goods have been exported in accordance with the regulations in force in a given country.
We encourage you to watch a short video about changes in TAX FREE system.
The video is subtitled in four languages: Polish, English, Ukrainian and Russian.
You can also read the most important information about the new TAX FREE refund procedure below:
How can you get a tax refund in the TAX FREE system?
1. PURCHASE OF GOODS
You gain the right to a VAT refund when you buy goods for min. 200 PLN in one of the points marked with the TAX FREE logo
2. REGISTRATION OF A TAX FREE DOCUMENT BY THE SELLER
Notify the seller that you want to use TAX FREE and choose the method of tax refund (non-cash, cash) and the form of the TAX FREE document (electronic version sent to your e-mail or printed version)
3. EXPORTING PURCHASES ABROAD
At the border, show your TAX FREE documents (printed or on a mobile device) to the Customs and Tax service officer. After check-in, the TAX FREE system will generate an electronic export confirmation. If your TAX FREE documents were issued in a Member State other than Poland, you must have printed documents with you. Ask for the stamp on them: POLSKA – CŁO
4. VAT REFUND
The VAT refund will be made in cash or non-cash, according to the form of refund chosen by you.
Source of information: https://granica.gov.pl/TaxFree/
