Owais Crawford
When travelling, it's important to know your rights and entitlements, especially when it comes to refunds for purchased airline tickets or related services, and tax refunds for goods purchased in a foreign country. This introduction will focus on the latter. Tax refunds are often available at international airports for tourists who have purchased goods in the country and are taking them back to their home country. This is an incentive for tourists to shop and promote tourism in the country. The process usually involves submitting a form, providing receipts, and sometimes showing the goods to customs agents. The refund can then be collected in cash, sent to an e-wallet, or put back on the bank card used for the purchase.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for refund | Cancelled flight, schedule change/significant delay, downgraded class of service, optional service not provided, lost baggage |
| Who issues the refund | Airline |
| Who is eligible for a refund | Consumers, passengers |
| Where to get a refund | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Melbourne Airport |
| Type of refund | Ticket price, associated fees, VAT refund, tourist refund |
| Requirements for VAT refund | Invoices, receipts, special certificate ("bordereau de vente" or BVE), original tax invoices |
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What You'll Learn
Tax refunds for non-EU visitors to France
If you are a non-EU visitor to France, you may be eligible for a tax refund on your purchases. This is because non-EU residents are not required to pay VAT (Value-Added Tax) on their purchases. Here is a guide to help you understand the tax refund process and claim your tax refund at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Eligibility for Tax Refunds
To be eligible for a tax refund, you must be a resident of a non-EU country, such as the United Kingdom. You must also meet certain requirements during your stay in France, including:
- Being at least 16 years old
- Visiting France for less than six months
- Making purchases of a touristic nature within a maximum of three days
- Spending a minimum amount, typically €100, on your purchases
Understanding the Tax Refund Process
The tax refund process can vary, but here are some common steps:
- Request a special certificate, such as a "bordereau de vente" or BVE, from the seller at the time of purchase.
- Obtain the necessary documents, such as invoices and receipts, from the retailer.
- Present your passport to the retailer to prove your non-resident status.
- Some retailers may offer to handle the tax refund process for you.
Claiming Your Tax Refund at CDG Airport
When claiming your tax refund at CDG Airport, you have several options:
- Tax Refund Kiosks: Head to the Détaxe area in your departure terminal before checking in. Look for the PABLO détaxe Tax refund self-service kiosks and scan the barcode on your digital form or traditional paper tax refund forms.
- PABLO Machine: The PABLO machine is a popular method for tax refunds. You can find these machines in each terminal at CDG Airport.
- Cash Paris Offices: These spots allow you to collect your tax refund in cash, euros, or have it sent to your electronic wallet or bank card.
- Digital App: You can use a digital app like Wevat, which offers benefits such as a higher refund percentage and a lower minimum spending requirement.
Remember to keep your shopping, invoices, and receipts easily accessible, as French Customs agents may request to inspect them. Additionally, it is recommended to complete the tax refund process before checking in your baggage.
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Ticket refunds for cancelled or delayed flights
Consumers are entitled to a refund on their ticket price and/or associated fees in certain situations. If an airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel or accept alternative transportation or travel credits, they are entitled to a refund. Similarly, if an airline significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel, they are entitled to a refund. It is important to note that the DOT has not provided a specific definition of "significant delay", and each case is evaluated individually based on factors such as the length of the delay, flight duration, and traveller circumstances.
In the case of schedule changes, consumers are entitled to a refund if the airline makes significant changes to the itinerary, such as departure or arrival times differing by more than three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights, an increase in the number of connections, or a change in the departure or arrival airport. If a consumer is involuntarily downgraded to a lower class of service, they are entitled to a refund for the difference in fares. Additionally, consumers who purchase fully refundable tickets are entitled to a refund if they do not use their ticket.
Optional service fees, such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi, are also refundable if the consumer could not use the service due to flight cancellation, delay, schedule change, or involuntary denial of boarding. Consumers are advised to notify the airline if a paid service is non-functional or unavailable to increase their chances of receiving a refund. Baggage fees are refundable if the airline declares the baggage lost.
While airlines are not obligated to refund non-refundable tickets, they have the discretion to do so or offer travel vouchers or credits. Airlines must honour any promises made and may voluntarily provide passengers with accommodations or benefits beyond what is required. The Biden-Harris Administration has prioritised expanding airline passenger rights, and since President Biden took office, the DOT has facilitated over $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements to airline passengers.
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Baggage fee refunds for lost luggage
Losing your luggage can be a stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Here is a guide to help you understand your rights and the process for claiming baggage fee refunds for lost luggage.
Understanding Your Rights
According to the US Department of Transportation, passengers are entitled to a refund of any baggage fees paid if their luggage is lost. This applies to both domestic and international travel, although the liability limits vary between the two. For domestic flights, the maximum liability amount allowed by regulation is $4,700 per passenger. For international flights covered by the Montreal Convention, the maximum baggage liability is currently approximately $1,700 per passenger.
It is important to note that airlines may have different policies regarding when a bag is officially lost. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can depend on factors such as the itinerary, the airline's searching mechanism, and other circumstances.
Filing a Claim
If your luggage is lost, it is important to take immediate action. Report the loss to your airline's baggage department as soon as possible. You should also stay in close communication with the airline during the baggage location process.
When your bag is deemed lost, you will need to submit a lost luggage compensation claim. Provide a detailed list of your lost items, their value, and any available receipts, including the cost of your bag, its contents, and any checked baggage fees you paid. If you don't have receipts for all items, it is still recommended to include them in your claim along with an estimated value. Credit card charges or receipts for similar past purchases can also serve as proof of ownership.
Reimbursement for Necessary Expenses
In addition to the baggage fee refund, you may be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred while you are without your luggage. This could include items such as toiletries or clothing that you need to purchase immediately. Be sure to keep receipts for these expenses, as you will need to provide them to the airline for reimbursement.
Variations in Airline Policies
It is important to review your airline's contract of carriage for specific details regarding delayed baggage compensation policies, claim steps, and exclusions. Airlines are not required to provide refunds for non-refundable tickets, but they may do so or offer other accommodations. Some items, such as fragile items and cash, may be excluded from coverage, so it is always best to carry valuable or fragile items with you onto the plane.
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VAT refunds for tourists at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
VAT refunds are available for tourists at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The airport's customs desks are located before the main part of the airport, in the departures area. To be eligible for a VAT refund, tourists must be travelling outside of the EU and must not use the purchased goods within the country.
There are two main ways to get a tax refund at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: the traditional in-store paper method, or a digital app like Wevat. The Wevat app offers 23% more money back compared to the in-store method, and only requires a total spend of €100 across all purchases, rather than €100 per store.
To get your VAT refund, first ensure that you have your invoices and shopping together, as French Customs may ask to see these at the airport. Then, head to the Détaxe area in your departure terminal before checking in your baggage. Find the PABLO Détaxe Tax refund self-service kiosks, and scan the barcode on your digital form in the Wevat app. Alternatively, if you have a paper tax refund form, scan the barcode at a PABLO barcode reader. After receiving customs approval, take a picture of the screen for your records.
If you are using the paper method, you will need to request a VAT refund form or tax-free shopping form from the retailer. Complete the form with your contact information and other accurate details. Then, before checking in for your departure flight, go to the customs desk or designated tax refund point within the airport. Present your purchased items, receipts, and passport. Customs authorities may inspect your items to verify that they are leaving the country with you.
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Tourist Refund Schemes in Australia
Australia's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is a way for outbound travellers to claim a refund on goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) paid on eligible goods in Australia. The scheme applies to both temporary visitors and Australian citizens departing on holidays.
To be eligible for a TRS refund, the purchase must meet certain criteria. The total purchase must be AUD 300 or more, and it must have been made no more than 60 days before the date of departure from Australia. The goods must be presented for inspection to Australian Border Force personnel, along with a boarding pass and the original hard-copy tax invoice. Online purchases from Australian retailers are also eligible, but a printed copy of the invoice must be presented at the TRS counter.
The TRS counter can be found at the port of departure, and it is recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before flight departure to allow sufficient time for the claim to be completed. The Australian Government has also developed a Tourist Refund Scheme Application that allows travellers to enter information required for the claim before arriving at the TRS counter. This generates a QR code, which can be scanned by an officer at the TRS facility.
It is important to note that refunds are typically not provided for non-refundable tickets, but airlines may offer credits or travel vouchers for future use.
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Frequently asked questions
A refund is when you get your money back after purchasing a good or service.
Yes, you may be eligible for a tax refund on your purchases at the airport. For example, if you are travelling through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and are from outside Europe, you are eligible for a refund of the VAT (value-added tax) on your purchases.
There are two ways to get a tax refund at CDG Airport: using a traditional in-store paper method, or a digital app like Wevat. If using the app, you will need to scan the barcode on your digital form in the Wevat app and wait for customs approval. If using the traditional method, you will need to scan the barcodes on your paper tax refund forms and mail them to the designated refund mailbox.
You may be entitled to a refund of the ticket price and/or associated fees if your flight was cancelled, significantly delayed or changed, or if you were involuntarily moved to a lower class of service. You may also be entitled to a refund of optional service fees if you were unable to use the service due to a flight cancellation, delay, schedule change, or involuntary denied boarding.
The Tourist Refund Scheme is a service located just after passport control in Terminal 2 of Melbourne Airport. It allows tourists to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that they paid on certain goods purchased in Australia.
