Many go to Finland to enjoy the harsh nature and ecology, others are attracted by a measured lifestyle, and still others just go for good quality products and manufactured goods. Do you know that part of the money spent (10-16% of the total amount) can be returned without any "damage to health"? Not? So, keep in mind: Tax Free return in Finland can be issued very simply, quickly and without any problems. You just have to adhere to certain rules for transporting goods across the border.
Tourists in Finland have the opportunity to purchase products and industrial goods without VAT (value added tax) in two ways:
- Checks Tax Free;
- on the Invoice system.
On a note! This applies exclusively to individuals from countries outside the EU. For EU citizens, other rules apply.
What are Tax free and Invoice
"Tax Free" and "Invoice" are the world's largest duty-free systems, the essence of which is the elementary return of the tax (value added) that you have already paid in the store. But when leaving Finland or other EU countries and exporting goods from them (always in sealed form), you thereby confirm your intention to use them outside the EU. For these reasons, according to the laws, you do not have to pay VAT, here it is returned to you in cash at your very first request. Great, justice restored!
How to understand that a store is part of a tax-free trading system
How to return the money spent using the Tax Free system in Finland? Most likely, you are unlikely to miss stores that sell products and goods, issuing checks "Tax Free." After all, all such retail spaces are equipped with signs and flags with the inscriptions Tax Free Shopping, as well as international Global Blue logos (formerly Global Refund).
On a note! If suddenly you do not see any emblems on the windows or at the entrance, you can check with the seller (or cashier) whether the store is a member of the duty-free system (for foreign tourists).
The size of payments on this system
So, you set out to use the Tax Free system in Finland. How much money can be returned? The question, of course, is interesting. The fact is that in the same country the value added tax on food and industrial goods is not the same, therefore the amounts returned by the duty-free system will also be different: it all depends on the group to which the purchases belong.
Important! In the check received at the store, you will be very pleased with the following VAT figures: for products - 17%, and for manufactured goods - 22%. But do not rejoice ahead of time: this is not the percentage that you can really hope for. Keep in mind that the amount of refund is equal to the total amount of VAT already paid minus the service charge. By the way, according to the Invoice system, the tax is returned in full.
On average, the size of Tax Free in Finland for food purchases (that is, food) varies from 10 to 16%; and for industrial goods - from 5 to 10%.
On a note! The more money you invested in the Finnish economy (that is, the more purchases you made), the greater the amount you will be returned back. For example, with a purchase worth more than 30,000 euros, you can expect an 18% return.
The tourist receives money under the VAT refund program either in cash in euros or by bank transfer.
Advice! You can make a preliminary calculation of the amount of money you can get using the Tax Free system: just use the calculator on the Global Blue website.
What are the conditions for returning money?
In order for the overpaid money to return to your pocket again (that is, for the Tax Free system in Finland to work), you must follow these guidelines:
- The minimum amount of purchases on one cashier's check should be 40 euros (the number of things does not matter). This rule applies to both manufactured goods and food.
On a note! If your check (for example, in the amount of 40 euros) includes both clothes and food, then you will not be issued a “Tax Free” payment for sure. Do not even hope. Each group of goods must have its own checks.
- Purchases must be unopened, in bags and with stickers.
- You can issue a refund by “Tax Free” within 90 days from the day of making purchases, that is, during this period they must be removed from the EU.
- Items must be purchased in Finland and exported exclusively in your luggage.
Cases when money is not returned through this system
People who have the right to temporary residence, or those who are allowed to work in the EU, as well as EU residents, are not entitled to rely on the Tax Free system in Finland.
In addition, the VAT refund service is not valid in the following cases:
- If the purchase was delivered by courier.
- The product was purchased online.
For purchased alcohol, books, tobacco products, as well as the provision of services (for example, car service or hairdresser) "Tax Free" also does not apply.
What to do while in a store in Finnish territory
How to issue a "Tax Free" in Finland, being in one of its stores? Choose a product, pay for it and ask for the appropriate check. Not sure how to ask? Just say, "Tax Free." Do not worry - they will understand you. You can, of course, show off your knowledge of a foreign language and say in pure English: Could you give me a tax-free check, please. In most stores, a special stand is reserved for this operation. This is where they will send you, where you will have to show your passport, goods and cash receipt. After checking all the documents presented, your purchases will be carefully packed and a check will be written, which will indicate the amount of return, cost of goods, your surname, name and address. In addition, you will have to fill out a certain form and put a signature.
Important! If you do not want to lose your right to a tax refund, then goods packaged and sealed with a special tape with a receipt attached to it should never be printed out (much less used) while in Finland (or another EU country). Otherwise, the money will not be returned to you. Keep in mind: in this case, the rule is strictly observed.
Those who own a TAX FREE SHOPPING card purchased (by the way, for free) at return points can greatly facilitate and speed up the whole process of filling out the necessary data using it.
Thus, collecting checks from stores (decorated in the manner described above), you calmly travel yourself, and at the end of the trip you get an impressive refund. Great, isn't it?
The procedure for registration of "Tax Free" on the border with Finland
The procedure for returning the previously paid amount:
- Traveling by train Allegro and Leo Tolstoy. The return is carried out by one of the Finnish customs officers. You show purchases, checks, passport.
- Traveling by air. At the airport in Helsinki you present purchases to a Finnish customs officer, he checks them and puts stamps on the checks. And only after this procedure they can be packaged and checked in baggage. And when passport control has already been passed, you can receive money by check (in Finnair and Stockmann stores).
- Traveling on motor ships. In the terminal building (in the port) the money is returned on the presented checks.
On a note! In the event that the point is closed for any reason and it does not work to receive “Tax Free” in Finland, it is necessary to ask the Finnish customs to put stamps on the checks. You can receive funds in St. Petersburg within 90 days (from the date of purchase).
- Traveling by car. At the Torfyanovka checkpoint, funds can be received in a wooden house with the recognizable GLOBAL BLUE TAX FREE logo. In another point - Lingonberry - this can be done in the customs building, as well as in the Raja – Kauppa store.
On a note! If it was not possible to receive funds under the tax refund program during one trip, then it is possible to do it another time at some point of return when crossing the border with Finland.
Finally
The system of duty-free trading, according to experienced travelers, has a lot of undeniable advantages:
- firstly, it saves significant amounts;
- secondly, everything happens quickly, conveniently, without any fuss.