Today, a huge number of people go on trips to nearby foreign countries. It is enough to make a foreign passport, apply for an inexpensive Schengen visa and you can travel throughout Europe. As a rule, residents of St. Petersburg prefer Finland. Usually during trips a lot of purchases are made. Some even go abroad to buy food, clothes and much more.
Part of the amount paid for purchases that were made outside the Russian Federation can be returned. This is the so-called tax-free return. In St. Petersburg or on the border with Finland, you can get part of the money from purchases, but there are certain conditions that must be observed. Let's look at the reviews of tourists who use this service, and the features of the procedure.
general information
Tax is included in the cost of each product, but only citizens of the country where this or that product is sold must pay it. A foreigner is not required to pay VAT of the state in which he is located during a tourist trip. Tax free can be compared with the added value in Russia. The same system operates in England, France, Spain and many other countries.
However, one must understand that a person may not be able to give out added value if he spent more time in the country and actually lived in it. For example, if you go on a trip to Europe for 90 days, then upon returning you will not receive tax-free. The same applies to those citizens who have a residence permit.
Getting Tax Free in St. Petersburg
In order to return the paid tax, it is necessary to make purchases exclusively in those stores that have the sign Tax-free global refund shopping. In this case, the purchase should cost at least 40 euros. You can not summarize manufactured goods and food.
In some stores, all purchased goods are indicated in one check. In this case, it is most convenient to travel in a group so that you can combine the accounts of all partners, receive a larger check and, accordingly, the subsequent payment. After the buyer receives the relevant check, he presents it at the border of the country in which he was located.
As a rule, if we are talking about the return of tax-free in St. Petersburg, this means that Russian tourists are arriving from Finland. They do not need to go anywhere, as there is a separate service located at the entrance to the cultural capital. In this case, it is enough to show the check to the passport control officer and receive your “reward”. Additionally, a passport will be required. True, there are other methods of obtaining a value added tax refund.
Global refund
These are special points that are installed at the exits from Finland on the border with St. Petersburg. In this case, tax-free refund is available for those who travel not by train, but by private car or tourist bus. According to user reviews, this is a very convenient service that significantly saves time.
According to the rules, you can return the value added in euros. When applying to the Global Refund, you must present your passport, as well as a receipt and a check. Additionally, you need to confirm the availability of purchases. The item must remain sealed until the traveler receives a tax refund.
Exchange offices operate on the border with Finland without breaks and days off, from 9:00 to 22:00, but only according to Finnish time. However, if you read the numerous reviews, you can find out that a train or bus that leaves from Finland often crosses the border or passes by the nearest cash-out office much later, when all points are already closed.
What to do in this situation?
In this case, everything is very simple. It is necessary to apply for tax-free in St. Petersburg upon arrival in the city. Remember that when you cross the border, employees must put the appropriate stamp on the purchase receipt. This is done by the Finnish customs officer. If you do not put down appropriate marks, then after leaving Finland the documents will be invalid. To get the necessary stamps, it is enough to provide the employee with documents for the goods and your passport. The border guard will either put the stamp on his own or send the tourist to the customs inspector.
Upon arrival in the city you will need to contact the office to receive money. However, it should be borne in mind that the return of tax-free in St. Petersburg is possible in only a few official organizations. Let's consider them in more detail.
Overview of tax free offices and tax refund methods
The central point for the issuance of funds in favor of payment of value added is located at the address: Chapygina, 6 / 2-345. This organization is called Cash Refund. In order to receive a tax-free refund in St. Petersburg, you must contact the company in person. Experienced tourists say that it is better to call the phone number listed on the official website. However, according to reviews, most fans of overseas shopping prefer a different method of receiving payments.
Once the receipt has been stamped at the border, it can be sent by regular mail to Global Refund. When the application is reviewed, the amount will be credited to the tourist’s bank account. A fiscal check and information about the details must be enclosed in the letter. In addition, a copy of a foreign passport and a Finnish visa, which was valid at the time the purchase was made, will be required.
As mentioned earlier, there are only a few tax-free tax return organizations in St. Petersburg. Despite the fact that the network has many offers to return, it is important not to run into scammers. It should be borne in mind that today, in addition to Cash Refund, payments for the return of value added tax are carried out only at Master Bank and Intesa Bank. The first is located at Malaya Sadovaya 4. Intesa Bank can be found on Kuybysheva Street 15.
Tax free dates
First of all, pay attention to the period when the tax-free check will be active - this is the period during which you need to put the appropriate stamp. On average, a tax-free check can be stored for up to three months, but sometimes some countries change the terms up or down.
Customs stamp is valid from two months to unlimited time. The speed of payment depends on the method of receiving tax-free in St. Petersburg. For example, if you arrange the paper directly at the border, then you can get the money immediately. After that, you can exchange euros for rubles or leave them until the next trip.
If you decide to send a receipt by mail to the Global Refund, then remember that it all depends on how the letter was sent. For some, the registration procedure takes a couple of weeks, for others it sometimes takes up to two months.
User reviews and tips
Travelers point out that some products do not imply tax-free payments. For example, the cost of tax is not refundable when purchasing tobacco products, books, and more. It is also worth paying attention to the correctness of the check issued by the seller. It should consist of two parts. In simple terms, in addition to a cash receipt, a sales receipt is also required.
In general, tourists are pleased with the opportunity to partially return the money spent. But, you need to understand that in this case we are not talking about large amounts. On the other hand, why not at least slightly reduce the final purchase price, if required by law?
Finally
Getting tax-free in St. Petersburg should not cause difficulties. But it is best to use the services of border services. In this case, upon arrival home, you do not have to go anywhere or send correspondence. If there is no choice, then you need to contact the official tax-free office or one of the two bank branches. It is better to call them in advance and clarify the possibility of receiving compensation.