A Taste of Paris : Day 8 - Boulangerie Alexine, How to Claim Your Sales Tax at the Airport

BOULANGERIE ALEXINE

It was our last day. Our flight was in the afternoon so we decided to get some bakery items from Boulangerie Alexine in the Montmartre neighborhood. The quiche that we got from this bakery was very tasty. We also packed some items to eat at the airport.

Boulangerie Alexine

Delicious quiche from Boulangerie Alexine

CLAIMING SALES TAX (VAT) AT THE AIRPORT

We had to get to the airport early enough to have time to claim our sales tax (VAT) refund. We made sure the night before that all the items eligible for tax refund were readily accessible in our luggages. We did this just in case the items needed to be shown during the process. We also made sure we had all the receipts and tax refund forms that the stores gave us. When we purchased the items, the store asked whether we would like the refund in cash at the airport or credited back to our credit card. Since this was our first time and we would like to compare, we opted for cash for some items and credit for the others. There was a minimum purchase of 175 € from the same store on the same day to be eligible for a tax refund. Be sure to have the retailer's and your signatures on the tax refund forms.

When we got to the airport we looked for the tax refund center before checking in our luggages. The first step is to get our tax-free forms certified. We were able to use the Pablo self-service kiosk since our tax refund forms had the PABLO logo and the barcode to be scanned. Using the self-service kiosk was straightforward. You simply select your language, scan the barcode on the tax-free form to obtain the electronic certification of the form (Customs approval), and at the end you will see a screen with the message ″OK, form validated.″

The PABLO Tax Refund Terminal

The Tax Refund Kiosks

The second and final step depends on whether you opted for cash or credit. For credit refund (took two months for us to get it), you simply seal the envelope that contains your certified tax refund form and drop it in the slot at one of the VAT Refund Drop Off Boxes as shown below. This area was at a different location than the tax refund kiosks. We found them at the same location as the Travelex counter. Travelex is a third party company that is authorized to give us cash refund.

Tax refund drop off boxes for credit card refunds.

To get your refund in cash you need to go to one of the Travelex stores/counters at the airport. The one we visited was next to the tax refund drop off boxes. As shown in the picture below, you need to check in with the queue host and he or she will give you a number. You then get in line and wait for your number to be called. When it is your turn you go to your assigned window and the person at the window will process your refund and you get your cash refund there.

The Travelex Counter

CHECK-IN - AIR FRANCE

Check-in for Air France was very simple. We used the machine shown below.

Passenger Check-in Machine

After that we went to the luggage check-in area and used the machine below. The bag tag scanner is located to the left of the monitor.

Luggage Check-in Machine

ENJOYING THE AIRPORT

Once we got through security, we were able to enjoy the airport. There are lots of shops. Paul, Relay, Ladurée, to name a few. And of course Starbucks. 😄 The airport is a great place to get gifts like macarons from Ladurée.