Romania sales tax rebate - VAT refund at a glance

Thank you for visiting Romania and for shopping souvenirs, gifts and fashion.
Visitors who are permanent residents of countries outside the European Union may apply for a sales taxe rebate / VAT refund, if the following cumulative requirements are met:

Eligibility Any visitor permanent resident of a non European Union country
Minimum spend/transaction 175 Euro, minimum amount shown on one invoice/ purchase
no refund for invoices for less than 175 Euros, each,
even if collectively they exceed 175 Euros.
Goods purchased must be taken out of the EU within 3 months from purchase
must be shown to the customs in their sealed package;
products that have been used are not eligible for a VAT refund.
Reclaim deadline 90-days from the date of purchase
Purchased goods must be taken out of the EU within 3 months from purchase
Documents needed
to claim a rebate		 1. Original invoice
2. VAT Refund form - provided by participating store
Your rebate form must be validated by the Customs
How to Get your Rebate 1. At departure - border/ airport VAT refund counter,
2. By mail, the amount owed to you will be wired to your account or credited to your card.

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Romania-tax-free-shop
photo © changegroup.com

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How to apply for your sales tax rebate - VAT refund, in Romania

Visitors who live in a non-EU country can request a refund of the VAT paid for goods bought from retailers (shops), during their stay in Romania when are taking them in their luggage to a country outside the EU (they will not travel from Romania to another EU country). The minimum amount (including VAT) shown on one invoice must be at least €175).

Here is how to get your sales tax rebate request ready:

  • Buy at a participating store
    Check if the store/shop you buy the items/gifts you like participates in the sales tax (VAT) Refund Program. A "Tax Free" sign is usually posted on the store door or window.

  • Minimum amount of each transaction
    Make sure your puchase, shown on the same invoice totals at least 175 Euros

  • Sales Tax Rebate Forms
    Get two VAT Refund forms, from the store, and fill in all the required info. Kepp a form for you and leave one at the store.

  • Original documents are required
    Keep your original receipt(s)/invoice(s). The invoice must show the total amount paid and have the sales tax or VAT itemized.

  • VAT reimbursement is not possible without customs certification.
    Show the invoice(s) and your refund form to a Romanian customs officer. Both the invoice and the VAT refund form must be validated/stamped by the customs.

  • Proof of Export
    If purchased goods are in your hand luggage, be ready to show them if a customs officer wants to see them.
    In case that the items you claim a VAT refund for are in your checked baggage you need to inform the check-in staff so the customs can inspect the goods before your luggage leaves the check-in area.

  • Validate your forms when leaving the European Union
    If Romania is not your last destination in the EU you will have to get your VAT tax refund documents stamped at the last (EU) point of exit before departing from the EU.

  • Submit your claim by mail
    Your VAT refund claim can be also submitted via mail, once you have reached home. Most stores will offer you a self-addressed envelope to mail your Tax Free documents. 

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    Good to know Romania sales tax rebate

    VAT Refund offices (Birou de Restituire TVA)
    can be found at some Romanian airports (international departures) and border crossing points.

    All refunds are calculated in Romanian currency "Lei".
    Your refund can be also reimbursed in Euros or US Dollars.

    If you will decide to have VAT refund agent handle your refund, please be aware that an administration fee, in some cases quite substantial, will be deducted from your refund.

    Obtaining a VAT refund in Romania is a little more complicated than in other countries:
    -- The minimum threshold to claim a tax rebate (175 euros) is much higher that that of Denmark (40 Euros -- 300 DKK), Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Portugal (50 Euros),
    -- Several invoices for less than 175 Euros cannot be combined to meet the minimum limit.
    -- Many Romanian officials tend to be rigid, quite bureaucratic and not very efficient compared to those in the USA or the Netherlands.
    However, non-EU visitors can get the rebates they are entitlet to, if they meet the refund requirements.

    There are over Romanian 250 stores that participate in the TaxFree program, most of them in Bucharest:

    Fashion / Clothing:   Balizza, Braincoinf, C&A, Decathlon, Desigual, Geox, Intersport, Kenvelo, Louis Vuitton, Lee Cooper, LC Waikiki, Nissa, Parfois, Peek & Cloppenburg, Pepco, Phillip Plein, Reserved, Stefanel, Sinsay, Terranova, Tommy Hilfiger, Tudor Tailor,

    Cosmetics:   Sephora,

    Electronics:   Altex, Flanco, iStyle, Media Galaxy,

    Jewelry/ Gifts:   F64, iStyle, Mont Blanc, Pandora, Rolex, Sabrini, Splend'Or, Swarowski, Teilor, Watchshop,

    Shoes:   Benvenuti, Deichmann, Ecco Shoes, Geox, Humanic, Il Passo , Otter,

    Home/ Supermarkets:   Auchan, Carrefour, Jysk, Jumbo, Kika, Mobexpert.