Claim Up to 6% VAT Refund in 3 Simple Steps
Understanding how to claim a VAT refund in Thailand can make your international shopping experience even more rewarding. Whether you are buying world-renowned luxury brand items or authentic Thailand souvenirs, claiming your tax back is simple, fast, and convenient.
Who can claim a VAT refund?
To qualify for a tax refund in Thailand under the Revenue Department regulations, you must meet the following tourist eligibility criteria:
- Non-Thai Resident: You must not be a Thai national or reside permanently in Thailand.
- Tourist Status: You are visiting Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption for no more than 180 days in a calendar year.
- Flight Departure: You must leave Thailand via an international airport by air (not by land or sea).
- Non-Airline Crew: Airline crew members departing Thailand on duty are not eligible for a Thailand tax refund.
- Purchase Timeline: Goods must be exported out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase.
Claim Up to 6% VAT Refund in 3 Simple Steps
While the standard vat in Thailand is 7%, tourists receive a net tax refund of up to 6% calculated on a sliding scale system established by the Revenue Department. Follow these 3 straightforward steps to process your claim effortlessly when visiting a major shopping mall or preparing for departure.
STEP 1 : At Point of Sales
- Purchase goods from stores displaying the
“VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS” sign. - Spend at least 2,000 THB
(VAT included) per day, per store. - On the date of purchase, present your passport and ask the sales assistant to issue the VAT Refund Application Form (P.P.10) with the original tax invoices.
Please ensure your passport number is correct.
Goods must be taken out of Thailand within 60 days.
Tip: When exploring things to do in Bangkok, spending a day shopping at Siam Piwat’s luxury malls in Bangkok allows you to combine multiple store purchases in one location while collecting your P.P.10 forms conveniently.
STEP 2 : At Customs
- For purchases over 20,000 THB
Bring your purchased goods, P.P.10 forms or P.P.10.1, and original tax invoices to the Customs Office for inspection and stamping before loading your luggage. - For luxury brand purchases
After Customs inspection, hand-carry your goods to the VAT Refund for Tourist Office in the departure lounge for a final inspection by Revenue officers after passing the immigration checkpoint (VAT Refund at Suvarnabhumi airport and Don Mueang airport).
STEP 3 : At VAT Refund Counters
- Refund transaction ≤ 30,000 THB
- Cash: VAT refund officers
- Credit/Debit card: VAT refund officers,
Form submission by main counter or VRT application - WeChat / Alipay: VRT application
- Refund transaction > 30,000 THB
- Credit/Debit card: VAT refund officers or VRT application
Downtown VAT Refund Counters in Bangkok
To make shopping even more seamless, tourists can claim an instant cash vat refund right inside urban shopping hubs before heading to the airport!
Refund transaction ≤ 12,000 THB
- Cash: Downtown VAT Refund agents
Note: The goods must be exported within 15 days from the date of downtown VAT refund claim.
FAQs about VAT refund Thailand
1. What are the product categories that are eligible for VAT refund?
Most tangible consumer goods purchased for personal use outside Thailand are eligible for a tax refund. Eligible items include fashion apparel, electronic gadgets, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and packaged Thai food or packaged craft items.
Non-eligible categories include:
- Services (e.g., hotel stays, spa treatments, dining at restaurants).
- Items left or consumed in Thailand (e.g., opened food/beverages consumed during your stay).
- Prohibited items, firearms, explosives, gemstones, or unpolished precious stones.
2. Why are the VAT refunds disapproved?
A Thailand VAT refund application may be rejected or disapproved due to common procedural mistakes, including:
- Missing Customs Stamp: Failing to present goods and P.P.10 forms to Customs officers before checking in luggage at the airport.
- Expired Limit: Items exported after more than 60 days from the purchase date (or 15 days for downtown cash refunds).
- Incorrect Details: Passport numbers or names on the tax invoice not matching the physical passport presented.
- Minimum Spend Unmet: Total spend per store per day was below 2,000 THB.
- Unpresented High-Value Goods: Failing to hand-carry luxury items to show Revenue officers inside the departure lounge after immigration.