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Shopping
Tax-free in Krakow
All
prices in Krakow’s shops include the value-added tax (VAT)
that usually amounts to as much as 22 percent with few
exceptions (see details at our page on taxes in
Poland). Yet buyers with permanent residency outside the European
Union may
claim tax refund for goods bought in Poland and taken permanently
out of the EU within three months from the date of purchase.
Many
shops in Krakow, notably the downtown
ones and stores situated in Krakow's
shopping malls, help customers to reclaim
VAT levied on their purchases. They usually display a square
sticker that reads ‘Tax Free Shopping’ in black
capitals.
How
it works in Krakow shops.
Visitors
without permanent residency in the EU may claim the refund of
the VAT either directly from a shop or through a specialized
agency. In order to reclaim the tax directly they should come
back to Poland, visit the store again, and produce the
original VAT invoice together with a relevant certificate
issued by the customs officers at a border crossing or at an
airport on leaving the territory of the European Union. The
shop should refund the full amount of VAT stated in the
invoice.
How
to get most of the VAT refund through an agency.
Foreign
visitor may count on a refund when he/she spends in the shop
at least 200 zlotys (i.e. an equivalent of roughly 55 euro) for
goods that will be taken abroad within three months. The shop
issues a check of the Global Refund Polska, a company that boasts a
“world-wide network of instant cash refund offices”.
They’d buy the check, stamped by a customs officer who makes
sure that the purchased items leave the country, at the point
of departure (i.e. border crossings, airports, etc. see the
list below) or anywhere outside Poland. The Global Refund
deducts its handling fee of 10 to 30 percent from the due sum. Its checks remain
valid four months since the date of issue.
What
One Should Do to Pocket the VAT Refund on Krakow Purchases?
When
you pay in a Krakow shop anything above 200 zlotys for
goods you want to take home, ask for a Global Refund Check
(note: better have your passport at hand since you may be
requested to present an ID).
While
declaring your purchase at Polish customs upon leaving the
country, present the respective refund check (checks) to
the officer and have it stamped.
Cash
the Global Refund checks at its cash return office at your
convenience within four months since the purchase of goods
in Krakow.
Global
Refund cash return points on Poland’s borders and within the
country.
In
Krakow: The Krakow
International Airport in
Balice,
at the currency
exchange desk in the public area in the International
Passenger Terminal T1.
Polish-Ukrainian
border
Medyka / Mostyska, Korczowa / Kracovec,
Hrebenne / Rawa Ruska, Zosin / Ustyluh.
On
the Polish-Byelorussian border
Slawatycze / Damaczawa, Terespol / Brest, Bobrowniki / Pohraniczny,
Kuznica Bialostocka / Hrodna.
Airports:
Warsaw Okecie, Krakow Balice,
Katowice Pyrzowice, Gdansk Rebiechowo,
Szczecin Goleniow, Wroclaw.
Click here for more Krakow tips.
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Basic Krakow info for
visitors
Taxes
in Poland
Shopping
in Krakow
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Enrich yourself with a first-rate work
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butter as well as other dairy products, fruits,
vegetables, meat, seafood, etc.
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real estate in Krakow
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