Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is running a special promotion on day trips, available from just £29* each way and valid until 23 March 2023.
Travellers can enjoy tax-free continental shopping and enjoy up to 20% of VAT refunds on a wide variety of goods including cosmetics, technology, jewellery, and food and drink items.
Tax-Free Shopping: How does it work?
Step 1: Shop
Make sure the store offers tax-free shopping, and spend more than €100.01 in France to qualify for a VAT refund. Ask for a tax refund form and show your passport.
Step 2: Validate
Validate your tax refund form by scanning the barcode at a self-service PABLO kiosk. Eurotunnel has these located in the Calais terminal. Validating tax refund forms MUST be done before leaving Calais.
Step 3: Refund
Present your credit card when making a purchase and get an electronic refund in the currency of your card or bank account. You will still need to validate the tax-free form before leaving the country.
Eurotunnel’s top tips for seamless tax-free shopping:
- Bring your passport, you’ll need to show it to the store staff
- Try to purchase as many items on the same receipt as possible – you can often get a higher rate of refund for larger purchases
- Don’t use the items before you leave the EU, all items must be unused in their original packaging
- Take a photo of your tax refund forms after having them validated so you have evidence if a problem with your refund occurs later
VAT rates in France are 20% standard, with pharmacy goods at 10%, and food & books at 5.5%.
Tax-free shopping is available in Calais, 35 minutes from Folkestone on Eurotunnel. Cité Europe mall and Carrefour hypermarket are just a 5-minute drive from the Calais terminal. Chanel outlet store is also nearby.
Deauville in Normandy is a 3h drive from Calais. It has a thriving fashion scene with a shopping district boasting Sandro, Maje, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.
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