Tourists in Thailand can get a VAT refund on goods taken out of the country within 60 days. You must shop at approved stores, spend at least 2,000 THB (52.64 Euros) per store per day, keep receipts, and get a P.P.10 form. At the airport, have customs inspect your items and then claim your refund after immigration. Refund amounts depend on how much you spend, and luxury items require extra checks. Refunds are denied if documents are missing or rules aren’t followed.
How Tourists Can Claim a VAT Refund in Thailand
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Author: Ljubica Blagojević
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Content accuracy validation date:
06.11.2025
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Who’s eligible?
You qualify if you:
- Are a non-Thai tourist and not a permanent resident
- Are not airline crew departing Thailand
- Shop at stores showing the “VAT Refund for Tourists” sign
- Spend at least 2,000 THB per store per day (including VAT)
What purchases are eligible?
- Goods you will take out of Thailand within 60 days
- Must be inspected by customs at departure
- Forbidden items (like firearms or explosives) are not eligible
How to claim your VAT refund — 4 simple steps
Shop correctly
Buy from approved stores, show your passport, keep original invoices.
Ask for P.P.10 form
Store staff completes and signs it — verify purchase date and items.
Customs inspection at airport
Present goods, receipts, passport, and P.P.10 for stamping before check-in.
Collect refund after immigration
Submit stamped form at VAT Refund counter.
- Refund under 30,000 THB → cash (Baht) or digital wallet
- Above 30,000 THB → bank draft or credit card
If total purchases are under 20,000 THB, you can claim by mail without customs inspection.
How much can you get back?
Refunds scale with spending:
- 80 THB for purchases between 2,000–2,499 THB
- Over 200,000 THB → refund rate approx. 6.1% of value
Luxury goods rule
For items worth 40,000 THB+ each (jewelry, gold, designer bags, electronics):
- Declare them twice
- At customs before check-in
- At VAT refund office after immigration
- Must be in carry-on luggage
Why refunds get rejected
- Missing original invoices
- Not leaving via an international airport
- Goods not taken out of Thailand within 60 days (purchase day = day 1)
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