(Information updated on February 4, 2008)

Foreign visitors to the Czech Republic can apply for value added tax (VAT) refund. VAT is either 19 % or 9 % of the total amount paid for the goods.

Tax Free Shopping in the Czech Republic:

Tax free service is for non EU residents only. There are many opportunities to benefit from Tax Free Shopping, more than 6,000 retail outlets offer this service. All foreign tourists outside the EU are entitled to claim the tax, if they spend more than 2,000 CZK in a shop within one day. Goods must be purchased at the affiliated stores that carry out TAX FREE SHOPPING logo. You must ask a retailer for the TAX REFUND FORM and the original receipt. The purchased goods must leave the country within 3 months from the end of the purchase month.

How to get a VAT-refund:

VAT-refund must be claimed either with the same retailer in person or through a specialized collecting agencies such as Global Refund or VAT MAX. After deduction of the handling expense, the customer will receive a refund up to 14% of the purchase price.

1. Buy goods for more than 2,000 CZK in one day from a retailer marked by TAX FREE SHOPPING logo.
2. Request the envelope, the VAT REFUND FORM and the original receipt.
3. Have the VAT REFUND FORM filled out, indicating the VAT amount, and have it stamped by the retailer.
4. Have your VAT REFUND FORM validated at the border or at the airport by the Czech Customs Office. If you travel by train you must ask for a Customs officer.

5a. Customer can cash a refund cheque at the airport in Prague and Karlovy Vary, inland or abroad at one of more than 200 international cash refund offices.

5b. Global Refund offers several possibillities of receiving a VAT-refund:
* Cash at nearby Global Refund Office
* Return home and mail your VAT forms and original receipts to specialized collecting agency Global Refund, requesting the refund. You can get a direct crediting of a chosen credit card or bank account (please state your credit card/ bank details) or receive a bank cheque sent to a chosen address.

5c. Keep all the forms and receipts and claim the refund with the same retailer during your next trip to the Czech Republic within 90 days from the day of the purchase.

Important notice:
Neither the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, nor the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. validate VAT refund forms or refund VAT.

Please, contact the Cash Refund Offices in the Czech Republic. For more detail information you may also want to contact the General Directorate of Customs of the Czech Republic www.cs.mfcr.cz.

Cash Refund Offices:
Global Refund Czech Republic, s. r. o.
Address: Vodičkova 38/1935, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Free hot line number: +420 800-186-238
Tel.: +420 224 241 271
Fax: +420 224 241 269
E-mail: taxfree.cz@globalrefund.com
www.globalrefund.cz

Global Refund Czech Republic is a part of Global Refund Group, the world's leader in Tax Free Shopping services. With tax refund operations in 35 countries, more than 230,000 affiliated retail outlets, and over 200 Cash Refund Offices all over the globe, over 30,000 customers get satisfied every day. In the Czech Republic Global Refund covers 95% of the market, with more than 6,000 affiliated retailers.

Amendment:
The Czech government approved a VAT amendment on January 22, 2003. The minimum sale for tourist rebate will be increased to 6,000 CZK. Tourists will not be able to get back VAT on food, alcohol, cigarettes and gasoline. The amendment will take effect on July 1, 2003.