Learn How To Get VAT Refund in Thailand

Key Takeaway 

• The Thailand VAT refund scheme lets eligible tourists claim back the 7 per cent value-added tax on certain goods taken out of the country.
• You must spend at least 2,000 Baht (including VAT) at a single shop on the same day, at a store displaying the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign.
• Goods must leave Thailand within 60 days of purchase, via an international airport.
• You'll need your passport, the P.P.10 (or e-P.P.10) form and the original tax invoice for every claim.
• Refunds up to 30,000 Baht can be paid in cash (Thai baht only), to a digital wallet, or to a credit card. Higher amounts are paid by bank draft or credit card.
• Services like hotel stays, restaurant meals, tours and spa treatments are not eligible.

Table Of Content 

• What is VAT refund in Thailand?
• Can I get VAT refund in Thailand? Eligibility criteria
• What Purchases Qualify and What Doesn’t
• How Much is VAT Refund in Thailand?
• How To Get VAT Refund in Thailand: Step by step
• Where To Claim Your VAT Refund
• Modes Of Refund and Fees
• Common Mistakes That Get Claims Rejected
• Where To Stay For The Easiest Tax-free Shopping
• Frequently Asked Questions about VAT Refund in Thailand

If you're shopping in Thailand and wondering what is VAT refund in Thailand - t's a government scheme that allows non-resident tourists to claim back 7 per cent value-added tax on eligible goods purchased in Thailand and taken out of the country within 60 days. You shop at participating stores, collect a P.P.10 form, get it stamped by Customs at the airport and claim your refund before flying home. For travellers staying at ahotel apartment in Bangkok like Centre Point, plenty of eligible malls sit within walking distance of every property.

Let's walk through the full process step by step.

What is VAT refund in Thailand?

Thailand has applied a 7 per cent VAT on most goods and services since 1992. The VAT refund Thailand scheme is the Revenue Department's way of returning that tax to tourists who shop locally but consume the goods abroad. It's a small but worthwhile saving, especially on bigger purchases like electronics, designer fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and gifts.

The idea is simple: Thailand benefits from tourist spending, and tourists benefit from a partial refund on the tax paid. Just remember the scheme only covers physical goods, not services consumed inside the country.

Can I get VAT refund in Thailand? Eligibility criteria

A common question is - “can I get VAT refund in Thailand?” You can, if you meet all the criteria for VAT refund in Thailand below:

• You are not a Thai national.
• You are not a permanent resident of Thailand.
• You are not an airline crew member on duty.
• You leave Thailand through an international airport. Refunds are not available at land borders or seaports.
• Your goods were purchased within 60 days of your departure date.
• The goods are taken out of Thailand with you in your carry-on or checked luggage. 
• If you tick all those boxes, you're eligible to claim.

What Purchases Qualify and What Doesn’t

Knowing what counts towards your refund saves you time at the airport.

Eligible Purchases

• Goods bought at stores displaying the blue and white "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign.
• Physical goods that leave Thailand with you, such as clothing, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, bags and gifts.
• Items purchased and recorded on a single tax invoice of at least 2,000 Baht (including VAT) per shop per day.

Non-Eligible Purchases

• Hotel stays, restaurant meals, spa treatments, tours and any other services.
• Goods consumed or partly used inside Thailand.
• Firearms, explosives and certain prohibited items.

A common question is can I get VAT refund on hotel stay in Thailand? The answer is no. Accommodation falls under services, which are excluded from the scheme. The good news is that Centre Point's properties in Thailand already offer excellent value, and the savings from your shopping refunds add up nicely on top.

How Much is VAT Refund in Thailand?

VAT in Thailand is charged at 7 per cent, but the actual refund you receive is a little lower because of admin fees. The Revenue Department uses a tiered structure, so the effective refund rate sits between roughly 4 and 6.1 per cent of your purchase price.

Here are some illustrative figures based on the official VAT Refund Table:

These are guideline figures only and are subject to change. Always check the latest VAT Refund Table on the Revenue Department's website for current rates.

How To Get VAT Refund in Thailand: Step by step

Here's a clear walkthrough of how to get VAT refund in Thailand from start to finish.

Step 1: Before you buy

Pack your passport. Look for the blue and white "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign at the entrance or cashier counter. If you're unsure, simply ask before paying.

Step 2: At the store

Spend at least 2,000 Baht (including VAT) at the same shop on the same day. Show your passport to the cashier and request the P.P.10 form, also called the VAT Refund Application for Tourists, or its digital version, the e-P.P.10. The cashier will fill in your details, the purchase amount and the date. Check that everything matches your passport before walking away. Keep the form and your original tax invoice together.

Step 3: Pack your refund items separately

Keep eligible goods in a part of your luggage you can open easily. Customs may want to inspect them, especially if your total goods exceed 20,000 Baht. Luxury items valued at 40,000 Baht or more per piece (jewellery, gold, watches, eyeglasses, pens, smartphones, laptops, tablets, handbags or belts) and other carry-on goods worth 100,000 Baht or more per piece must be hand-carried. Consumable goods must be sealed and labelled "No Consumption Made While in Thailand".

Step 4: Customs inspection before check-in

On your departure day, head to the Customs Inspection counter at the airport before you check your bags. Show your goods, the P.P.10 form and original tax invoices to the Customs officer to get the stamps you need. Goods under 20,000 Baht in total are exempt from customs inspection under updated rules, so you can proceed straight to immigration.

Step 5: Claim at the VAT Refund Office

After passport control, walk to the VAT Refund for Tourists Office in the departure lounge. Present your stamped P.P.10, tax invoices and passport. Choose your refund method and collect your money. Luxury goods need a second inspection at the VAT Refund Office after immigration.

Where To Claim Your VAT Refund 

You can claim your refund at any of Thailand's 10 international airports that handle VAT refunds:

• Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok)
• Don Mueang (Bangkok)
• Phuket
• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Hat Yai
• U-Tapao
• Krabi
• Samui
• Surat Thani

Land and sea border crossings do not process VAT refunds.

There's also a Downtown VAT Refund option available in central Bangkok for travellers departing from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang. Downtown refunds are capped at 12,000 Baht per claim, and goods must leave Thailand within 14 days of the downtown claim. You'll still need to drop the documents at the airport on departure to complete the process.

Modes Of Refund and Fees 

Refund payment methods depend on the refund amount.

• Refund up to 30,000 Baht: Cash in Thai baht, digital wallet, or credit card transfer (Visa, Mastercard, JCB).

• Refund over 30,000 Baht: Bank draft (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY) or credit card transfer.

Small fees apply to each method. Bank drafts typically incur around 103 Baht in transaction fees plus 109 Baht in postage. Credit card transfers run around 107 Baht in transaction fees plus 17 Baht in postage. Currency conversion charges may apply if your card is in a foreign currency. These fees are deducted from your refund amount.

Common Mistakes That Get Claims Rejected 

Most rejected claims come down to a small handful of avoidable errors:

• Missing Customs stamp on the P.P.10 form.
• Failing to meet the 2,000 Baht minimum per shop per day.
• Goods already used or consumed in Thailand without proper declaration.
• Trying to claim for hotels, restaurants, tours or other services.
• Original tax invoice not attached to the P.P.10.
• Name or passport number on the form not matching the claimant.
• Luxury goods taken out without the secondary inspection.

A few minutes of double-checking your forms at the store can save you a much longer wait at the airport.

Where To Stay For The Easiest Tax-free Shopping 

The Bangkok shopping districts around Chidlom, Pratunam, Silom and Sukhumvit are full of eligible stores displaying the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign. Centre Point'shotel apartment in Bangkok properties sit in the middle of these zones, putting major eligible malls within walking distance of every guest.

• Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom: Directly connected to Central Bangrak, with BTS Saphan Taksin and Sathorn Pier just a 2-minute walk away.

• Centre Point Hotel Chidlom: Around 10 to 15 minutes' walk (or a quick complimentary tuk-tuk ride) to Central Chidlom, Central Embassy and CentralWorld.

• Centre Point Hotel Sukhumvit 10: About a 10 to 13-minute walk to Terminal 21, and within easy reach of EmQuartier and EmSphere.

• Centre Point Plus Hotel Pratunam: Directly opposite Platinum Fashion Mall and steps from Pratunam Market.

• Centre Point Serviced Apartment Thong Lo: Close to The EmDistrict and Sukhumvit's lifestyle malls.

Each property comes with comfortable rooms, in-room amenities and easy access to BTS or the Airport Rail Link, making it simple to keep your shopping receipts organised and head straight to the refund desk on departure day.

Ready To Claim Your Thailand Tax Refund? 

Pack your passport, grab your tax invoices and check in at the heart of Bangkok's best shopping districts. Book your stay at a Centre Point hotel today and turn every shopping trip into a smarter, more rewarding holiday. 

A: The simplest way is to shop at major Bangkok malls and department stores with a dedicated VAT refund desk, where staff handle the P.P.10 paperwork for you. For travellers wondering how to refund VAT in Thailand quickly, arriving at the airport at least 90 minutes earlier than usual gives you plenty of time at the Customs and refund counters.

Frequently Asked Questions about VAT refund in Thailand

Q: How do I know if I'm eligible for VAT refund in Thailand?

A: To be eligible, you must be a foreign tourist with no Thai nationality or domicile, departing Thailand by international flight and shopping at stores that participate in the VAT Refund for Tourists scheme.

Q: Can I get VAT refund on hotel stays and restaurants in Thailand?

A: No, hotel stays, restaurant bills and most services are not eligible for VAT refund. The scheme applies mainly to goods you take out of the country.

Q: Do I get back the full 7% VAT in Thailand?

A: No, you usually receive less than 7% because handling fees and administration costs are deducted, so the effective refund is often around 4 to 6% of the purchase price.

Q: What documents do I need to bring to claim my VAT refund?

A: You need your passport, boarding pass or flight information, the VAT Refund Application for Tourists forms (P.P.10 or e-P.P.10) and original tax invoices from each store.

Q: Can I claim VAT refund at land borders or only at airports?

A: VAT refunds for tourists are processed only when you depart via designated international airports in Thailand. You cannot claim them at land border crossings.

Q: What happens if I forget to get the Customs stamp before check-in?

A: Without a Customs stamp on your VAT refund forms, your claim is likely to be rejected at the VAT refund counter, even if you have receipts.

Q: Is it worth claiming VAT refund in Thailand for small purchases?

A: Because of minimum spending rules and processing time, it is usually worthwhile only if you have several purchases meeting the threshold, rather than a few small items.