Tax-free shopping

VAT refund in Belgium (tax-free)

If you live outside the EU, you can recover VAT (21 %, 12 % or 6 % depending on the product) on your purchases in Belgium — often a 12 to 15 % gain after handling fees.

Are you eligible?

Permanent residence outside EU (non-EU passport OR residence card from a third country).
Purchase ≥ €125.01 per receipt, at an approved tax-free store (marked by Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, Planet sticker…).
Leave the EU with goods within 3 months of purchase.
Personal use — goods for personal use (no commercial resale).

Services (hotel, restaurants, transport) are not refundable, nor goods consumed in BE (open alcohol, tobacco…).

Procedure in 4 steps

1In store

Ask for the « Tax Free Shopping Cheque » form at the cashier. Present your non-EU passport. Carefully keep the receipt + the form. The merchant can either give you a cheque (Global Blue, Planet, Premier Tax Free) or use a 100 % digital procedure (DIVA, ProTax).

2Before departure: show the goods

At the airport, BEFORE check-in (unless you take cabin), go to the PABLO kiosk or customs counter. Present: passport, plane ticket, tax-free form, goods (intact, unused). Validate electronically (PABLO) or stamped.

3Get the refund

Either immediately in cash at the Global Blue / Planet airport counter (fee ~ €5-10). Or bank transfer / card (4-8 weeks, no or reduced fees). Or send the validated form by mail for deferred refund.

4Keep a copy

Keep the copy of the stamped form until refund received, in case of dispute. Standard delay 2 months — claim possible with provider if exceeded.

Where to clear customs? (BE airports)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

Zaventem

PABLO kiosks + Global Blue / Planet counters in public zone level 3 (before security). Counters also in duty-free zone after security.

Tip: arrive 30 min earlier — PABLO queue can be long in high season.

Charleroi (CRL)

Brussels South / BSCA

PABLO kiosks + customs counter. Lower volume, shorter wait.

Liège (LGG)

Liège Airport

Mainly cargo, few passengers. Exit via another EU country for most — you can validate your tax-free there.

PABLO: the digital kiosk (recommended)

Since 2024, Belgium has generalised PABLO kiosks (the French electronic system) — faster than a manual stamp.

Scan the barcode of the tax-free form
The kiosk validates automatically if OK (green)
If kiosk asks for control (orange), go to customs counter
Once validated, present the form at Global Blue / Planet counter for refund

Advantage: no queue at customs if kiosk validates alone. Disadvantage: kiosk can impose random check that lengthens time.

How much will I get back?

For a €1,000 purchase incl. VAT in Belgium (VAT 21 %):

VAT included: €173.55 (1,000 × 21 / 121)
Global Blue handling fees: ~ €30-40
Estimated net refund: €130-145 (≈ 13-14.5 % of purchase price)

The bigger the receipt, the better the percentage — fixed fees are amortised. For a €5,000 purchase, count on ~ 17-18 % net refund.

Pitfalls to avoid

Non-approved shop: many small shops don't participate. Ask before buying — look for Global Blue / Planet sticker at entrance or checkout.
Badly filled receipt: name, surname, passport, non-EU address must be complete. One missing field = customs refusal.
Used goods: customs officers may ask to see them. Packaged/sealed product is better. For clothes, keep the labels.
Transit via another EU country before leaving: if you take Eurostar Brussels → London, validate at Brussels-Midi (customs at UK-side exit). If departing via Paris CDG, validate at CDG, not Brussels.
Hold luggage: if goods go to hold, validate BEFORE check-in. Customs officers may require to see them physically.

Useful links