What actually
comes back.

Estimate a tourist VAT or GST refund after the operator’s percentage, fixed fee and minimum spend.

The formula

The tax inside the receipt is gross × rate ÷ (1 + rate). The operator’s percentage comes off that, then any fixed fee per transaction. If the receipt is under the minimum spend, the refund is zero. A refund is never negative.

With the UAE figures quoted by the Federal Tax Authority, a 1,050 receipt contains 50.00 of VAT; 87% of that is 43.50; minus AED 3.60 leaves 39.90, or 3.8% of the receipt. See the UAE refund breakdown.

What it assumes

The estimate assumes you are eligible, the store takes part, and the goods are exported in your luggage and validated in time. Goods shipped home by freight do not get a tourist refund. Read how tourist VAT refunds work before relying on one, and use the landed-cost calculator to add card fees and import tax at home.

Common questions

Why is the refund less than the VAT rate?

The tax is a smaller share of the gross price than the headline rate, and operators usually keep a percentage and may charge a fixed fee.

Can I combine receipts to reach the minimum?

Only where the scheme allows it. Singapore’s eTRS allows up to three same-day receipts from the same GST registration and shop name; other schemes differ.

Is the refund paid in my home currency?

It depends on the operator and payout method. A card refund may be converted at a different rate from the original purchase.

Other tools.

VAT calculatorSplit a VAT-inclusive price into net price and tax, or add VAT to a net price.Sales tax calculatorAdd a combined sales tax rate to a pre-tax shelf price and see the checkout total.Currency & card-fee checkConvert with dated reference rates, then add a card fee or compare a dynamic currency conversion offer.Import duty calculatorWork out duty and import VAT on goods value plus freight and insurance, in the order customs applies them.Traveler allowance checkerCheck a whole category of goods against a duty-free allowance without subtracting the allowance from the bill.Trip break-even calculatorCompare the home price with the full overseas cost, then subtract the trip itself.Landed-cost calculatorEvery step of one purchase: tax basis, refund, card fee, freight, duty and import tax.Travel basketUp to five saved purchases against the same basket at home, with the trip included.

What actually
comes back.

The formula

What it assumes

Common questions

Read more.

How do tourist VAT refunds work, from the till to the payout

Why your tax refund is smaller than the tax you paid

UAE tourist VAT refund fees: the 13% deduction and AED 3.60 charge

Other tools.

Help improve the tools?

What actuallycomes back.

The formula

What it assumes

Common questions

Read more.

How do tourist VAT refunds work, from the till to the payout

Why your tax refund is smaller than the tax you paid

UAE tourist VAT refund fees: the 13% deduction and AED 3.60 charge

Other tools.

What actually
comes back.