Tax inside a tax-included price is price × rate ÷ (100 + rate): 1/11 in Korea and Japan (10%), 1/6 in France (20%).
Most countries use refund operators (Global Blue, Planet, etc.) that keep a fee, so you receive less than the full tax. Australia refunds GST in full with no fee.
Minimum spends usually apply per store per day, and some are before tax (Japan: ¥5,000 before tax).
Japan switched from tax-free sales at the till to refunds at departure on 1 November 2026.
The US (no national VAT) and the UK (abolished in 2021) have no tourist refund. Sources: national tax and customs authorities and refund operators, checked 2026-10-31.
FAQ
How much tax refund do tourists get by country?
After fees, roughly: Korea 5.5–7.5% of the price, Japan 7.5–9.1%, China 9–11%, Europe 9–14%, Singapore 6–7.5%, Thailand 4–5.5%, Taiwan about 4%, Australia 9.1%.
What is the minimum purchase for a tax refund in Korea?
₩15,000 on a single receipt at a participating TAX FREE store.
Can tourists get a tax refund in the US or UK?
No. The US has no national VAT, and the UK ended its tourist VAT refund scheme in 2021.
Worked example
Example: a ₩150,000 purchase includes ₩150,000 ÷ 11 = ₩13,636 VAT. After the refund operator's fee, you typically get back ₩8,200–₩11,200. With an instant refund at the store, you pay only about ₩140,300 at checkout.
Common mistakes
The refund is not 10% of the price: VAT is 1/11 of the price, and fees reduce it further.
You must spend at least ₩15,000 at one Tax Free shop on the same day.
Instant refunds are limited to under ₩1 million per purchase and ₩5 million per stay; claim the rest at the airport.
You must leave Korea within three months of purchase and carry the goods with you.