Thailand VAT Refund Calculator
Estimate your 7% VAT refund, deduct PVD commission, and check eligibility.
What this solves
Foreign visitors leaving Thailand can claim back the 7% VAT on goods purchased from VAT-registered stores with a minimum single-day spend of 2,000 baht. The catch is two fees: a 5% processing commission and sometimes a per-receipt handling fee. The PVD (Paperless VAT Refund) system at major airports is faster and slightly more generous than the older paper-stamp system.
How to read results
The headline refund is the 7% VAT extracted from your purchases. The processing commission is roughly 5% of the VAT. The actual refund you receive is the VAT minus the commission. Per-receipt fees are deducted from cash refunds at the airport but typically waived for credit-card refunds.
Limitations
- PVD commission can be as low as 3% or as high as 7% depending on the airport operator and method.
- Each receipt must include a VAT 7% form from the shop — without it, that receipt is excluded.
- Refund timing varies: cash is immediate at the airport; credit card refunds take 4–6 weeks.
FAQ
Which stores offer VAT refund?
Look for the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" logo on the storefront. Major department stores (Central, Robinson, EmQuartier), most malls, and chain electronics stores participate. Convenience stores and supermarkets generally do not.
What is the minimum spend?
2,000 baht per single store visit per day. If you spend 1,500 baht at one store and 1,500 baht at another, neither qualifies.
When do I claim the refund?
At the airport, after immigration (in the duty-free departure area for BKK/CNX/HKT with PVD; before immigration for paper-stamp system). Allow 60–90 minutes — the queue can be long.
Sources
- Revenue Department of Thailand — VAT Refund for Tourist scheme rules.
- Airports of Thailand — PVD paperless VAT refund availability list.
- Krungthai Bank — refund counter commission schedule.