“Travelers from non-EU countries can receive a refund for the value-added tax they’ve paid on items they buy, generally 19% of the purchase price. There are days when the customs officers are barely able to cope with the flood of heavily laden tourists. Long lines often form at the customs counters shortly before flights leave for Moscow, Beijing or Dubai. The same is true for incoming flights, when arriving passengers must declare cash amounts over €10,000. A golden age has also begun for businesses that specialize in refunding value-added tax. The companies pay tourists the bulk of the refund, but the company retains a percentage as a ‘service charge.’”
