Shopping is essential for us abroad, so how do we get a tax refund? However, there are many rules. Today, let’s take a look at where we can go shopping if we travel in Finland. In addition to the airports we are familiar with, there are many options!

Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport

Helsinki Airport also has a large number of specialty stores, such as the famous Finnish fashion brand Marimekko, IITTALA, Moomin theme store and other Finspirationshop, which specializes in Finnish souvenirs. The best place to dig out travel souvenirs.

Reindeer products, birch handicrafts, cloudberry jam, and even canned bear meat. These uniquely Finnish products can be found at Helsinki Airport.

The Helsinki Airport, which is still under expansion, is a design full of Finnish elements. The airport is full of user-friendly designs, making people feel comfortable and relaxed.

"Tax-free" and "Tax-refund"

"Tax-free" and "Tax-free" are two signs that are often seen when traveling and shopping. Both of them are tax exempt. The former type of tax (such as customs duties) has been directly exempted, while the latter type of tax (such as value-added tax) needs to be handled by yourself, that is, apply for a tax refund.

It is also very convenient to apply for tax refund in Finland, and there are more than one tax refund methods to choose from.

At Helsinki Airport, two companies have set up tax refund counters. In addition to the familiar Global Blue, there is also a company called Planet (formerly PremierTaxFree) that also provides tax refund services.

To put it simply, the tax refund process is generally divided into three steps: the first step is to receive and fill out the tax refund application form, the second step is to obtain the customs stamp, and the third step is to apply for a tax refund.

Take Global Blue as an example. If Chinese tourists spend more than 40 euros in a store marked "Global Blue" on the same day, they can ask the store clerk for a tax refund application form. After filling in the relevant information, the store will issue an invoice and package the goods. In order to successfully refund the tax, we must keep these vouchers properly and ensure that the goods are always unopened.

If you leave the EU from Helsinki and return to your home country, you can get the customs stamps for all tax refund forms at the tax refund counter or customs office at Helsinki Airport before boarding the plane. Because Finland's tax management is relatively strict, the possibility of customs inspection of goods is relatively high. After getting the customs stamp, you can go to Global Blue’s tax refund counter to apply for tax refund. Tax refund methods can be Euro cash tax refund, credit card tax refund, Alipay or WeChat RMB tax refund. Please note that exchange rates and fees may vary for different tax refunds.

Helsinki City Bag

If you have downloaded the "Helsinki City Bag" mini program on WeChat, you can complete all the tax refund steps and only need to collect tax. Click "Tencent Tax Refund" on the mini program page. The staff at the airport tax refund point will scan the tax refund code and transfer the tax directly to your WeChat wallet in RMB.

In addition to tax refund services, the Helsinki City Pack also provides many travel tips. It is highly recommended that you download this small program, it will definitely be a good helper for you to visit Helsinki!

The main difference in tax refund services between Planet and Global Blue is that they provide paperless electronic tax refund services. It binds the products purchased by customers with customer information. The service is based on a cloud system and is easy to operate. There are two ways to get a tax refund: cash and credit card. PlanetCompany has tax refund counters in front of the security checkpoint on the departure floor of Terminal 2 of Helsinki Airport and at Gate 32 in the non-Schengen area.

Global Blue Helsinki City Center

In addition to tax refund at the airport, Global Blue has also set up a tax refund service point in the center of Helsinki. At Stockman's Department Store, you can take advantage of the "Downtown Money Back" service. This method is convenient and fast. You can directly receive tax refund cash after consumption, and then continue to use it for other expenses during the trip.

The first step in tax refund is to ask the store for a tax refund application form and fill in the information. After completing the first step, you can go directly to the Global Blue refund counter in the department store and get a cash refund directly with valid ID and credit card as guarantee.

Before leaving the country, after receiving the customs stamp at the Global Blue counter or customs, submit the stamped tax refund application form to the Global Blue service desk or send it back to Global Blue to complete the tax refund. If the tax refund application form is not returned within the specified time, the tax refund company will deduct the total refund and deduction fees from the guaranteed bank card.

Another service point of "Urban Retreat" is located at Esplanade Street No. 21, Helsinki. "City Tax Refund" only accepts tax refund forms received locally in Finland.

Rovaniemi Santa Claus Village

Tourists flying back to China from Rovaniemi via Helsinki can consider the following tax refund methods, because there is no tax refund service counter at Rovaniemi Airport. If your luggage needs to be checked in again in Helsinki, you can apply for a tax refund at Helsinki Airport.

If the luggage is flying directly to China, one way is to carry the items that need tax refund in the form of carry-on luggage and apply for tax refund at the tax refund counter at Helsinki Airport in the non-Schengen zone. You can also choose to apply for tax refund in advance at the Global Blue Service Point of the Arctic Circle Tourist Information Center in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. The tax refund point only supports the processing of tax refund forms received in Finland.

After completing the necessary procedures, the tax refund point will refund you in cash. Afterwards, tourists still need to get a customs stamp at Helsinki Airport and submit a tax form.

In addition to Helsinki and Rovaniemi, Global Blue also has tax refund service points at S-Market in Ivalo (Address: Petsamontie2), Allegro and Tolstoi trains from Finland to St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia .

With so many tax refund places, I believe that the tax refund will be successful, but you must be careful not to buy too much, otherwise the travel burden will increase!