CDG tax-refund kiosks

This item appears on page 67 of the January 2010 issue.

France’s Customs department has placed self-service VAT tax refund kiosks in all terminals at Charles de Gaulle Int’l Airport. The service, PABLO, processes the tax refund forms travelers collect from salespersons. 

Travelers carrying-on their purchases can bypass the line at the counter by using a three-step process. First, scan the bar codes on your VAT refund forms at the blue, Number 1 kiosk in front of the tax refund/Customs desk. Next, go through security to the boarding area, seek out the red, Number 2 kiosk and confirm and validate the forms (proving that you are leaving the country with the goods). Third, go to the Banque/exchange counter and present your validation to get your cash.

For more info, visit www.douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=3759 or ask for help at the Bureau of Douanes desk in the terminal.