Why Should Retailers Offer tax-free Shopping?
Key Takeaways
- Tax-free shopping is an immediate driver of sales performance
- It is a premium service strongly expected by non-EU travelers
- Offering tax-free shopping strengthens your store’s image
Offering tax-free shopping in your store is an immediate way to boost sales performance, especially for stores located in tourist areas or with high international foot traffic. When managed effectively, tax-free shopping increases average transaction value and significantly improves the customer experience for high-spending international shoppers.
With the right tools, tax-free shopping is easy to implement and can quickly boost in-store sales.
tax-free shopping: an immediate driver of sales
Giving your international shoppers access to a VAT refund significantly increases the appeal of your offer and helps drive sales of higher-value items. The immediate benefits of a tax-free service include:
Removing price-related barriers
Improving in-store conversion rates
Building loyalty among high-spending customers
In tourist areas, tax-free shopping is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it is an expected standard. Stores that offer it immediately position themselves as competitive and customer-focused.
Today, more than 4,000 stores trust SolPay, with 500,000 tax-free form processed each year.
Discover whether your store is eligible for tax-free shopping in our dedicated article.
A premium service that strengthens your image and customer experience
International shoppers are familiar with tax-free shopping and expect a simple, fast, and seamless journey. A successful tax-free refund experience becomes a powerful driver of customer satisfaction.
By offering this tax-free service, you:
- Strengthen your store’s customer-focused image,
- Build lasting relationships with international shoppers,
- Make your store a preferred destination for tourists seeking expert service.
With SolPay, the experience is designed for both you and the traveler:
- Bilingual support 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., handling customer inquiries on your behalf,
- Tax-free processing integrated seamlessly into the checkout flow,
- Credit card refund or Cash refund,
- Refund tracking available to customers at any time.
A strong expectation from international tourism
For many Non-EU travelers, the option to benefit from tax-free shopping directly influences the purchase decision.
A store that does not offer tax-free shopping may see lower conversion rates, more abandoned purchases at checkout, and unfavorable comparisons with competing stores. Travelers eligible for tax-free shopping are well informed: they understand the rules, the thresholds, and can quickly identify stores that offer this service.
With SolPay, tax-free shopping becomes a true business advantage
Tax-free shopping with SolPay is designed to be simple, transparent, and profitable — without adding complexity for you or your customers.
- No hardware investment required,
- Installation and training provided by our teams,
- Human support and local field presence (Côte d’Azur, Paris, Rhône-Alpes).
SolPay Online and SolPay Mobility fit naturally into your team’s day-to-day workflow without slowing down checkout. They offer:
- A standalone solution with no technical constraints,
- Automatic data capture (passport, bank card, and receipt for SolPay Mobility),
- Use on desktop, tablet, or smartphone,
- A short onboarding time that does not disrupt existing checkout habits.
Depending on the model selected, stores may also earn a commission on processed tax-free transactions, turning the service into an additional revenue stream with no extra operational burden.
With SolPay, tax-free shopping becomes a reliable, secure, and immediately actionable way to grow in-store sales — designed for day-to-day retail operations.
tax-free solutions tailored to your real-world needs
SolPay offers an ecosystem of solutions designed to integrate naturally into your business.
SolPay Online
Simple tax-free processing available on desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Seamlessly integrated with your existing tools.
SolPay Mobility
Mobile tax-free processing anywhere in the store.
Ideal for handling peak traffic without blocking checkout.
Custom Solutions
Tailored setups for specific needs:
Advanced integrations, custom customer journeys, and multi-country projects.
Ready to streamline tax-free shopping in your store?
Frequently asked questions
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What documents do I need to request to process a tax-free sale?
The customer’s original passport is required to verify eligibility and issue a compliant tax-free form. Where applicable, Proof of residence outside the EU may also be requested. The information entered must strictly match the documents presented.
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Which customers can I offer tax-free sales?
🇫🇷 In France, you can offer tax-free shopping to travelers aged 16 or older who reside outside the European Union and are staying in France for less than 6 months.
🇧🇪 In Belgium, you can offer tax-free shopping to travelers who reside outside the European Union.These criteria must be verified at checkout before any tax-free form is issued.
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What does the government say about tax-free shopping?
For more information on the tax-free process, consult the official Service-Public page: https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F20558.
For more information on the tax-free process, consult the official FPS Finance page: https://fin.belgium.be/en/private-individuals/international/travel-luggage/traveling-outside-eu/vat-refund.