Finance & Tax
Tourist VAT Refund Calculator
Estimate the VAT refund for visitors to Saudi Arabia
- Free
- No Signup
- Calculated in your browser
Total purchase amount including VAT.
What the refund operator deducts (often 10-20%).
Lowest per-receipt amount that qualifies.
Embedded VAT paid
Service fee amount
Net refund
✓ Eligible for refund
How does it work?
Saudi Arabia allows non-resident visitors to recover VAT paid at approved retailers when departing through designated exit points. A refund operator takes a service fee from the recoverable amount.
Eligibility criteria
- The buyer must be a non-resident of the GCC.
- The purchase must be from a retailer enrolled in the refund scheme.
- Meet the minimum spend per receipt (typically 300 SAR).
- Present the original receipt and goods on departure.
- Depart within the time window from purchase.
Formula
Embedded VAT = Gross − Gross ÷ 1.15 | Refund = VAT − (VAT × Fee%)
Refund process
- Ask the retailer to issue a 'tourist VAT refund' receipt at purchase.
- Keep the receipt and goods in their original packaging.
- Head to the refund counter at the airport before check-in.
- Present the receipt, goods, and passport.
- Pick cash or card refund (turnaround varies).
Limits and rules
Exact thresholds differ by refund operator and exit point. Check the official Zakat, Tax & Customs Authority portal for the latest figures before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to claim?
Non-resident visitors from outside the GCC. Saudi citizens and residents are not eligible.
Are all retailers in the scheme?
No — only approved retailers enrolled with the refund operator. They're usually marked with a 'Tax Free' decal at the entrance.
What's the typical service fee?
Varies by operator; commonly 10-20% of the VAT amount, sometimes plus a fixed handling fee.
When will I get the money?
Cash refund is immediate at the airport counter. Card refund takes 5-30 business days.
What if I forget to stamp the receipt on departure?
No refund is possible after departure without the customs stamp. Always stamp the receipt before checking in luggage.
Is the formula here exact?
It's a very close estimate. Final figures may vary slightly with operator-specific fees and FX rates on foreign cards.
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