©Nohcab Shopping, tax exemption and escape in Calais
One crossing and everything changes. Just 35 kilometres from the English coast, Calais is an ideal stopover for a stay combining discovery, gastronomy and shopping. With its many shops and the possibility of reclaiming VAT on certain purchases, the city is a popular destination for British visitors looking for a good deal.
A shopping trip with a sea view
Calais is a city where shopping takes on a special dimension. The shopping streets of the city center are full of boutiques and artisans offering local products, fashion items and accessories, such as the Maison du Fromage or the Bon Vent brewery. Gastronomy lovers will find what they are looking for in the delicatessens and wine merchants, where French wines, cheeses and chocolates attract connoisseurs, as well as at the wholesalers Calais Vins or Pidou.
For a wider range, the Cité Europe and Channel Outlet shopping centres host international brands and designer boutiques at discounted prices.
The price of French products is often more attractive than in the United Kingdom. Between the difference in cost and the VAT refund, a shopping trip to Calais becomes an advantageous alternative to purchases made across the Channel.
©Fred Collier 
©Nohcab A good deal for British visitors
Since Brexit, UK residents can benefit from “Tax Free Shopping” in France. This scheme allows you to recover VAT on purchases made during a stay, provided you export them to the UK and meet certain criteria. The tax exemption applies to a wide range of products: clothing, leather goods, cosmetics, jewellery, electronics, wines and gastronomic specialities. The total amount of purchases must be at least €100 in the same store.
To get the refund, simply request an export sales slip at the time of purchase by presenting your passport. You must also be over 16 years old. Paying by credit card makes the transaction even easier: the refund is made directly to the visitor's account, in pounds sterling or in the currency linked to their card.
©Stephane Ribeiro Da Ascencao Shop 'Tax Free'
How to recover VAT on your purchases in Calais?
The procedure is simple and fast. When checking out, simply ask for a tax refund slip and its barcode and make sure it is filled out properly. Before boarding the ferry or taking the Channel Tunnel, the PABLO terminals, located after customs checks, allow you to scan your slip and finalize your reimbursement request in a few seconds.
A few precautions will make it easier to pass through customs. All items declared must be unused and kept in their original packaging, including food and drink items. Customs officials may ask to see them, so it is recommended to keep them accessible.
List of eligible businesses
A stay between shopping and discoveries
Coming to Calais for a day or a weekend is also an opportunity to enjoy the coastline and the local heritage. After a shopping session, the beach and the Calais Dragon offer an ideal break facing the sea. The historic center reveals its treasures with theCity Hall and its belfry listed by UNESCO, the famous statue of the Bourgeois Rodin and several museums that tell the history and know-how of the region.
Between good deals and cultural discoveries, a trip to Calais is an opportunity to get a change of scenery, fill your suitcases and leave with the desire to return.
Top 5 must-sees in Calais
©Nohcab ©Fred Collier