Italy charges 22% VAT (IVA) on most goods. Non-EU residents can claim a refund on purchases over €70.01 per shop per day. That €500 leather jacket? You get ~€80 back. The €200 pair of shoes? ~€32 back. The process takes 5 minutes at the shop and 10 minutes at the airport. Most tourists don't know about it or think it's too complicated. It's not.
1. At the shop: Tell the cashier "Posso avere il modulo Tax Free?" (Can I have the Tax Free form?). Spend minimum €70.01 in a single shop, single transaction. Show your passport. They'll give you a Tax Free form (Global Blue, Planet, or shop's own). 2. At the airport: BEFORE checking luggage: find the Customs (Dogana) desk. Show: passport, Tax Free forms, purchases (keep items accessible — customs may inspect). Get the customs STAMP on each form. 3. After stamp: Go to the Global Blue / Planet refund counter (after security, in departures) or drop stamped forms in the refund mailbox. Refund: credit card (2-4 weeks) or cash (minus service fee).
YES: Fashion, leather goods, jewelry, electronics, wine/food (sealed), cosmetics, art, crafts. NO: Services (hotels, restaurants, tours), consumables already used, items shipped separately.
Gross VAT: 22%. After service fees (Global Blue/Planet charge ~3-5%): you get approximately 14-16% back. On a €1,000 shopping day: €140-160 refund. Cash refund at airport: immediate but higher fee. Credit card: lower fee, 2-4 weeks wait.