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Shopping in another country: guarantee, returns, VAT and what you can bring back

What guarantee you get on what you buy while travelling, when you can return it, when you get VAT back and how much you can bring without paying tax.

General information, not legal advice. What you’re entitled to depends on your trip, the country, the carrier and the rules in force. If your case is complicated, check with the relevant authority or a professional. More in the terms of use.

The guarantee: two years across the EU

  • If what you buy is faulty, broken or doesn’t work as advertised, the seller must repair or replace it free of charge; if they can’t, or take too long, you’re entitled to all or part of your money back. It lasts at least two years from when you receive it, and each country’s law may give more.
  • If the fault appears in the first year, you don’t have to prove it was there before: it’s presumed, unless the seller proves otherwise.
  • It doesn’t cover what you buy from a private individual. Second-hand goods bought from a professional are covered; some countries allow agreeing to less than two years, but never less than one.
  • A commercial guarantee from the shop or manufacturer can give you more, but never take away the legal one.

If you want to return it

The fourteen days to change your mind without giving a reason are for what you buy online, by phone or at your door. They don’t apply to plane or train tickets, event tickets or hotel or car hire bookings for set dates.

VAT

  • Shopping in the EU, you pay VAT only once, in the country where you buy. You can take it home without declaring anything at the border if it’s for you or your family and not for resale.
  • If you live outside the EU, you can get the VAT back on what you buy here: you must show it at customs when leaving the EU, within three months of purchase, with the refund documents, and customs must validate it before you leave. Each country has its own procedure, and some require a minimum purchase.
  • If you buy online from a shop outside the EU, you always pay VAT, customs duties and excise duties.

What you can bring back

  • Between EU countries, alcohol and tobacco for your own use already include their taxes. To check it’s for personal use, each country may set guide levels, never below 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine or 110 litres of beer. If customs suspects it’s for sale, they may ask for your proof of purchase.
  • If you enter the EU from outside, including from the Canary Islands, you can bring tax-free 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer, plus 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of sparkling or fortified wine. Tobacco, between 40 and 200 cigarettes depending on the country.
  • All other shopping, perfume included, up to 300 euros per person, or 430 euros if you travel by air or sea. Travellers under 17 can’t bring alcohol or tobacco tax-free.

If what you bought breaks down

  1. Complain to the seller, even if they’re in another country: they must repair or replace it free of charge.
  2. Do it with evidence, such as the receipt or invoice: trying to settle it with them is the first step.
  3. If they’re in another EU country and don’t sort it out, the European Consumer Centre in your own country helps you for free and in your language. There are also dispute resolution bodies, which finish within 90 days.

None of the official sources we have read gives each country’s minimum purchase for a VAT refund, or what each non-EU country lets in: check before you buy.

More traveller rights and rules

You may also need

Official sources

Last reviewed: 19 October 2026