Shopping in Romania?
Don't forget the VAT.
If you are a non-EU resident making eligible purchases in Romania, you can submit your VAT refund documents at the Ask For Tax Free point at Sculeni Customs.
The Sculeni point collects the Tax Free documents. The VAT refund is paid later, by bank transfer, after verification and processing.
A document collection point, right at Sculeni Customs
Travellers returning from Romania to the Republic of Moldova through Sculeni can leave their Tax Free documents at the Ask For Tax Free point inside the customs area. The documents are collected there and processed afterwards.
The VAT is not refunded on the spot. Payment is made by bank transfer, after verification.
Planning to shop in Romania?
To qualify for a VAT refund, your purchases must be made in authorized Tax Free stores. Check the list of partner stores before you go shopping.
- 1Shop in authorized Tax Free stores
- 2Ask for the invoice and the VAT refund document
- 3Keep the documents for customs
- 4Get the customs stamp when leaving the EU
You can benefit from Tax Free if:
You are a resident outside the European Union
You buy goods, not services
You shop in authorized Tax Free stores
Your purchases exceed 175 euros
You take the goods out of the EU within 90 days
Your documents are stamped by customs
How to submit your documents for the VAT refund
Shop in Romania
In authorized Tax Free stores.
Ask for the Tax Free documents
Right at the store checkout.
Get the customs stamp
When leaving the European Union.
Submit the documents at Sculeni
At the Ask For Tax Free point inside customs.
Receive your money
By bank transfer, after verification and processing.
The VAT is not refunded on the spot at the Sculeni point.
What you need to have ready
- The original VAT refund document, validated with the customs stamp
- A copy of the invoice, validated with the customs stamp
- Proof of payment
- Your bank transfer details
Ask for the Tax Free documents in the store before leaving the checkout.
What is Tax Free? Quick guide
What is Tax Free?
Tax Free means that non-EU citizens can get back the VAT paid on goods bought in Romania and taken home.
Important: The service applies to goods, not services.
You can benefit from Tax Free if:
- You are a resident outside the European Union;
- You buy goods from authorized Tax Free stores;
- Your purchases are worth more than 175 euros;
- You take the goods out of the EU within 90 days of purchase;
- You have the required documents stamped by customs.
When shopping, remember to ask for:
- the invoice;
- the VAT refund document;
- proof of payment.
Quick tip: Tell the store you want Tax Free documents before leaving the checkout.
What do you do when leaving Romania?
At customs:
- present the purchased goods;
- present the invoice and the VAT refund document;
- ask for the customs stamp on the documents.
Then leave the documents at the Ask For Tax Free point at Sculeni Customs, and the money reaches you by bank transfer.
Where do you submit the documents?
Ask For Tax Free point
At the entrance to the Republic of Moldova from Romania.
The point collects the documents. Processing and payment happen afterwards.
Easier for those returning to the Republic of Moldova
Submit your documents at customs
Avoid extra trips
A dedicated point for Tax Free documents
Money by bank transfer after processing
Important: the VAT is not refunded on the spot at Sculeni
The Ask For Tax Free point at Sculeni Customs is a document collection point for VAT refunds. The documents are received, verified and processed afterwards, and payment is made by bank transfer.
- Tax Free documents are collected at Sculeni
- The documents must be stamped by customs
- Payment is not made on the spot
- The VAT refund is paid later, after processing
- The timeframe may vary depending on document verification
Frequently asked questions
Returning from Romania through Sculeni?
Prepare your Tax Free documents and submit them at the Ask For Tax Free point at Sculeni Customs.