Customs and VAT Refunds

Tax Duty

When bringing goods into the Czech Republic, there are limits set on certain commodities. If a certain quantity is exceeded, duty must be paid, and the importer is required to inform customs of the amount of the commodity he or she is bringing into the country.

Travelling to Prague: Should you arrive straight from a different country of the EU, you can carry an unrestricted quantity of the majority of items into Prague, including tobacco and alcohol, providing these are carried by you and solely for your personal use.

Departing Prague: Should you travel out of Prague to a different country of the EU, you can carry an unrestricted quantity of the majority of items, including tobacco and alcohol, providing they are carried by you and solely for your personal use. For people travelling back to the United Kingdom, the official position is that officers from customs will be more likely to challenge you if you are carrying more than the below quantities: 400 cigarillos. 3200 cigarettes. Three kilograms of smoking tobacco. 200 cigars. Ten litres of spirits. Twenty litres of fortified wine (like sherry or port). Ninety litres of wine.

Items for Personal Use

The amount differs according to the country from which the goods are being brought in. Greater amounts are allowed to pass between EU countries than to and from third countries. For more information on the quantity of goods that you can bring into the country, visit the Czech Customs Service website (www.celnisprava.cz)

Bringing Currency Into the Country

When bringing in currency, travellers’ cheques or credit notes worth more than 15,000 euros, the Czech Finance Ministry must be informed of the sum by filling in a form available at customs.

VAT Refunds

Tourists from countries outside the EU may request VAT to be returned on purchases over 2,000 CZK. They should produce a receipt bearing the retailer’s stamp and an export form at the border and prove that they have the item with them to the customs officer. The money is returned to the customer returning to the Czech Republic at the retailer or Prague Ruzyně Airport through a special company. A purchaser loses the right to have VAT returned if he or she fails to do the above within six months of the purchase being made. www.globalblue.com