Your shopping
Excludes restaurants, hotels, services.
What this solves
The CHF 8.1% MWST looks like free money, but the refund companies take a 30%+ commission and the cashier's rebate (if any) doesn't count. Tourists over-estimate the actual return by 50%+. This tool computes the real refund, with the form-printout list and the airport desk process.
How to read the results
- Gross MWST = 8.1% of the eligible purchase.
- Provider commission = 30–35% in the industry. The actual refund is much less.
- Net refund = what hits your card. Smaller purchases don't pay.
What this calculator ignores
- Currency conversion fees on cash refunds in EUR / USD.
- Goods you cannot bring out of the EU customs zone (some watches and luxury items).
- Service charges (hotels, restaurants) — never eligible.
Common questions
What's the minimum spend?
Per receipt: CHF 300 minimum per single shop. Multi-shop totals don't combine. So buy the Läderach and the cheese in separate transactions.
Can I claim at the train station?
For Schengen travellers leaving by train: yes, at the Global Blue desks in Zurich HB, Geneva Cornavin, and Bern. For non-Schengen travellers: only at airports.
How long to receive the refund?
Card refunds: 5–14 days. Cash refunds: same day. Some providers offer same-day card refunds with a 3% extra fee.