Tax-Free Shopping in Latvia 🇱🇻

Shop tax-free in Latvia with vatfree.com! A small country located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, known for its pristine forests, beaches, and national parks, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Its capital city is Riga, which is known for its picturesque Old Town, Art Nouveau architecture, and bustling marketplaces. In terms of culture, Latvia has a rich tradition of folklore, music, and art. The country hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, showcasing its cultural heritage. Visitors can also explore the many museums and galleries in Riga, which offer a glimpse into the country's history and contemporary art scene.

Latvia also offers excellent opportunities for shopping, especially in Riga. Visitors can find everything from designer fashion and luxury goods to handmade crafts and souvenirs. Many shops offer tax-free shopping for non-EU residents, allowing them to save money on purchases! One of the most popular shopping destinations in Riga is the Central Market, which is housed in five historic zeppelin hangars and features a wide variety of food and goods. Other popular shopping areas include the Old Town, the Art Nouveau district, and the modern shopping centers located on the outskirts of the city.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Latvia

• Local currency is € Euro

• VAT is applied to all purchases

• Standard VAT rate: 21%

• Low VAT rate: 12% on food and some optical products. 

• Low VAT rate: 5% on medicines, pharmaceutical goods, books, magazines.

5 Tax-Free shopping rules

You must live at least 6 months out of each year in a non-EU country.

You must purchase goods (online or in stores) for private use to take back home to a non-EU country.

Upon purchasing goods, let the store know you will export the goods. The store will provide you with a tax-free form.

There is a minimum spend for a tax refund in Latvia. In order to be eligible for a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund, you must have spent a minimum of €175 in each store per day.

You must get a Customs export validation stamp before the end of the 3rd month, after the month of purchase. So if you buy a product in February, you can declare the product for export validation till the end of May of that year. The Customs export validation (either an ink stamp on your documentation or digitally approved) is mandatory to prove export of goods. Without this proof, no VAT refund can be issued.

Where to get Customs validation?

At the last EU departure point like the airport of Riga or upon arrival in a non-EU country. Required documentation to show the Customs officer: 

• Passport (If you have an EU passport; other proof of residence outside the EU);

• Boarding pass;

• Purchased items;

• Purchase invoices/receipts and/or tax free forms.

Good to know

At the airport, please allow enough time for Customs approval process before your flight departs. An extra 30 minutes before check-in time is usually enough.

Make sure the goods are in an unused condition.

Make sure to visit Customs before check-in as you will probably check in your main luggage. If you plan to carry the goods in your hand luggage, visit Customs after check-in if the airport map shows this option.

Make sure to take a photo of your stamped documents after visiting Customs. Upload these photos via the vatfree.com app or after logging in to your account. In case of loss, you will always have the digital copies in a safe place and the VAT refund process might still be able to take place.

If you are departing an Latvia’s airport but changing flights at another EU airport, and if the goods you are exporting are to be checked through to a destination outside the EU, go to Customs at the Latvia's airport and your documentation will be export validated as if you were at the EU departure point. If your luggage is not checked through to a destination outside the EU, you need to have your documentation export validated at the EU airport where the changing flights occur. 

In smaller airports, there may be no Customs Official present, in this case, look for the Customs deposit box and instructions.