There are now new advantages to processing VAT refunds in the eastern country.
It is no secret that in recent years Uruguay has carried out a strong campaign to promote itself as an important tourist destination in the region and to do so it has implemented a series of measures that seek to "increase its attractiveness" in the eyes of tourists. international travelers.
One of them is the implementation since 2012 of the so-called Tax Free, which is nothing more than a regime of tax refund applied to non-resident foreign touristsThis system provides for the return of 80% of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on a specific list of items purchased by travelers during their stay, such as clothing, leather goods, food and beverages, or handicrafts, among others.
Now, Uruguay is once again drawing the attention of international travelers by announcing that it has begun operating a digital self-management device This will make it easier for tourists to access this refund. This modern station is located at Carrasco Airport and makes Uruguay a pioneer in Latin America in using this system, which puts it on a par with other nations such as Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden. In this way, passengers who finish their stay in the country and go to a departure point, instead of going through the customs point, can "self-manage" the VAT refund themselves.
In Uruguay currently VAT refund applies to purchases of products over 600 Uruguayan pesos (about 21 dollars) and is completed five business days after passing through customs control. In addition to the air terminal where this computer station is installed to process the Tax Free, the paperwork can also be done at the Laguna del Sauce Airport, the Port of Montevideo, the Port of Colonia, the Punta del Este Cruise Arrivals Terminal, the Salto-Concordia Bridge, the Paysandú-Colón Bridge, the Fray Bentos-Puerto Unzué Bridge and Chuy. In the latter, the paperwork must be done at the customs offices.
Source: Emol
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
