Having recently moved to Spain, I’ve been exploring various money-saving hacks. I discovered a benefit that many might overlook with Amazon Spain direct shipping: as non-EU passport holders, we can actually claim a refund on the IVA (VAT) for purchases on Amazon Spain! While it doesn’t apply to all products, every little bit adds up, and you can save a decent amount over a year. Today, I’m sharing my recently successful experience to help anyone who might find it useful.
Who is eligible for a tax refund?
First, you need to determine if you’re eligible. Simply put, you just need to meet the following conditions:
- Identity: You must hold a non-EU passport and have legal residency in Spain.
- Shipping Address: The delivery address must be within mainland Spain or the Balearic Islands. The Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla have separate tax policies, so this method does not apply there.
- Products: The items must be shipped and sold by Amazon. Items from third-party sellers are not eligible! This is very important, so be sure to check before placing your order.
Step-by-Step Refund Process
The process isn’t complicated; it mainly involves communicating with customer service and submitting documents. A little patience is all you need.
Step 1: Place Your Order and Receive It
Place your order on Amazon.es as usual. After you receive your items, go to the “Mis pedidos” (My Orders) page, find the relevant order, and click “Descargar factura” (Download invoice) to get the official invoice. Note, this is not the simplified order summary. You need the formal invoice with the IVA number and itemized details, which is different from general information you might find about Amazon Spain taxes and fees.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
This is a crucial step. You need to prepare clear scans or photos of the following documents:
| Document | Description |
|---|
| Order Invoice | The PDF file downloaded from your Amazon account |
| Passport Info Page | The page with your photo, name, and passport number |
| Residence Card | Both the front and back sides are required |
Step 3: Contact Customer Service to Request the Refund
Once your documents are ready, it’s time to contact Amazon customer service. Go to “Atención al cliente” (Customer Service) on the website and choose to contact them via email or live chat. You can start the conversation by saying, “Soy residente en España con pasaporte no comunitario y quisiera solicitar la devolución del IVA de mi pedido.” (I am a resident in Spain with a non-EU passport and would like to request an IVA refund for my order.). Customer service will likely send a template response listing the required documents. Simply reply with the files you prepared in the previous step as attachments. The whole process takes a few days. Once Amazon approves your request, the refund will be credited back to your original payment method. I recently bought a vacuum cleaner and got almost €40 back—it felt like a free fancy meal, so satisfying!
Keep in mind that digital products like e-books and apps are not eligible for a tax refund. Additionally, this policy can change, just like the terms for [Amazon Spain direct shipping] can, so it’s always best to confirm with customer service before you act. Happy shopping, and even happier saving!
