The Horizon Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through our comprehensive list of the most common questions.

• How will I know if a shop is affiliated with the Horizon Tax Free Shopping service?

   

  The shop will display the Horizon Tax Free shopping sticker. Alternatively, see here for a comprehensive list of “affiliated Shops”.

• Where can I register my Horizon Card?

   

  You can register your Horizon Card in 3 ways: 1. Online at www.shoptaxfree.com. Click REGISTER YOUR CARD and complete the requested information. 2. At Dublin, Shannon or Cork desks or kiosks airport before you fly home. 3. After you return home, claim your refund and complete the requested information. It is a good idea to register the Horizon Card as soon as you receive it so that if the card is lost, you may still get your VAT refund. Please note: Registering your Horizon Card does not mean you have claimed your VAT refund. VAT refunds can only be claimed on day of departure or afterwards.

• How do I claim my VAT refund if departing from Dublin, Shannon or Cork Airport?

   

  Present your Horizon Card at the Horizon Tax Free Refund Desk at Dublin or Shannon airport prior to departing Ireland or by using the Self Service Kiosks present in Dublin/Shannon and Cork Airports. Be sure to allow yourself ample time to visit the desk or kiosks, and have your boarding pass, credit card and passport ready for viewing/processing. Please ensure you enter the correct details as failure to do so can result in a delay in processing

  Self Service Kiosk Locations:

  Dublin T1: A Fexco self service kiosk is positioned in Pier B, towards gates 301 – 313, adjacent to the Dixon retail unit.

  Dublin T2: There are 3 self service kiosks positioned in the departures area of T2, follow generic signage to VAT RETURNS.

  Shannon Airport: There are 2 self service kiosks available adjacent to the office in the Departures area of Shannon Airport

  Cork Airport: There is a self service kiosk placed in the departure gates area of Cork Airport where you can process your transactions.

  Please note: if an individual purchase is €2,000 or over you must have Customs verification prior to departure. If this is the case, please be sure you leave sufficient time to visit the Customs desk as each item must be presented to Customs, along with the receipt, before any VAT refund can be approved. The Horizon Tax Free Refund Desk at Dublin or Shannon airport can print a copy of the transaction if you have used a Horizon Card. This copy is stamped by Customs on inspection of the goods.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I don’t have time to visit the Horizon Tax Free Refund Desk at Shannon or Dublin Airport?

   

  Don’t worry, once your Horizon Card is registered, you can claim your VAT refund from home as follows:

  1. Register your Horizon Card online at www.shoptaxfree.com and completed the requested information.

  2. Click Claim your Refund and complete the requested information.

  3. A report (in a PDF format) of all your transactions will be generated once you complete your Claim.

  4. Print the PDF report and have it stamped by one of the following:

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  5. Mail the stamped report to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Note: Scanned or emailed copies of the PDF report cannot be accepted.

  Alternatively you can use our Fexco self service kiosks which will process your refund in less than 3 minutes. Our kiosks locations are as follows:

  Dublin T1: A Fexco self service kiosk is positioned in Pier B, towards gates 301 – 320, adjacent to the Dixon retail unit.

  Dublin T2: There are 3 self service kiosks positioned in the departures area of T2, follow generic signage to VAT RETURNS.

  Shannon Airport: There are 2 self service kiosks available adjacent to the office in the Departures area of Shannon Airport.

  Cork Airport: There is a self service kiosk placed in the departure gates area of Cork Airport where you can process your transactions.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I am flying from Cork Airport?

   

  If you are flying from Cork Airport and have used the Horizon Card, please visit the Customs desk at the airport.

  The Customs desk is located in the Arrivals hall of the airport, across from the Information desk. Here you will be presented with a Horizon Tax Free envelope. Please ensure you complete all required information on the envelope, enclose the Horizon Card, and place the envelope in the Customs post box.

  You may also use the Fexco self service kiosk available in the departure area of Cork Airport. You can register and process your refund via this Kiosk. Please have your passport number, boarding card and credit card details ready when utilising the kiosk.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I don’t have time to visit the Customs Desk at Cork Airport?

   

  Don’t worry, once your Horizon Card is registered, you can claim your VAT refund in one of 2 ways.

  1. Using the Fexco self service kiosk placed in the departure area at Gate 3.

  You can register your Horizon Card using the kiosk in Cork Airport

  If you have already registered your Horizon Card on arrival you will need the following details process your refund:

  1. Credit Card details
  2. Passport Number
  3. Flight Number

  OR

  2. Don’t worry, once your Horizon Card is registered, you can claim your VAT refund from home as follows:

  1. Register your Horizon Card online at www.shoptaxfree.com and completed the requested information.

  2. Click Claim your Refund and complete the requested information.

  3. A report (in a PDF format) of all your transactions will be generated once you complete your Claim.

  4. Print the PDF report and have it stamped by one of the following:

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  5. Mail the stamped report to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Note: Scanned or emailed copies of the PDF report cannot be accepted.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I am visiting other EU countries before returning home?

   

  In order for a VAT refund to be authorised, Customs must be satisfied that you have complied with the conditions of the Retail Export Scheme. This should be certified at the final point of departure from the EU (European Union), which may not be the country where the goods were purchased.

  If Ireland is not the last point of departure from the EU, Irish Customs Officers will certify a refund of VAT for goods purchased in Ireland subject to evidence that you have a ticket for a destination outside of the EU and are departing the EU within 24 hours.

  If you are not departing the EU within 24 hours, please follow these steps on your final day of departure from the EU:

  1. Register your Horizon Card online at www.shoptaxfree.com and complete the requested information.

  2. Click Claim your Refund and complete the requested information.

  3. A report (in a PDF format) of all your transactions will be generated once you complete your Claim.

  4. Print the PDF report and have it stamped by one of the following:

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  5. Mail the stamped report to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Note: Scanned or emailed copies of the PDF report cannot be accepted.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I leave through a regional airport or Ferry Port?

   

  If you leave Ireland by ferry or through a regional airport other than Dublin, Shannon or Cork airport, you will need to claim your VAT refund online as follows:

  1. Register your Horizon Card online at www.shoptaxfree.com and completed the requested information.

  2. Click Claim your Refund and complete the requested information.

  3. A report (in a PDF format) of all your transactions will be generated once you complete your Claim.

  4. Print the PDF report and have it stamped by one of the following:

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e.Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  5. Mail the stamped report to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Note: Scanned or emailed copies of the PDF report cannot be accepted.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if the Horizon Tax Free Refund Desk is closed?

   

  The self service kiosks in Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports are operational 24 hours. You can register your card and process your refund on line using the kiosks.

  Please have the following information ready in order to process your refund using the self service kiosks:

  1. Credit Card details
  2. Passport Number
  3. Boarding Card

  Envelopes are also available at the Horizon Tax Free Refund Desks at Dublin and Shannon airports. Please complete ALL requested information on the envelope and place in the post box provided. It is a good idea to take note of the Horizon Card number for future reference.

  Alternatively, you may bring the Horizon Card home with you and claim your refund online as follows:

  1. Register your Horizon Card online at www.shoptaxfree.com and completed the requested information.

  2. Click Claim your Refund and complete the requested information.

  3. A report (in a PDF format) of all your transactions will be generated once you complete your Claim.

  4. Print the PDF report and have it stamped by one of the following:

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  5. Mail the stamped report to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Note: Scanned or emailed copies of the PDF report cannot be accepted.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I had the VAT deducted at the store?

   

  When the VAT is deducted by the retailer at the point of sale, you don’t pay the VAT. Prior to your departure from Ireland you must visit either Dublin or Shannon Airport Refund Desks or our kiosks at Dublin, Shannon or Cork to process your refund. You may also place a completed envelope into our “post and save” box provided or complete your refund claim online. There is a 30-day period within which claims for refunds must be made.

  Please note: For transactions in which the VAT was deducted by the retailer at the point of sale and the Horizon Card has not been returned, registered, or claimed online, then the VAT will be charged back to your credit card plus an administration fee.

• What happens if I lose my Horizon Card?

   

  You can simply pick up another card and keep shopping! You may still obtain a refund for the lost cards transactions if you know your Horizon Card number.

  Horizon Tax Free would advise all customers to register their Horizon Card number and keep it with their travel documents.

• Do I have to pay by credit card to use the Horizon Card?

   

  No, you can pay by cash or credit card, however, if you pay by cash and you want to avail of the VAT OFF option (VAT deducted by the retailer at the point of sale) you must provide a credit card and authorise Horizon Tax Free to charge your credit card if you do not present your Horizon Card at the airport upon departure.

  If your purchases are VAT ON (VAT was not deducted by the retailer at the point of sale), you may pay by cash but still need a credit card to claim your VAT refund.

• I am having problems entering the departure date when claiming my VAT refund:

   

  The departure date must be entered in the following format:

  DD-MM-YYYY (e.g. 26-02-2011)

  Departure dates in the future will not be accepted.

• Does Fexco apply a fee to this service?

   

  Yes Fexco applies a fee for the Horizon service. The fee amount is based on what you spend. Please ask a member of staff at the airport office or call our helpdesk who can tell you what the exact fee is for your transactions

• I did not receive a PDF report of my card transactions:

   

  Ensure you have clicked Claim your Refund on www.shoptaxfree.com and that you have completed the process by clicking Get Refund.

  A PDF report of your transactions will be generated when you claim your refund.

  In some cases PDF reports may go to SPAM on your email account. Please check your SPAM mail.

• Why do I need to send Horizon Tax Free a stamped PDF report?

   

  An original stamped PDF report is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU. These conditions are a requirement of the EU Retail Export Scheme and Value Added Tax Acts (Ireland) of 1976 & 2006.

• What should I do if I have a Horizon Tax Free voucher and I am departing from Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airport?

   

  If you are departing from Dublin, Cork or Shannon airport, you can submit your Horizon Tax Free Shopping vouchers to the customer service representative at the Horizon Tax Free refund desk or the voucher can be deposited into the Horizon Tax Free collection box (Please ensure guidelines are followed before depositing your Horizon Tax Free voucher into the Horizon collection box).

  Horizon Tax Free Shopping cannot issue VAT refunds on store receipts or till receipts.

  Please note: Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What should I do if I have a Horizon Tax Free Voucher and I am departing from a regional airport or ferry port?

   

  Ensure all personal details requested on the Horizon Tax Free Shopping voucher have been fully completed. Once completed each Horizon Tax Free Shopping voucher must be stamped by one of the following (This is required as proof that the goods were exported from the EU);

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  Mail the stamped Horizon Tax Free Shopping Paper Vouchers to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Horizon Tax Free Shopping cannot issue VAT refunds on store receipts or till receipts.

  Please note: Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• What happens if I arrive home with Horizon Tax Free Shopping Paper Vouchers?

   

  Don’t worry, you can claim your VAT / Sales Tax refund from home.

  Ensure all personal details requested on the Horizon Tax Free Shopping Paper Voucher are completed.

  Each Horizon Tax Free Shopping voucher must be stamped by one of the following;

  a. HM Revenue & Customs official

  b. Notary Public

  c. Justice of the Peace

  d. Police Officer—badge number and precinct address must be included

  e. Commissioners for Oaths

  This is requested as proof that the goods were exported from the EU.

  Mail the stamped Horizon Tax Free Shopping Paper Vouchers to the following address:

  Horizon Tax Free
  Transit Lounge
  Shannon Airport
  Co. Clare
  Ireland

  Please note: VAT refunds are not given on store receipts/till receipts.

  Additional conditions apply to residents of Great Britain. Click here

• Is my personal information safe?

   

  Yes. Horizon Tax Free is fully compliant with the standards set forth by the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry – Data Security Standard) certification.

• How long does it take to get a refund?

   

  Your refund is processed as soon as it is received, and in the case of VAT ON transactions, a refund will be credited to your credit card. A refund takes 4 to 6 weeks depending on your credit card company.

• What are the Terms & Conditions?

   

  Click here for the Terms & Conditions.

  You can also request the Horizon Tax Free Shopping and Horizon Card Terms & Conditions at the point of sale.

• I am a resident of Great Britain can I avail of Tax Free Shopping?

   

  Yes, now that Great Britain has withdrawn from the European Union, residents from Great Britain (excluding residents from Northern Ireland) can now avail of Tax Free Shopping when visiting Ireland.

  Additional conditions and personal allowances apply to residents from Great Britain in relation to providing proof of export. See here.

• I am a resident of Northern Ireland can I avail of Tax Free Shopping?

   

  No, residents of Northern Ireland are not eligible to avail of Tax Free Shopping.

• Why do I need to spend €75.00 before I can avail of Tax Free Shopping?

   

  In January 2021, the Irish Government introduced new legislation that required all Non-European Union visitors to spend a minimum amount of €75.00, per single transaction, before a VAT refund can be issued.