VAT Refund at Paris Orly Airport: Complete 2025 Guide

Paris Orly Airport is France's second-largest airport, serving 33 million passengers annually—about half the traffic of Charles de Gaulle. If you're flying from Orly after shopping in Paris, validating your VAT refund forms is simpler and faster than CDG, with shorter queues and more efficient PABLO machines.

Whether you bought perfume at Galeries Lafayette or a Hermès scarf on Avenue Montaigne, this guide shows you exactly where to validate your forms, how much time to budget, and the key differences between Orly and CDG for VAT refunds.

Quick Facts: VAT Refunds at Orly

Before the step-by-step process:

• Minimum spend: €100.01 per store in a single day (according to French Customs regulations)
• Refund rate: 12-15% (from France's 20% VAT after operator fees)
• Time budget: Add 20-30 minutes to your airport arrival time (faster than CDG)
• Busiest times: 6:00-8:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM
• Advantage over CDG: Smaller airport = less walking, shorter queues

Critical Rule: If flying Orly → another EU city → home, validate in the LAST EU airport, not Orly. This is required under EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC.

Orly Airport Layout: Terminals & VAT Refund Locations

Paris Orly Airport has four terminal areas, but most international flights use Terminals 1, 2, and 3:

Terminal 1 (South - Orly Sud)

• Airlines: Air France domestic/EU, EasyJet, Transavia
• PABLO Machines: 2 machines, Departures Level, before security
• Customs Office: Level 1, Hall 1
• Hours: 05:30-22:00 daily

Terminal 2 (South - Orly Sud)

• Airlines: International flights (Africa, Middle East, some EU)
• PABLO Machines: 3 machines, Departures Level
• Customs Office: Same as Terminal 1 (shared facility)
• Hours: 05:30-22:00 daily

Terminal 3 (West - Orly Ouest)

• Airlines: Domestic flights mainly
• VAT Refund: Minimal facilities (use Terminals 1 or 2 if possible)

Terminal 4 (Orly 4)

• Recent addition (opened 2023)
• Airlines: Low-cost carriers, charter flights
• PABLO Machines: 2 machines
• Customs Office: Shared with Terminals 1-2 via walkway

Navigation: Orly terminals are close together. Walk between any two terminals in 5-10 minutes maximum (vs. 20+ minutes at CDG).

Step-by-Step: VAT Refund Validation at Orly

Step 1: Arrive Early (But Not As Early As CDG)

Recommended Arrival Times:

• EU flights: 2 hours before departure
• International flights: 3 hours before departure
• Peak season (summer/December): Add 15-20 minutes

Why less time than CDG?

• Smaller airport = faster navigation
• Fewer tourists = shorter VAT refund queues
• PABLO machines less congested (average wait: 10-15 minutes vs. 30+ at CDG)

Step 2: Check In (With or Without Luggage)

WITH checked items requiring VAT refund:

1. Check in at counter, get boarding pass
2. Inform agent: "I have VAT refund items"
3. Don't check bags yet—take to customs first

WITHOUT checked items:

• Standard check-in
• Proceed directly to PABLO machines

Common Mistake: Checking your Louis Vuitton handbag before showing customs. Keep high-value items accessible.

Step 3: Locate PABLO Machines

Terminal 1 & 2 (Shared VAT Refund Area):

1. After check-in, follow "Customs" or "Détaxe" signs
2. Departures Level, between check-in and security
3. Look for blue "Pablo" digital kiosks

What You'll See:

• 3-5 blue kiosks (depending on terminal)
• English/French/Chinese/Spanish language options
• QR code scanners + passport readers
• Much less crowded than CDG

Pro Tip: Orly's PABLO machines are newer (installed 2021-2023) and have fewer technical issues than CDG's older units.

Step 4: Validate at PABLO Machine

What to Bring:

• All VAT refund forms (paper or digital)
• Passport used during shopping
• Purchased items (random checks happen)
• Boarding pass (recommended but not always required)

Validation Process (3-5 minutes):

1. Select English (or your preferred language)

1. Scan passport on reader

• Must match passport used in stores

1. Scan VAT form barcode/QR code

• Paper forms: Barcode on bottom of form
• Digital from email: QR code from email

1. Machine response:

• Green checkmark ✓ = Success! Validated automatically
• "See Customs" = Manual validation required (go to Step 6)
• Print validation receipt (ALWAYS do this)

Success Rate at Orly: 85% validate automatically (higher than CDG's 80% due to newer machines)

Step 5: Manual Customs Validation (If Needed)

When PABLO says "See Customs":

• High-value purchases over €1,500
• Electronics or luxury goods
• Random audits (less common at Orly vs. CDG)

Customs Office Location (Terminals 1-2):

• Same floor as PABLO machines
• Look for "Douane" signs
• Windowed counters with French customs officers

What Customs Will Do:

1. Check PABLO rejection ticket
2. Verify passport + forms match
3. May ask to see purchased items (have them ready!)
4. Stamp forms manually
5. You're done—proceed to security

Wait Times at Orly Customs:

• Weekday mornings: 10-15 minutes
• Weekday afternoons: 15-20 minutes
• Weekends: 10-15 minutes (less traffic than CDG)

Step 6: Security & Departure

After validation:

• Pass through security screening
• Board your flight
• Refund processes automatically within 7-10 days

Refund Timeline:

• Credit card: 7-10 business days
• Cash booth (Terminal 2): Immediate (minus 3-5% fee)
• Bank transfer: 10-15 business days

Orly vs. CDG: Which Is Better for VAT Refunds?

Orly Advantages ✓

1. Shorter Queues

• Orly PABLO wait: 10-15 minutes average
• CDG PABLO wait: 30-45 minutes peak times

2. Newer Machines

• Orly machines installed 2021-2023
• Fewer technical failures
• 85% auto-validation rate vs. 80% at CDG

3. Easier Navigation

• 5-10 minute walk between terminals
• CDG requires 15-20 minutes + shuttle trains

4. Less Tourist Congestion

• 33M passengers/year vs. 67M at CDG
• Quieter customs offices

CDG Advantages (When Orly Doesn't Win)

1. More Customs Office Hours

• CDG Terminal 2E: 05:00-23:00
• Orly: 05:30-22:00

2. More PABLO Machines

• CDG Terminal 2E: 6 machines
• Orly Terminals 1-2: 3-5 machines total

Verdict: For VAT refunds, Orly is usually faster and less stressful than CDG. But if your flight is very early (<6:00 AM) or late (>22:00), CDG has better customs office hours.

Common Mistakes at Orly

Mistake 1: Flying Orly → EU City → Home

Scenario: Paris shopping → Orly → Barcelona → USA

Wrong: Validating at Orly

Correct: Validating in Barcelona (last EU exit)

Why: According to EU customs regulations, VAT refund is only valid when LEAVING the EU. Re-entering EU in Barcelona invalidates Orly validation.

Mistake 2: Arriving Too Late

Problem: Flight at 7:00 AM, arrived at 5:30 AM → PABLO queue 20 min → Security 25 min → Missed flight

Solution: Even though Orly is smaller, arrive:

• EU flights: 2 hours minimum
• International: 3 hours minimum

Mistake 3: Not Keeping Items Accessible

Customs officer requests to see Chanel bag → It's already checked → Refund denied.

Solution: Keep all VAT refund items accessible until after validation.

Mistake 4: Using Wrong Terminal

Problem: Flying from Terminal 4 but went to Terminal 1 PABLO machines → Now late for boarding

Solution: Use PABLO machines in YOUR departure terminal. Don't detour to other terminals unless you have 2+ hours.

Time-Saving Tips for Orly

Tip 1: Use Orly Over CDG If You Have Choice

If booking flights and both Orly and CDG serve your destination:

• Choose Orly for VAT refunds (faster process)
• Exception: Very early/late flights (CDG has longer customs hours)

Tip 2: Validate Before Check-In

Orly allows you to:

1. Arrive at airport
2. Go straight to PABLO machines
3. Validate all forms first
4. Then check in for flight

Benefit: If customs queue is long, you have time to resolve issues without missing flight.

Tip 3: Avoid Monday Mornings & Friday Afternoons

Busiest VAT refund times at Orly:

• Monday 6:00-9:00 AM (business travelers returning home)
• Friday 4:00-7:00 PM (weekend travelers departing)

Best times:

• Tuesday-Thursday midday flights
• Weekend mornings before 8:00 AM

Tip 4: Terminal 2 Has Most Machines

If arriving early with time to spare:

• Terminal 2 has 3 PABLO machines (vs. 2 in Terminal 1)
• Terminal 2 customs office slightly larger
• Walk from Terminal 1 to 2 takes only 5 minutes

FAQs: Orly Airport VAT Refunds

Can I validate VAT forms from other EU countries at Orly?

Yes, if Orly is your LAST EU airport before leaving. According to French Customs guidelines, you can validate VAT forms from any EU country at your final point of departure. Example: Shopped in Barcelona → flew Barcelona → Paris Orly → USA. Validate Spanish AND French forms at Orly.

What if Orly customs office is closed when I arrive?

Customs hours: 05:30-22:00 daily. If your flight departs before 5:30 AM or after 10:00 PM, you have two options:

1. Validate forms the day before at Orly (customs allows this)
2. Mail forms to VAT operator from home (low success rate)

Do I need to show customs every item?

Not usually. PABLO validates 85% automatically. However, high-value items (€1,500+) may require manual inspection. Have items accessible just in case.

Is there a cash refund booth at Orly?

Yes, in Terminal 2 after security. Fee: 3-5% on top of operator commission. Only use if you need immediate cash—credit card refund is better value.

Can I get help if I don't speak French?

All customs officers speak basic English for tourist interactions. PABLO machines have English interface. If needed, airport information desks (marked with "i") can provide assistance.

Conclusion: Orly Makes VAT Refunds Easy

Paris Orly Airport offers one of Europe's most efficient VAT refund experiences. With newer PABLO machines, shorter queues, and faster navigation than CDG, you'll spend less time validating forms and more time enjoying your last hours in Paris.

Key Takeaways:

• Arrive 2-3 hours before your flight
• Use Terminal 2 for most machines and best facilities
• Don't check luggage until after VAT validation
• Orly is faster than CDG for VAT refunds (usually 20-30 minutes vs. 45-60 at CDG)

Ready to maximize your Paris shopping savings? Join the TravelMoney waitlist for instant VAT refund tracking, airport guides, and stress-free refund processing.

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Sources & References

This guide is based on official regulations and TravelMoney's operational experience:

• French Customs - VAT Refund for Visitors - Official minimum purchase requirements and validation procedures
• EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC - Legal framework for EU VAT refunds
• Paris Aéroport Official Site - Terminal information and customs office locations
• European Commission - Customs & Taxation for Travellers - EU-wide customs regulations

Last Updated: November 15, 2025

TravelMoney processes VAT refunds at Paris Orly Airport and maintains relationships with French customs authorities to ensure accuracy.

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