The Jersey Government and Global Blue Introduce Digital Tax Free Shopping

Starting next month, international visitors to Jersey will benefit from a newly digitized Tax Free Shopping scheme, introduced through a partnership between the Government of Jersey and Global Blue.

As part of Jersey’s Visitor Economy Strategy, this modernized service is designed to strengthen the Island’s appeal as a premier shopping destination and encourage higher spending from tourists. It reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic growth for local retailers.

This next-generation, fully digital and paperless Tax Free Shopping service will simplify and enhance the shopping experience for international travelers, making it easier to claim savings at departure.

The upgraded scheme includes the installation of user-friendly kiosks and booths at key exit points, ensuring a fast, seamless refund process for departing visitors. This move marks a significant step forward in modernizing Jersey’s tourism infrastructure and supporting local retailers. The fully digital service provides:

• A secure and compliant transaction flow
• Real-time refund status tracking via the Global Blue App
• A frictionless customer journey, from store to departure

International shoppers can now take advantage of savings on the price of eligible goods:

• Fashion and Accessories
• Cosmetics
• Watches and Jewelry
• Leather Goods

Under this new joint initiative, all eligible international visitors who are non-residents and non-nationals of Jersey, and spend over £100 in a single day  or multiple purchases from the same retailer on the same day, are eligible for a GST refund, minus a small admin fee. To qualify, shoppers must present their passport and depart Jersey within 31 days of purchase.

Retailers will benefit from a simplified sales process: sales will be treated as domestic transactions in their GST returns, while Global Blue manages the tourist refund and reclaims the GST directly from the Government of Jersey.

Retailers registered with Global Blue will have access to a user-friendly online solution to issue Tax Free transactions at point of sale. Following onboarding, retailers will receive full training and support to guide tourists through the Tax Free process.

To support shoppers throughout their journey, Global Blue is introducing two digital solutions:

• Global Blue App – Designed for frequent travelers, this Tax Free Shopping companion delivers a seamless and personalized experience. It supports tourists at every stage of their Tax Free Shopping journey with features such as live tax refund tracking, advance store mapping, multilingual support, and comprehensive shopping guides.
• Mobile Customer Care - Created for infrequent Tax Free shoppers, this digital companion offers real-time support across Jersey island. Travelers receive real-time prompts and multilingual guidance to complete their tax refunds quickly and easily without the need for additional apps or platforms.

Departing travelers must digitally validate their purchases at self-service kiosks at Jersey Airport or Harbour before claiming their refund, providing a quick and seamless experience for travelers when exporting goods. Refunds will be issued directly to the payment card used in-store, within a few working days. Cash refunds will not be available.

In the words of Derrick Hardman, Global Blue Regional COO: “We’re proud to have partnered with the Government of Jersey to launch one of the world’s most advanced and digitally-driven Tax Free Shopping schemes. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the Island’s retail and tourism sectors, and we look forward to supporting Jersey in unlocking its full potential on the global stage.”

To support the launch of the new Tax Free Shopping scheme in Jersey, Global Blue will participate in key events for local retailers and merchants:

• A joint webinar, held by the Government of Jersey and Global Blue, on the morning of June 16, designed to outline the digital Tax Free Shopping process, reach a wider audience of merchants and provide detailed insights into registration, onboarding, and daily operations.
• An in-person evening event for retailers to meet Global Blue, on June 16, to be held in the Government Offices.
• Global Blue will also participate in the Highlands Retail conference on July 10, held in Jersey, offering a further opportunity to deep dive into the scheme’s benefits and the digital solutions being introduced.

All sessions will offer interactive Q&A opportunities, allowing merchants to ask questions, address concerns, and understand how the program will benefit their business.

Retailers interested in joining the scheme can register via Global Blue’s website. Upon registration, they will:

• Receive comprehensive onboarding and training
• Gain access to Global Blue’s suite of value-added services
• Be included in upcoming promotional campaigns targeting international visitors to Jersey

The launch of the digital Tax Free Shopping scheme in Jersey brings significant value to all parties involved.

International visitors benefit from increased purchasing power, a seamless and guaranteed refund process, and an enhanced shopping journey. Retailers gain access to incremental sales opportunities, improved brand visibility, and a simplified, fully digital solution to issue Tax Free transactions. Meanwhile, Jersey’s Authorities benefit from higher tourist appeal and fully compliant, secure digital operations. This initiative supports the Island’s wider ambition to modernize its tourism infrastructure and strengthen its retail economy.