VISITORS to Jersey have spent over £5 million on tax-free shopping since a new scheme to make GST refunds easier began in July, according to its head of sales.
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event on Friday, Dean Jones of Global Blue said shopping tax-free could make Jersey an attractive destination for tourists.
Global Blue provides a digital tax-free shopping service in Jersey for international visitors, enabling GST refunds on purchases over £100.
Tourists can use in-store forms or digital kiosks at the airport or harbour to reclaim tax on goods like fashion, electronics, and jewelry when leaving the Island within one month of purchase.
Mr Jones said that 500 forms had been filled out in 17 participating retail outlets since the Global Blue system was introduced in Jersey last year – with 80% of those completing the process and ultimately getting their GST refunded after they left the Island.
Authorities were thinking about ending the scheme tax-free shopping entirely before the digital service was introduced, he said.
“It used to be a horrible big book that really, only the jewellers were using, because the effort of doing it and sending forms, getting them back, paying people, sending things, etc, just wasn’t user-friendly,” explained Mr Jones.
“It was not something a high street store would be able to do. It’s too much time and effort.”
Global Blue, which was introduced last summer, “completely redesigned” the system by moving it online and bringing the minimum spend down to £100.
An online form is used in shops, with visitors claiming back their GST at terminals.
The scheme was launched in July, with 12 shops signed up, and 17 are now on board. At least 28 more are in discussions to join, said Mr Jones.
He hope the scheme could be a draw for visitors to Jersey.
“This could be potentially a really good, known thing that people do when they come to Jersey,” he said. “It should be part of their journey when they’re here on holiday.”
Visitors could use the scheme not just for “high-end jewellery”, but also for items like shoes, clothing, artwork and more, he said.
Mr Jones added: “You have a great opportunity of a very competitive price point compared to the UK and Europe. Once that is built and people understand that this can be a really good destination for shopping.”
Jersey Chamber of Commerce chief executive Murray Norton said the numbers “blew [him] away”.
Mr Jones and Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, who was also in attendance, were however faced with requests to move the terminals to more prominent locations at the airport and harbour.
Who can claim back GST?
GST refunds are available to those who:
- are visitors to Jersey
- buy goods of at least £100 from the same retailer in the same day
- leave Jersey with the goods within a month of purchase, on a commercial flight or scheduled ferry (private boats and flights are excluded)
To claim the refund, visitors have to get a tax-free form when they pay, and then enter their details into a Global Blue terminal at the airport or harbour.
