Shop tax-free with Louisiana's program for international visitors

If you're thinking about visiting Louisiana from another country – or if you're already here – you should know about a valuable shopping program Louisiana offers exclusively to international visitors. Designed to complement our many visitor attractions, the Louisiana Tax-Free Shopping Program issues refunds of sales tax paid by international visitors on retail purchases made in the state.

Louisiana was the first state in the nation to approve a tax-free shopping program for foreign visitors. We warmly welcome all international visitors and invite you to shop – tax free – at more than 1,000 stores statewide.

In the market for a new laptop? Ready for a new Rollex? Want to take home new clothing or special souvenirs for family and friends? Shop for those items and much more, tax-free, in Louisiana. In 2010, thousands of international shoppers received more than $2 million in refunds of Louisiana sales taxes. Don't miss the savings!

International visitors with a valid foreign passport and roundtrip international travel ticket of less than 90 days duration are eligible. Tax refunds are available only from retailers who are members of the program.

We have made it easy to take advantage of the savings. The visitor will be charged full price including tax for his or her purchase. When making a purchase, the visitor must present a current international ID – which may be a driver's license or other official picture identification – and request a tax refund voucher. (Vouchers and sales receipts must be retained in order to receive a refund.)

To redeem shopping voucher(s) the visitor will present the following documents at any one of our Refund Centers:


1. Voucher(s) with associated sales receipt(s).


2. Foreign passport with current U.S. visa, if applicable.

3. Roundtrip international ticket of less than 90 days duration.

Refunds under $500 will be made in cash. Refunds over $500 will be issued by check and mailed to the visitor at his or her home address.

Five tax-free refund centers are located around the state, including one at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. You may also claim your tax refund by mail. For full details, see the Louisiana Tax-Free Shopping website. 

Shop at stores such as Gapp, Best Buy, Macy's Louisiana, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dillard's, JC Penney, many antiques shops, souvenir stores, outlet stores and much more. You'll find participating merchants in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Lafayette and Shreveport-Bossier City. See the online Tax-Free Shopping Directory for a full list of merchants that participate in the program. For more information and many useful tips, request our free brochure on our website or by calling 1-504-467-0723.

Enjoy your stay in Louisiana, and enjoy the savings from our international shopping program.