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Last Updated on July 2, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Good girl math is buying from your favorite stores duty free shopping in Rome. Whether that’s designer boutique Rome duty free shopping or the duty-free at the Rome airports. There’s definitely ways to make it easier, take less time and make it less stressful at the airport. So I’m sharing my top tips for duty free shopping in Rome and exactly where to find Global Blue, Planet Tax Free and the customs office at both Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino Rome airports.
There are so many designer boutiques and stores that offer duty-free shopping in Rome. Just be sure to ask before you shop if they do duty-free receipts and be sure you have your passport with you. A lot of stores require appointments or there are lines for, especially during peak season. Keep reading for information on different stores and tips for duty free shopping in Rome.
I highly recommend booking an appointment at Chanel which is located at Spanish Steps 85, 00187, Rome. You can sign up on the day at the door but you’ll have to wait in line to make an appointment and then wait for them to text you to let you know they’re ready for you. Depending on the day and time of year, you could be in for a long wait. Luckily, we only had to wait about 90 minutes and went to Hermès and a quick lunch while we waited. The beauty of appointments is that the store isn’t packed and you get individual attention.
They had quite a large selection, including a couple of pieces that were exclusive to that store. I always enquire about those as it’s nice to get something you can’t get anywhere else and that will always remind you of your trip.
How much did I save? My leather slingback heels cost $1,268.00 and I got $166.73 12 days later from Planet Tax Free back which meant they cost me $1,101.27. In the US they’re actually cheaper even after tax than Italy and would’ve have cost me $1,150 before tax / $1,246.31 after tax (8.375% in Las Vegas). It was only because of the tax back that they ended up cheaper and I would’ve saved more if the Euro wasn’t so strong right now but $145 is still a good saving.
There are a few Hermès stores in Rome:
- Hermès Rome, Via Bocca di Leone 23-27, 00187 Roma, Italy.
- Hermès Via Condotti (jewelry), Via Condotti 67, 00187 Roma, Italy.
- Hermès Rome, Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3.
You do not need an appointment for these Hermes boutiques. However, in peak season, like the summer when there’s lots of tourists, you’re more than likely to have to wait in line outside. So wear a hat, sunscreen and have water.
If you are hoping to buy a leather bag, especially a quota bag, one suggestion was to complete your shopping of other pieces (shoes, jewelry, accessories) and then inquire ask if there are any leather bags available. Yes, you have to play the Hermès game worldwide.
Hermès costs so much less in Italy than in the US, so this is where I saved the most. I bought a pair of women’s Hermès Paris loafers in color bianco. They cost 990 Euro or $1,151.67 (they cost $1,375 before tax in the US) and I got $125.06 back from Global Blue within 4 days of the purchase. In the US they’d cost me $1,490.16 (after tax), whereas in Rome they cost me $1,026.61. A massive saving of $463.55.
Girl math says that leaves me a total of $608.55 saved for champagne and dinner.
Unless you’re planning on impulse shopping and don’t care how much you save do your research and cost comparisons. I saved so much more in Hermès than Chanel as Hermès costs a lot less in Italy than in the US. Whereas, Chanel is actually cheaper in the US with the current exchange rate.
Plan your route as they’re all pretty close.
If you’re visiting in the Summer I definitely recommend shopping in the morning before it gets too hot and also to beat the lines. Whenever you go, always taking a taxi straight back to your hotel to drop off your bags when you’re done shopping.
You will need your actual passport to do any duty-free shopping Rome. A copy won’t cut it.
Global Blue pays your tax refunds quicker than Planet Tax Free. I highly recommend creating accounts on their websites so you can track your refund progress easily.
Make sure you’re items are unused and in their original boxes and packaging when going to customs at the airport. If you’ve used them you won’t be able to claim tax back.
Required for customs approval:
- Passport and travel documents.
- Fully completed Tax Free form.
- Unused purchased goods and receipts.
- Customs confirmation must be obtained at the last EU airport of your flight. So if you’re going somewhere else in Europe, you won’t do it in Rome but your last European airport.
I recommend to have your refund paid back to your original payment method rather than getting a cash refund. Yes, you’ll get the money instantly if you choose a cash refund but they charge a fee and the more you’re getting back, the bigger that fee is.
Where to find Global Blue, Planet Tax Free and the customs office at Rome Fiumicino airport
There are 2 Planet Tax Free locations at Terminal 3 and 1 at Terminal 1:
- Planet Tax Free Terminal 3 airside, area E, Fiumicino Airport. 07:00-15:00 7 days a week.
- Planet Tax Free, Terminal 3 Landside, next to check-in 223/224, Fiumicino Airport.
- Planet, Terminal 1, Landside Tax free area, Fiumicino Airport.
More Planet Tax Free details on hours and fees.
There are so many Global Blue Kiosks both before and after security controls at Fiumicino airport, so you’re best to check the locations here and see which is in the terminal you’re leaving from.
Where to find Global Blue, Planet Tax Free and the customs office at Ciampino Rome airport
There are no kiosks for cash refunds at Ciampino Rome but you can still get your customs stamp and mail in your stamped forms for a refund.
We got to the airport in plenty of time as we were really unsure about how customs would work at the airport as we couldn’t find much online. We were told customs is before check in so that’s where we headed. It’s located at the far, back left corner of departures before security. However, it closed when we went. I’d recommend checking here first as soon as you get to the airport and if it’s closed don’t panic, it’s so easy to do after security.
After going through security head past duty free, McDonalds and the 2nd security lines and you’ll see a black sign with a white customs officer logo on the back wall (pictured above). This is where you’ll go to have your receipts stamped. Make sure to fill in all of your details on these forms, including where you want the refunds to go. Then simply pop them in the corresponding Global Blue and/or Planet Tax Free mail boxes outside the office. That’s it! Just keep an eye on your account for your refund(s)
