Riyadh, Aug. 6 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has officially introduced a value-added tax (VAT) refund programme for tourists and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals, enabling eligible visitors to reclaim 15 percent VAT on qualifying purchases.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts to enhance the tourism and shopping experience, while boosting the Kingdom's appeal as a premier global destination.

The refund scheme is available at 1,442 authorised retail outlets across the country and applies to non-resident tourists aged 18 and above, theSaudi Gazettereported.

To be eligible, total purchases must exceed SAR 500. Items must be unused, intended for personal use only, and exported within 90 days of the purchase date.

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