I dropped off all of my receipts at CDG on May 17th and received the last ones last week (the Premier Tax Free took about ten days from June 29th when they "sent" it to my credit card). The Hermes ones were there the week and half prior.
Best way to 'detax' after H in Europe
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I dropped off all of my receipts at CDG on May 17th and received the last ones last week (the Premier Tax Free took about ten days from June 29th when they "sent" it to my credit card). The Hermes ones were there the week and half prior.
Hello all,
I read through this thread back 20 pages and although I've traveled through different airports in EU, this will be my first time using the PABLO machine for Hermes items. I will be flying back to the US out of Orly West (Ouest). I've read the majority scenarios if the refund is a large amount, PABLO would refer you to a custom officer. So my 1st question is, from your experience what is consider a large amount? Over 1k? I'm anticipating to hopefully score a bag during my travels
Secondly, as I have seen some comments (one of them was PBP's) that sometimes the custom officer would stamped the forms incorrectly (scanned since it is not a physical stamp anymore?) May I ask for clarification...did the officer indeed not scan such receipt when he/she thought they did? How is this possible when it is a automated scanning machine?
Third, does anyone know if there is an actual Global Blue drop-off mailbox located at Orly West (Ouest) to mail out the scanned detax forms? Or is there just a generic out-going mailbox and that will suffice?
Thank you so much for all your help!
I read through this thread back 20 pages and although I've traveled through different airports in EU, this will be my first time using the PABLO machine for Hermes items. I will be flying back to the US out of Orly West (Ouest). I've read the majority scenarios if the refund is a large amount, PABLO would refer you to a custom officer. So my 1st question is, from your experience what is consider a large amount? Over 1k? I'm anticipating to hopefully score a bag during my travels
Secondly, as I have seen some comments (one of them was PBP's) that sometimes the custom officer would stamped the forms incorrectly (scanned since it is not a physical stamp anymore?) May I ask for clarification...did the officer indeed not scan such receipt when he/she thought they did? How is this possible when it is a automated scanning machine?
Third, does anyone know if there is an actual Global Blue drop-off mailbox located at Orly West (Ouest) to mail out the scanned detax forms? Or is there just a generic out-going mailbox and that will suffice?
Thank you so much for all your help!
Hello all,
I read through this thread back 20 pages and although I've traveled through different airports in EU, this will be my first time using the PABLO machine for Hermes items. I will be flying back to the US out of Orly West (Ouest). I've read the majority scenarios if the refund is a large amount, PABLO would refer you to a custom officer. So my 1st question is, from your experience what is consider a large amount? Over 1k? I'm anticipating to hopefully score a bag during my travels
Secondly, as I have seen some comments (one of them was PBP's) that sometimes the custom officer would stamped the forms incorrectly (scanned since it is not a physical stamp anymore?) May I ask for clarification...did the officer indeed not scan such receipt when he/she thought they did? How is this possible when it is a automated scanning machine?
Third, does anyone know if there is an actual Global Blue drop-off mailbox located at Orly West (Ouest) to mail out the scanned detax forms? Or is there just a generic out-going mailbox and that will suffice?
Thank you so much for all your help!
I am not sure what the exact threshold is for Pablo rejection, but for me a B35 form was rejected and a B30 form was not. So I think if you spend in the B35 range plan on seeing an agent. If you get a 30 you may sneak by. When I bought my 30 I did buy a couple of other things but not a ton...maybe I spent 700-800 euros above the B30 price. I think exotics will reject no matter what the amount is, for example a gator KDT will probably reject.
As far as the officer scanning...I have been lucky with that and have not had problems.
I dont go out of Orly but assume Paris airports are under same management and same processes will apply. Next to the Detaxe (look for a red sign in the departures area before security...you can also look up terminal maps online) where the Pablo machines are and the agents, you will see a Mailbox (usually they are clear) stuffed full of other tax refunds. Just use that. I know at CDG the box does not have Global Blue branding.
It's an easy process but allow plenty of time.
And good luck!!!!
Hello all,
I read through this thread back 20 pages and although I've traveled through different airports in EU, this will be my first time using the PABLO machine for Hermes items. I will be flying back to the US out of Orly West (Ouest). I've read the majority scenarios if the refund is a large amount, PABLO would refer you to a custom officer. So my 1st question is, from your experience what is consider a large amount? Over 1k? I'm anticipating to hopefully score a bag during my travels
Secondly, as I have seen some comments (one of them was PBP's) that sometimes the custom officer would stamped the forms incorrectly (scanned since it is not a physical stamp anymore?) May I ask for clarification...did the officer indeed not scan such receipt when he/she thought they did? How is this possible when it is a automated scanning machine?
Third, does anyone know if there is an actual Global Blue drop-off mailbox located at Orly West (Ouest) to mail out the scanned detax forms? Or is there just a generic out-going mailbox and that will suffice?
Thank you so much for all your help!
First of all, take photos of each Detaxe form so you have in case something goes wrong after you get home. (I even took photos of the envelopes).
I had a B35 and it was rejected. I had a few small goodies from Chanel at about $2K and it accepted through Pablo.
When the customs officer looked at my bag, she just stamped the paperwork (perhaps she took a copy?) I wasn't paying attention carefully.
The drop off mailbox at CDG was in front of the customs office - clear boxes, cannot miss. I would presume it's the same sort of set up at Orly. Good luck.
Hi, I don't think there is an amount that is a cutoff. I'm not sure what triggers needing to see the agent. It may also have to do with your purchase history. The only things I am certain will not trigger it are clothing purchases at say Eric bombard or Paule Ka for less than 2000. A LV neverful scanned by Pablo just fine. Shoes less than about 2000 seem to scan. I believe one of my Chanel flaps scanned and one did not. Any jewelry purchase triggers seeing the agent. Even when I purchased two costume jewelry Chanel brooches for $600 I had to take the form to the agent. Clothing purchases over 3000 sometimes trigger it and sometimes not. I think luxury brands like Chanel are more likely to trigger it.
As far as the agent not stamping the form correctly: they don't actually stamp amy more. They type into the computer. So you don't know what they did or didn't do. It's not like the supermarket checkout when they scan and you hear a beep or anything. I had this problem twice. The first time I'll be honest, I think I had a nasty agent and I think she did it on purpose. I presented about 6 forms and she just seemed to have forgotten one of the most expensive ones. She gave me a very difficult time and asked to see every single item. Wanted to see the boxes which I had put into my suitcase that I planned to check. That was a VCA form and global blue sent it to me to take to the local consulate. The other time I don't know what happened. It was the Chanel brooch form. Maybe the guy honestly missed it. He was nice. I didn't bother doing anything about it because it was small.
As far as the agent not stamping the form correctly: they don't actually stamp amy more. They type into the computer. So you don't know what they did or didn't do. It's not like the supermarket checkout when they scan and you hear a beep or anything. I had this problem twice. The first time I'll be honest, I think I had a nasty agent and I think she did it on purpose. I presented about 6 forms and she just seemed to have forgotten one of the most expensive ones. She gave me a very difficult time and asked to see every single item. Wanted to see the boxes which I had put into my suitcase that I planned to check. That was a VCA form and global blue sent it to me to take to the local consulate. The other time I don't know what happened. It was the Chanel brooch form. Maybe the guy honestly missed it. He was nice. I didn't bother doing anything about it because it was small.
As far as Hermes forms almost all of my receipts have jewelry or bags. Very few have scanned by Pablo- just the ones for a scarf or two.
Good luck. Just take photos of everything. I take cash at the airport for anything that I can to avoid the stress. It's worth it. But of course you can't get cash for the Hermes forms.
Good luck. Just take photos of everything. I take cash at the airport for anything that I can to avoid the stress. It's worth it. But of course you can't get cash for the Hermes forms.
That's a good sign that one of your B purchases scanned fine and your transactions when through smoothly even with the agent! Thank you so much for this detailed information.
Thank you so much, good to know!! So was this a physical stamp by the custom officer?
Thank you so much PBP!! That makes sense if the custom officer is inputting it manually and there is no way what they are typing. That method totally doesn't make sense because naturally there will be human error, and in your case a spiteful agent! I'm so sorry that happened! I rather then go back to the physical stamp since that seems to cause less errors. It is good to know jewelry will trigger it too. Maybe I will avoid buying jewelry this time. Thanks again!
Most of the jewelry brands have equalized the prices now anyway so there is no savings. Sometimes it even costs a bit more in Europe compared to the US. Plus there is the stress of the tax refund. Hermes jewelry was about 30% less in Europe but they dropped the prices in the US and the euro is up about 10-15% since last year so there is less advantage to buying abroad now.
Good luck and have fun!
You are right! I've been watching the prices and some brands have no advantages at all due to the higher euros and decrease prices in US. It is not with the tax hassle like you said!
I remember reading something in this thread about Orly West terminal last summer when we were planning our trip. If memory serves, I think there is only a customs agent there after 8:00am to manually process forms that PABLO rejects. Something you may want to check into if your flight is early morning. There was a member who posted about her experience and I think she said there's a phone to call over an agent from the main terminal if your forms are rejected by PABLO but the process was not speedy. We ended up stamping forms in Heathrow during a layover as the detaxe process is super quick if you're already thru security.
Have a great trip and wishing you lots of H luck!!!
Hi! Congratulations on your bag! You do not need to bring the box, but do remember to bring your receipts and paperwork along with the bag.