Best way to 'detax' after H in Europe

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#856
NO!

You must go to the basement and fill out a detax form to bring to the airport. Now you may be offered instant cash back. Feel free to take it but the story doesn't end there. You still need to go through tax refund counter at the airport. Think of it as cash advance - if they don't receive the form at the end, they will try to get the refund back from you.

I also hope that this flyer helps.
https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/files/2017/11/Campagne-Noël-NEXT-STOP-UK.pdf
 
#857
mcmug17 said:
NO!

You must go to the basement and fill out a detax form to bring to the airport. Now you may be offered instant cash back. Feel free to take it but the story doesn't end there. You still need to go through tax refund counter at the airport. Think of it as cash advance - if they don't receive the form at the end, they will try to get the refund back from you.

I also hope that this flyer helps.
https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/files/2017/11/Campagne-Noël-NEXT-STOP-UK.pdf
Click to expand...

+1

And if you are departing from an airport outside of France, the Galleries Lafayette envelope is not prepaid and will need postage. This is why I just go to Galleries Lafayette to browse and purchase from the actual boutiques outside. The tax refund process is just simpler that way without the department store confusion.
 
#858
allyrae said:
Thank you so much, ladies! I’ll give it a go. I had bought quite a bit this trip so the tax refund is quite substantial [emoji38]
Click to expand...

This happened to me in march. I had to bring my forms plus items to the french consulate in my country to get the letter. Then mailed it out to the french customs. Thankfully got my refund but there was a 90 day time limit I had to do all this. I didn't realize my form wasn't stamped. I gave a whole stack to the officer thinking he would stamp everything and careless me didn't check! By the time the french customs returned me my unstamped forms it was already 60 days after date of purchase! It was so stressful!
Good luck and hope all goes well!
 
#859
Kkho said:
This happened to me in march. I had to bring my forms plus items to the french consulate in my country to get the letter. Then mailed it out to the french customs. Thankfully got my refund but there was a 90 day time limit I had to do all this. I didn't realize my form wasn't stamped. I gave a whole stack to the officer thinking he would stamp everything and careless me didn't check! By the time the french customs returned me my unstamped forms it was already 60 days after date of purchase! It was so stressful!
Good luck and hope all goes well!
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing! I’m waiting for Global Blue to mail the forms back to me. It’s been 2 months since I left Paris. Not much time left :(
 
#860
Everlong said:
+1

And if you are departing from an airport outside of France, the Galleries Lafayette envelope is not prepaid and will need postage. This is why I just go to Galleries Lafayette to browse and purchase from the actual boutiques outside. The tax refund process is just simpler that way without the department store confusion.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the replies...... unfortunately I could not go back to the store before leaving.
 
#861
I used my Visa card at Hermes this time. I left france on 12/3. My refunds were all credited by global blue on 12/20. Chase credited them to my account the same day. This NEVER happened so quickly with Amex. Amex is definitely playing games. I believe I also got a better exchange rate with visa for the refund than I ever did with Amex . Needless to say I’m questioning whether I want to continue to pay Amex a ridiculous annual fee. I have one outstanding form for Prada that is supposed to go to my Amex. [emoji849]
 
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#862
I’m in a major dilemma so my husband and I are in Paris and since he only managed to get an appointment all the purchases and hence the VAT refund forms are in his name. Now the problem is that we both fly out of Heathrow on different days and he was to do on a 2 month work trip ! While I return straight home There is no way he can travel with all these goods
Can I take everything with me ? Show it to customs and get stamped even if it’s in his name. I can’t get availability in any flights for us to leave at closer times otherwise he could hand them to me Please help !
 
#863

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#864
Read through the thread but I’m still a bit confused. Does Hermès FSH use Global Blue blue or not? I’ve read where the forms/envelopes will say global blue but mine does not & I’m wondering if/where I can track my refund.

I tried using the Global Blue site but rcvd an error that my transaction couldn’t be found.

Here is the envelope I rcvd IMG_1036.jpg
 
#865
LVjudy said:
Read through the thread but I’m still a bit confused. Does Hermès FSH use Global Blue blue or not? I’ve read where the forms/envelopes will say global blue but mine does not & I’m wondering if/where I can track my refund.

I tried using the Global Blue site but rcvd an error that my transaction couldn’t be found.

Here is the envelope I rcvd View attachment 4016297
Click to expand...

Hi, they do use global blue. Maybe give it a bit more time and check back? I have never- knock on wood- had an issue with my Hermes forms.
 
#866
LVjudy said:
Read through the thread but I’m still a bit confused. Does Hermès FSH use Global Blue blue or not? I’ve read where the forms/envelopes will say global blue but mine does not & I’m wondering if/where I can track my refund.

I tried using the Global Blue site but rcvd an error that my transaction couldn’t be found.

Here is the envelope I rcvd View attachment 4016297
Click to expand...

As you are posting a picture of the envelope, just curious if you mailed it in. :)
 
#867
LVjudy said:
Read through the thread but I’m still a bit confused. Does Hermès FSH use Global Blue blue or not? I’ve read where the forms/envelopes will say global blue but mine does not & I’m wondering if/where I can track my refund.

I tried using the Global Blue site but rcvd an error that my transaction couldn’t be found.

Here is the envelope I rcvd View attachment 4016297
Click to expand...

They have different envelopes. The one you posted is one of them. No worries.
 
#868
Pocketbook Pup said:
Hi, they do use global blue. Maybe give it a bit more time and check back? I have never- knock on wood- had an issue with my Hermes forms.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much!!! Chkd & all my transactions are now showing up. Hopefully they will be processed soon. Hate the waiting game w/ VAT refunds

Mme. de la Paix said:
As you are posting a picture of the envelope, just curious if you mailed it in. :)
Click to expand...

I took pics of all my paperwork & receipts prior to departing Paris just in case anything went awry. Fingers crossed nothing does

cavalla said:
They have different envelopes. The one you posted is one of them. No worries.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! I feel so much better. Whew...
 
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#869
I searched this thread and could not find information...how is detaxe/VAT refund handled if one pays by wire transfer? Would it be similar to detaxe from a cash purchase and if so how does that work? TIA!
 
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