Not sure about the duty %, but the retail price is less buying in Europe, generally speaking, so still better to buy there and declare.
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
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Not sure about the duty %, but the retail price is less buying in Europe, generally speaking, so still better to buy there and declare.
Yes definitely for Europe but I was going to buy duty-free in Asia, which is just the same US prices without US tax!
I really don't remember, but it was on the high side . However it was only on the portion that was not exempt, which was maybe $1,500.00.
Not bad at all . Maybe some don't declare all their purchases? I am not interested in getting in trouble for that petty amount of tax. Plus it's not like you can purchase an unlimited amount of designer goods in the euro countries anyway .
Oh, in that case, just buy it here in the US, unless it's an item difficult to find locally or is only found in Asia.
Hi! I'll be flying to Paris in two weeks time 
planning on buying a classic and a boy by using cash only. I heard that there's a limit as to how much cash I can pay for each bag. Is that true? Must I pay with credit card? Also, in GL, can I claim for VAT CASH refund on the spot by paying with cash instead of credit card? Is the VAT refund for cash 10% or 12%? Your help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance
planning on buying a classic and a boy by using cash only. I heard that there's a limit as to how much cash I can pay for each bag. Is that true? Must I pay with credit card? Also, in GL, can I claim for VAT CASH refund on the spot by paying with cash instead of credit card? Is the VAT refund for cash 10% or 12%? Your help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance Hi! I'll be flying to Paris in two weeks time
Shellie, I think you asked this question somewhere else.
As for the second part of your question, yes, believe you can receive a vat refund in cash at Galeries Lafayette, but you will need to provide your credit card info as a guarantee that you will then collect your customs stamp and mail the requisite documents in. If you don't end up mailing the docs, getting the stamp, the VAT processing company will obviously charge you for the upfront cash they gave you.
Cash refund is typically less than getting the refund by card.
I got 13% back by paying with credit card in Paris. From my research, I think cash is closer to 11%. Hope that helps and good luck!Hi! I'll be flying to Paris in two weeks time
Hi Guys,
I have a question. I am flying to Paris and from paris to turkey using British airways, so will be transiting in london but not coming out of the airport, just layovers in heathrow to connect from paris to turkey and turkey back to the US. My question is do I get my VAT on my way from paris to turkey since turkey is not part of the EU. Or do I get it in heathrow during my layover.
Thanks
I have a question. I am flying to Paris and from paris to turkey using British airways, so will be transiting in london but not coming out of the airport, just layovers in heathrow to connect from paris to turkey and turkey back to the US. My question is do I get my VAT on my way from paris to turkey since turkey is not part of the EU. Or do I get it in heathrow during my layover.
Thanks
Hi Guys,
I have a question. I am flying to Paris and from paris to turkey using British airways, so will be transiting in london but not coming out of the airport, just layovers in heathrow to connect from paris to turkey and turkey back to the US. My question is do I get my VAT on my way from paris to turkey since turkey is not part of the EU. Or do I get it in heathrow during my layover.
Thanks
X. Deleted, repetitive post.
Hi Guys,
I have a question. I am flying to Paris and from paris to turkey using British airways, so will be transiting in london but not coming out of the airport, just layovers in heathrow to connect from paris to turkey and turkey back to the US. My question is do I get my VAT on my way from paris to turkey since turkey is not part of the EU. Or do I get it in heathrow during my layover.
Thanks
That's a good question. I think you get it from London, that's your ultimate last port of departure (from the EU). IF I were you I'd try in Paris, worst thing they can say is no, do it in London.
I'm confused, Is your itinerary, Paris to turkey, turkey to London, London to US?
My itinerary is
US to Paris
Paris to Turkey
Turkey to US
But because I'm using British Airways they layovers are in heathro UK. But I'm just connecting through heathrow. It's a transfer flight.
I'm guessing since you are flying BA, your last eu port of departure is LHR. I still think you claim VAT at Heathrow.
I think I encountered the same thing many years ago when I changed my whole return flight home bc of the volcanic ash clouds over Iceland. I had a layover somewhere in the EU (London I think). In Paris, they told me to get my VAT in LHR, but I convinced them to give me the refund in CDG since my layover in London was one hour, and my flight out of Paris was slightly delayed.
if I were you, try at CDG. If they tell you go get it in London, that's what you'll have to do.
Just to share. The Chanel in Rome mentioned that regardless of the mode of VAT refund, the VAT refund rate is 14%. Can't tell if there is a processing fee charged by the cash refund processing agency though. It seems a better deal to buy in Italy than in France.