Every place you shop at will give you a Vat refund form(they fill it out). You will only need to take all your goods(unused and in original packaging, incase the customs officer wants to see them) to the airport and get the Vat refund forms stamped at the customs counter. Once these forms have been stamped you can opt for credit card refund (fill out credit card number on the form yourself if not already done) and drop the form off in the drop boxes for the specific company (global blue or premier tax) or go to the vat refund office at the airport and get your refund in cash. Since Barcelona is your exit point from EU, that is where you get all your forms stamped, no matter where in EU you bought them. Check out the airport map for Barcelona to see where these counters are located. Also, if you plan to check these items in, you need to first get your boarding pass but not check the bag in, go to customs, get the customs stamps on your vat refund forms and then check the bag in. At the customs counter in Rome, they had a bag drop belt right there. So, no need to go back to airline counter. In Paris, we had to go back to airline counter because we used Pablo system(automated kiosk for customs)
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
- Thread starter ivivi
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Every place you shop at will give you a Vat refund form(they fill it out). You will only need to take all your goods(unused and in original packaging, incase the customs officer wants to see them) to the airport and get the Vat refund forms stamped at the customs counter. Once these forms have been stamped you can opt for credit card refund (fill out credit card number on the form yourself if not already done) and drop the form off in the drop boxes for the specific company (global blue or premier tax) or go to the vat refund office at the airport and get your refund in cash. Since Barcelona is your exit point from EU, that is where you get all your forms stamped, no matter where in EU you bought them. Check out the airport map for Barcelona to see where these counters are located. Also, if you plan to check these items in, you need to first get your boarding pass but not check the bag in, go to customs, get the customs stamps on your vat refund forms and then check the bag in. At the customs counter in Rome, they had a bag drop belt right there. So, no need to go back to airline counter. In Paris, we had to go back to airline counter because we used Pablo system(automated kiosk for customs)
Out of curiosity, by your response, it means that you can carry big luggage to the tax free counter to show items? How can you do that when there is security check and they only let you bring small luggage... I am confused, I always put all my tax free itmes in my carry-on luggage and big one always check it... Can you describe process of checking the boarding card and then going back to check the luggage? Also, it would be nice to DM so we keep this forum clear (if it is a long story)... Sorry about this, but I never knew you could do that! Thank you for now - but you have to describe it to me so I know when I go next time shopping in EU.
I think each airport may be different, for some the VAT refund customs office is before security check. Berlin TXL has customs before security check so you can bring all your luggage there, check in or carry on.
The airports that I got the customs stamps at had counters before security check. There is also a counter after security check that has smaller lines. If you plan to take your items as carry-on it's usually easiest to use the customs counter after security check. However, it's best to check the airport map to see where these counters are/make sure there is one after security check.
I actually just did this in Barcelona. We left out of of the terminal with american airlines (terminal 1?), and their VAT counter is to the far left and they have very obvious signs (or just ask someone). What I recommend: fill out all your forms and pull them out of your envelopes so you don't waste time at the airport to do so, get in line (at BCN, they dont require checkin or anything, only some sort of flight confirmation), and show your items. I'd leave an extra hour to do this and bc security took a long time at BCN.
Yes, I agree. i wish there was a more organized way to look at these forums and the posts, it can be tedious.
Yes, I agree. i wish there was a more organized way to look at these forums and the posts, it can be tedious.
Did you keep original packing for your items? I was considering not getting a box when I go to chanel barcelona but I'm unsure if it will be needed for customs.
No, all you need is the item itself unused. And are you going to Chanel BCN for your GST? Definitely get it in Paris, don't wait til BCN.
I always love the whole gift packaging and purposely brought a bigger suitcase to bring the boxes home.
TIPS:
1. Try to buy everything in Paris as they will have the best stock and have them ship to your hotel for you
2. But if you want to buy in other countries:
A. try to buy all in one go (higher likelihood they will ship to hotel and less VAT forms). We sort of kept buying little bits here and there and ended up w/ 7 separate receipts/forms, would've been less of a hassle to have like 3 trips, 3 forms.
B. Different countries have different rates of return (Spain, Italy, France, from higher return to lower): so if you could wait, BCN would actually have better VAT than Paris.
3. Boxes and bags pack in your suitcase. Actual items in dustbags in your carryon for customs.
BCN Specific Tips:
1. Global Blue actually has representatives at BCN (at least when we were there). They were very helpful in making sure all of our forms were in order, and she actually took the form instead of us mailing it.
2. All Global Blue forms (regardless of brands/passport number/time and place of purchase) can be put into one envelope, which is very convenient.
3. There’s a bright yellow mailbox right before the line to the VAT counter, that’s where you’d drop off the forms.
More info than you were asking, but I'm still on the high of a Europe trip, haha. Hope that helps and have fun. Good luck finding what you want!!
No, all you need is the item itself unused. And are you going to Chanel BCN for your GST? Definitely get it in Paris, don't wait til BCN.
I always love the whole gift packaging and purposely brought a bigger suitcase to bring the boxes home.
TIPS:
1. Try to buy everything in Paris as they will have the best stock and have them ship to your hotel for you
2. But if you want to buy in other countries:
A. try to buy all in one go (higher likelihood they will ship to hotel and less VAT forms). We sort of kept buying little bits here and there and ended up w/ 7 separate receipts/forms, would've been less of a hassle to have like 3 trips, 3 forms.
B. Different countries have different rates of return (Spain, Italy, France, from higher return to lower): so if you could wait, BCN would actually have better VAT than Paris.
3. Boxes and bags pack in your suitcase. Actual items in dustbags in your carryon for customs.
BCN Specific Tips:
1. Global Blue actually has representatives at BCN (at least when we were there). They were very helpful in making sure all of our forms were in order, and she actually took the form instead of us mailing it.
2. All Global Blue forms (regardless of brands/passport number/time and place of purchase) can be put into one envelope, which is very convenient.
3. Theres a bright yellow mailbox right before the line to the VAT counter, thats where youd drop off the forms.
More info than you were asking, but I'm still on the high of a Europe trip, haha. Hope that helps and have fun. Good luck finding what you want!!
Thank you soo soo much! You literally answered all of the questions I had!! I will only be visiting Barcelona and Madrid, and im hoping to find a 2.55. *Fingers crossed*
I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me such details!
Hi,
I posted this in another related thread about the VAT tax refund but I haven't had anyone reply yet. Anyway, I've been going through this forum to learn about the VAT tax refund and I'm still a little confused. I will be going to London then Paris, then heading home from Paris at CDG to Canada.
Here are the details I need clarification/advice on:
1) If I purchase an item in London, do I ask for the VAT refund form there but have it processed when I leave Paris at CDG?
2) Since I will be making some hefty purchases (probably small wallet items from Chanel and LV), I will most likely be over my limit in the amount of goods I can bring back to Canada. I read that some people wore their bags, as if they bought it prior to the trip, when they went through customs to not declare. But I was wondering how this would work. Is the VAT refund counter before security check or after? Also, It's been a while since I've flown so I'm not sure when Canadian customs asks you about the goods you're bringing in, so I don't know how people have made it look like they've purchased the items before their trip.
3) And if I am declaring an item and I am over my limit, would I pay the difference that I went over in duties and taxes, or duties and taxes for each item? For example, the amount I can bring back is $800. If I brought back $1000, do I pay duties and taxes on the $200 or for each item I brought back?
Thanks!
I posted this in another related thread about the VAT tax refund but I haven't had anyone reply yet. Anyway, I've been going through this forum to learn about the VAT tax refund and I'm still a little confused. I will be going to London then Paris, then heading home from Paris at CDG to Canada.
Here are the details I need clarification/advice on:
1) If I purchase an item in London, do I ask for the VAT refund form there but have it processed when I leave Paris at CDG?
2) Since I will be making some hefty purchases (probably small wallet items from Chanel and LV), I will most likely be over my limit in the amount of goods I can bring back to Canada. I read that some people wore their bags, as if they bought it prior to the trip, when they went through customs to not declare. But I was wondering how this would work. Is the VAT refund counter before security check or after? Also, It's been a while since I've flown so I'm not sure when Canadian customs asks you about the goods you're bringing in, so I don't know how people have made it look like they've purchased the items before their trip.
3) And if I am declaring an item and I am over my limit, would I pay the difference that I went over in duties and taxes, or duties and taxes for each item? For example, the amount I can bring back is $800. If I brought back $1000, do I pay duties and taxes on the $200 or for each item I brought back?
Thanks!
I also went to London then Paris then head from from CDG.
1. You ask for the VAT refund form to be filled out at the place of purchase, whether it'll be London or Paris. You still either have to scan the form at the pablo kiosk at CDG if it's scanned, or get a physical stamp at the booth before departing CDG.
2. The VAT refund counter is before security so you can either stop by the counter with ALL your belongings to get all your forms scanned or stamped, or you get check-in first and then go to the counter before security. I check-in my bags first and then go to the counter because I didn't want to have too many bags with me. I had all my goods in my carry on bag but regardless the agent did not ask to see any of my purchase.
I don't know what the process is in Canada but it shouldn't be much different from the US so I believe you go through immigration first right after you get of plane and then get your bags to go through customs. You declaration form should already be filled out before going through immigration and either one or both my ask you about your purchase.
3. If your limit is 800 and u brought a total of 1000 then you'll only need to pay duties on the 200.
1. You ask for the VAT refund form to be filled out at the place of purchase, whether it'll be London or Paris. You still either have to scan the form at the pablo kiosk at CDG if it's scanned, or get a physical stamp at the booth before departing CDG.
2. The VAT refund counter is before security so you can either stop by the counter with ALL your belongings to get all your forms scanned or stamped, or you get check-in first and then go to the counter before security. I check-in my bags first and then go to the counter because I didn't want to have too many bags with me. I had all my goods in my carry on bag but regardless the agent did not ask to see any of my purchase.
I don't know what the process is in Canada but it shouldn't be much different from the US so I believe you go through immigration first right after you get of plane and then get your bags to go through customs. You declaration form should already be filled out before going through immigration and either one or both my ask you about your purchase.
3. If your limit is 800 and u brought a total of 1000 then you'll only need to pay duties on the 200.
It's been 2 months now and I am still waiting for my refund...
Don't worry girl ! Mine took 3 months[emoji3] hang in there
It's been 2 months now and I am still waiting for my refund...
Me too from Italy seems to be the problem
oh gosh! the global tax office was closed when i left the airport so i had to mail mine frm the US. fearing that mine will prob take just as long
