Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
- Thread starter ivivi
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Okay I'm a bit confused and could use some help. I'm currently looking for a Old Medium Boy bag in black SHW. A friend of mine offered to buy me one in Spain (where she lives) she would ship it to me and I would pay her back.
1) Does it save money converting from Euro to dollars. 2) Shipping?! Taxes?! 3) Could I still get a VAT refund?
I'm soooo confused and not sure what to do. Does this sound like a bad idea? Am I better just waiting to find the perfect one in the US? Any help or opinions is much appreciated.
1) Does it save money converting from Euro to dollars. 2) Shipping?! Taxes?! 3) Could I still get a VAT refund?
I'm soooo confused and not sure what to do. Does this sound like a bad idea? Am I better just waiting to find the perfect one in the US? Any help or opinions is much appreciated.
I can't advice you on the vat or the conversion rate. I'm not sure if you'll save yourself money, make sure your friend sends you many pictures of each angle and the inside before she buys it. Honestly, personally I wouldn't take the chance of something going wrong. I'm sure you can find it here, keep checking the "authentic finds" thread and post a request in the "help me find ". Keep calling the boutiques and department storesI'm sure you'll find your special boy real soon. Good luck dear !
You can do the converting yourself based on the exchange rate to see how much cheaper at the time of purchase but you won't be able to get vat back, you have to factor in shipping and insurance for the value, and there's a chance you have to pay duties. You might save a little but might not worth it.
I've bought designer bags in different European countries (most recently in Spain) and the retail price has almost always been cheaper than in the U.S. (For me the savings has been about $500, not including the tax refund). I'm not sure about the Chanel prices, though-you'll have to check. The euro is pretty low right now compared to the dollar..
You can only get the VAT refund if you don't live in the country and you buy it there and leave the country with it.
If your friend is buying it for you, you'll probably save money on the retail price even though you can't get the tax refund. You'll have to do the math on the shipping costs (+ any insurance you decide to get) and see if the savings are worth it to you. You might still end up saving a couple hundred dollars, though. Good luck.
Wouldn't do it. Secure int'l shipping is expensive and keep in mind you may get taxed on it on arrival (this happens everywhere for expensive goods, whether it's marked as gift or not).
As someone that buys, high worth vintage goods, from abroad often I would offer this information:
Don't look upon it as a way to save large amounts of money, because as previously mentioned, the add-on expenses can often run into hundreds of dollars/pounds (in my case).
Look upon it as a way of buying classic vintage items that aren't often available to buy elsewhere.
The shipping costs I've found to be up to £100, then add on the extra 'bits' for taxes / duty / post / courier handling / whatever.
Don't look upon it as a way to save large amounts of money, because as previously mentioned, the add-on expenses can often run into hundreds of dollars/pounds (in my case).
Look upon it as a way of buying classic vintage items that aren't often available to buy elsewhere.
The shipping costs I've found to be up to £100, then add on the extra 'bits' for taxes / duty / post / courier handling / whatever.
Hey all! I am really hoping that someone could help me out in understanding my situation here. I recently bought a mini flap from the states and shipped it to Australia which is where I am currently residing. This attracted $700+ in customs duty, import charges and GST. I am flying back home to Malaysia in January and I am wondering if I can get a refund on aforementioned fees?
This was my first time buying something of such high value from overseas so I'm unsure of what I can do about this. Thank you!
This was my first time buying something of such high value from overseas so I'm unsure of what I can do about this. Thank you!
Currently in Paris. Thinking about doing some serious shopping from one of the department stores, i.e. Le Bon marche, prin temps or galleries Lafayette, rather than at the boutiques. These department stores offer to the instant tax back. Is there any disadvantage to taking the instant Tax back at the department stores?
Hello everyone!
I have been going through this thread for days
I will be going to Paris and flying back home from London (Gatwick Airport) I haven't seen much info on the VAT returns from this airport. Can anyone tell me if the process is the same or if there is anything else I have to look for if doing the refund from this airport for both Paris and London?
Also, I keep reading about people doing refunds at department store. I am not sure what this means? Can you actually just get the refund or the refund deducted from your purchase at the actual store and if so do you still have to process the forms? If so does Chanel and LV have this option and is it less of a refund etc?
It seems that the VAT varies. What is the refund for Chanel in Paris for cash? I keep seeing that people have difficulties getting the refund on their CC and I'd rather just get the cash and have it be a sure thing. Lots of questions, thank you in advance!
I have been going through this thread for days
I will be going to Paris and flying back home from London (Gatwick Airport) I haven't seen much info on the VAT returns from this airport. Can anyone tell me if the process is the same or if there is anything else I have to look for if doing the refund from this airport for both Paris and London?
Also, I keep reading about people doing refunds at department store. I am not sure what this means? Can you actually just get the refund or the refund deducted from your purchase at the actual store and if so do you still have to process the forms? If so does Chanel and LV have this option and is it less of a refund etc?
It seems that the VAT varies. What is the refund for Chanel in Paris for cash? I keep seeing that people have difficulties getting the refund on their CC and I'd rather just get the cash and have it be a sure thing. Lots of questions, thank you in advance!
Hello everyone!
I have been going through this thread for days
I will be going to Paris and flying back home from London (Gatwick Airport) I haven't seen much info on the VAT returns from this airport. Can anyone tell me if the process is the same or if there is anything else I have to look for if doing the refund from this airport for both Paris and London?
Also, I keep reading about people doing refunds at department store. I am not sure what this means? Can you actually just get the refund or the refund deducted from your purchase at the actual store and if so do you still have to process the forms? If so does Chanel and LV have this option and is it less of a refund etc?
It seems that the VAT varies. What is the refund for Chanel in Paris for cash? I keep seeing that people have difficulties getting the refund on their CC and I'd rather just get the cash and have it be a sure thing. Lots of questions, thank you in advance!
With cash refund you get charge more on processing % so that's why most ppl don't do it
The rest you can pretty much find answers in the thread
I believe you get less % back in Printemps and Lafayette
I don't recall Le Bon Marche gave you VAT back instantly when I was there last time.
Ultimately you still need custom stamps at airport so I see no difference on timing of getting VAT back
Actually my experience is completely different from yours
Perhaps you asked for refund in GBP while you paid in Euo
I alway pay in euro and ask for refund in euro
Then the actual amount back to my USD CC is determined by daily wholesale rates of Visa when the transaction is processed. That's the best rate one can get
My girlfriend always wants cash instead of CC refund so she always gets hit by lower % back due to higher processed fees global blues or premier tax slashes on the transaction
If you ask for CC refund you get the full listed on the forms back while cash you don't!