Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}

[shopgirl4cc]

Correct. The store will ask to see your passport and will complete the VAT refund form for you. I've heard that some stores will accept a photocopy, but I am not sure if Chanel is one of them. Don't let a fear of pickpockets worry you. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings at all times, use a secure bag and keep it close to you. You should have no trouble. Enjoy your trip!

Dear FunBagz; Thanks so much again for your help and tip! OK I should bring the passport and should be careful anyway for all the time during the vacation!

Can I ask ladies, do you think it would be not the best way to take brand showy bags like Chanel WOC or LV cross body, or better to take non brands cross body when mostly walking in the city for shopping...? our hotel is about 5~10mins walking distance from most of Chanel stores but should probably take taxi..?!
We will go on vacation during early summer so it would be nice weather to walking though...Anyway, I should be extra careful while carrying Chanel shopping bag on the street...
TIA!!

 

[Handbagmenageri]

Any bag should be fine as long as it's secure. In Frankfurt last year I carried my speedy and kept it locked when not in use. I also carried four large LV bags around the city center with no trouble. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[chiarijj]

Hi all,

I am traveling from my home in NYC to Paris where I will stay for a few days before flying to Florence. I'll stay there for a few days then fly back to Paris to catch my flight back home to US. I plan on doing quite a bit of shopping (bags from Fendi, Celine and some scarves from Hermes are on my wish list). My question is - what airport should I get my VAT forms stamped? If I buy in Florence should claim those purchases at Florence airport or should I just do everything in Paris before I get on my flight back to the US? And I also plan on spending way over $800. Does that create an issue? I've never made big purchases in Europe before so very nervous - any guidance you can offer would be so appreciated. Thank you!! xo

 

[bagreedy]

Hi all,

I am traveling from my home in NYC to Paris where I will stay for a few days before flying to Florence. I'll stay there for a few days then fly back to Paris to catch my flight back home to US. I plan on doing quite a bit of shopping (bags from Fendi, Celine and some scarves from Hermes are on my wish list). My question is - what airport should I get my VAT forms stamped? If I buy in Florence should claim those purchases at Florence airport or should I just do everything in Paris before I get on my flight back to the US? And I also plan on spending way over $800. Does that create an issue? I've never made big purchases in Europe before so very nervous - any guidance you can offer would be so appreciated. Thank you!! xo

You should claim everything in Paris. Amount spend won't be an issue, there are tons of tourists that do this everyday. Once you reach US when you declare your items, you might be charged a import duty on them.

 

[PuccaNGaru]

Hi all,

I am traveling from my home in NYC to Paris where I will stay for a few days before flying to Florence. I'll stay there for a few days then fly back to Paris to catch my flight back home to US. I plan on doing quite a bit of shopping (bags from Fendi, Celine and some scarves from Hermes are on my wish list). My question is - what airport should I get my VAT forms stamped? If I buy in Florence should claim those purchases at Florence airport or should I just do everything in Paris before I get on my flight back to the US? And I also plan on spending way over $800. Does that create an issue? I've never made big purchases in Europe before so very nervous - any guidance you can offer would be so appreciated. Thank you!! xo

As the poster mentioned, I would also claim everything I buy when going through customs. My husband and I went to Paris in May and when we returned to the US, we did claim everything. Unfortunately, we did get sent to secondary (?), but because we were honest, they just looked through our purchases and let us go. I can't even imagine if we weren't honest and got caught. My friend once didn't claim her expensive bag and she had to go to secondary everytime she flew out of the country for a few years. It was a big pain for her!

 

[Typhi]

Please excuse the repeat question. I have searched and can not find the answer (I know I saw the answer before) What is the difference in VAT between purchasing at LHR and in a store London?

Thanks in advance!
T.

 

[chiarijj]

You should claim everything in Paris. Amount spend won't be an issue, there are tons of tourists that do this everyday. Once you reach US when you declare your items, you might be charged a import duty on them.

Ok, thank you! I wonder how much the charge would be? Significant (like more than $100) or more like a small nominal fee?

 

[chiarijj]

As the poster mentioned, I would also claim everything I buy when going through customs. My husband and I went to Paris in May and when we returned to the US, we did claim everything. Unfortunately, we did get sent to secondary (?), but because we were honest, they just looked through our purchases and let us go. I can't even imagine if we weren't honest and got caught. My friend once didn't claim her expensive bag and she had to go to secondary everytime she flew out of the country for a few years. It was a big pain for her!

Oh, good to know, thank you! Did you and your husband have to pay a fee?

 

[SabinaLin]

Does anyone know if I can get a VAT refund in Paris, although I live i Norway? Norway is not part of the EU, so it should be possible, right?

 

[PuccaNGaru]

Oh, good to know, thank you! Did you and your husband have to pay a fee?

Sorry for the late reply. No, we did not get charged and we bought a lot, well over our limit. I think custom's just let us go because we were being honest. My theory though is that even if we did have to pay, we still would have saved $$.

 

[PuccaNGaru]

Hi guys, I have a couple of questions regarding purchasing a mini rectangular flap from london. I am very new to this forum and not very familiar with VAT refunds. So my friend will be in london from jan-april, and I was wondering if my friend can buy the bag using my CC as in I will have the sales associate charge me directly and my friend can just take the bag with her, how would that work with VAT refund? I read some of the previous posts and it seemed like if you order outside the country they automatically deduct VAT refund on the purchase? I would really appreciate any advice from you guys! aaah i really want a mini rectangular flap.. have been drooling over this bag FOR TOOO LONG!!!

I don't think you can do that. The name on the cc must match with your passport. Mind you, I have never used any other cc than my own or my hubby's, but I would imagine that the name on your card would need to match your passport in order for you to receive the VAT. This would also be for security reasons.
Your friend should buy the bag for you on his/her cc and then just pay him/her back.

 

[Mumof2mOnstErs]

Thank you, puccaNGaru! So I was also wondering, would it work if I add my friend as an authorized user for my credit card and send her the card? Her CC has a 3% transcation fee, so not only will I get charged 3% extra for the purse purchase, it seems like I will also be charged 3% from the VAT Refund through her CC. So I prob end up not saving much in that case.......has anyone tried the authorized user method and worked out? Any advices would be appreciated!

Your method won't work as it breaches the customs rule where tax refund are only made to the person who purchases and pays for the items. Even if you are with her and she is purchasing the items in her name and refunding VAT in her name, you will not be allowed to pay for it using your credit card.

In some places where the person processing the refund is not the cashier who took your payment, they may ask for your credit card to confirm that the payee is indeed the person asking for VAT refund too.

 

[footlocker]

Hi gals. Sorry if this has been asked before. How many months you waited the longest for the refund? I made my purchase in early December last year and departed Amsterdam in the first week of December. I have not yet received refund for the Chanel boy bag I purchased. It has been three months. I am worried. Thanks.

 

[PuccaNGaru]

Hi gals. Sorry if this has been asked before. How many months you waited the longest for the refund? I made my purchase in early December last year and departed Amsterdam in the first week of December. I have not yet received refund for the Chanel boy bag I purchased. It has been three months. I am worried. Thanks.

I would have to look up on my cc which store it was, but my very last VAT refund took about three months! Chanel was the fastest to refund, if I remember correctly. Hang it there, you should receive your refund soon.

 

[footlocker]

I would have to look up on my cc which store it was, but my very last VAT refund took about three months! Chanel was the fastest to refund, if I remember correctly. Hang it there, you should receive your refund soon.

Thanks for your words. I hope maybe there was X'mas and New Year holiday so it takes longer for the refund to process.

But one strange thing. I put two refund receipts in the same envelope (both are from Chanel) and I got refund for one purchase already but not the other one!