Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
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I did this last year. US to Paris, then train to Amsterdam, then back to US. You will need to get your customs stamps in Amsterdam. Then you can either go to the Global Blue counter to process your forms for cash or credit back to your card, or drop them in the box. As far as I know, there is no Premier Tax counter at Amsterdam airport, so those just get deposited in the Premier Tax box after stamping by customs. The boxes and the Global Blue counter are right next to the customs. However, if your flight out of Amsterdam has a layover anywhere in the EU, you may be told by Amsterdam customs that you have to get your forms stamped by customs at the layover airport (final stop in the EU). As far as I know, Amsterdam airport doesn't have the self serve kiosks yet that I understand are now available at CDG which allow you to scan your own forms. Enjoy your trip and happy shopping!
Hello,
Please help! I am leaving for Nice France in less than a week, I have never shopped luxury goods overseas and plan to at least buy a Louis Vuitton bag while I am there. The problem my flight departs Nice before Global Blue counter opens at 6:45am! I am stopping in Amsterdam for a very short layover before heading back to the states. How can I get my VAT refund? Any and all suggestions or advice is appreciated! TIA! As I said I have absolutely no experience at all with what to do! [emoji26]
Please help! I am leaving for Nice France in less than a week, I have never shopped luxury goods overseas and plan to at least buy a Louis Vuitton bag while I am there. The problem my flight departs Nice before Global Blue counter opens at 6:45am! I am stopping in Amsterdam for a very short layover before heading back to the states. How can I get my VAT refund? Any and all suggestions or advice is appreciated! TIA! As I said I have absolutely no experience at all with what to do! [emoji26]
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong since I have no experience personally with the Nice airport, but as I understanding it you only need to visit the customs counter to get your forms stamped in order to get your refund. I imagine they have someone at the customs counter at all times, but am not sure on that. If the global blue and/or premier tax counter is closed (or there isn't one a counter for one of them at your particular airport or terminal), you simply drop the stamped forms in the envelopes provided by the retailers in the box clearly labeled for global blue and/or premier tax and the VAT will be refunded to your card. Keep in mind, you will want to tell the retailers when you make your purchases that you will be getting a credit back to your card rather than cash so they complete the forms properly. Most retailers will ask and will complete the forms properly, but it is best to always double check the forms (and take photos of the forms once stamped by customs for your records). LV used global blue, Chanel uses premier tax.
It is possible that the customs officer in Nice will not stamp your form since you have a layover in Amsterdam (this happened to me on my recent flight out of Vienna, with a 2 hour layover in Amsterdam). You can try to plead your case of a short layover, but the customs officer may make you get your forms stamped by customs in Amsterdam since that is your final departure point out of the EU. I can say that I've had my forms stamped at the Amsterdam airport a couple times now and they are quick and efficient (and friendly). However, the airport is huge and busy, so getting to it during a short layover could be tough.
Another option is to pack your purchases in your checked luggage, in which case the customs officers in Nice should stamp for you (check the website for the Nice airport on the procedure for taking your checked bag to the customs officer and then getting checked). The down side of this is your pricey purchases are at the mercy of the airline.
On a side note, it is always advisable to select local currency when making purchases rather than USD since the card you use will likely charge a hefty fee. If you read up on the VAT thread in the general shopping forum you will find a lot of helpful information. Enjoy your trip and happy shopping!
Want to contribute a bit of info to this thread to pay it forward from my recent experience.
You can get your refund at the very last EU location that is right before your return to US/home country. This means that it can be your last location that you may have a connection in the EU.
Depending on how much your refund is, you may want to consider getting cash right there and then, vs. mailing and waiting.
if it's a relatively small amount (few hundred I think), For a surcharge of 3 Euros you get your cash right away instead of mailing forms and following up and waiting, etc.
if it's a larger amount, I think it's a small % of the refund amount - may be worth it. I think I lost like 10 Euro for over 1000 Euro refund - worth it to me for not dealing with the hassle and potential loss of form in processing etc. especially given the sizable amount of refund.
You can get your refund at the very last EU location that is right before your return to US/home country. This means that it can be your last location that you may have a connection in the EU.
Depending on how much your refund is, you may want to consider getting cash right there and then, vs. mailing and waiting.
if it's a relatively small amount (few hundred I think), For a surcharge of 3 Euros you get your cash right away instead of mailing forms and following up and waiting, etc.
if it's a larger amount, I think it's a small % of the refund amount - may be worth it. I think I lost like 10 Euro for over 1000 Euro refund - worth it to me for not dealing with the hassle and potential loss of form in processing etc. especially given the sizable amount of refund.
- A tip shared by the nice vendors and Chanel SA: The people at the premier/global blue counter will try very hard to persuade you into getting your cash refund back in USD. DON'T. They will give you a horrible exchange rate and you loose lots of $ that way. Get it back in Euro if you can. Most banks in US that you have an account with will give you a much more favorable exchange rate. I took the advice and avoided a loss of 6% difference in the rate because I got the refund back in Euro and exchanged it back to USD at m own bank - it's that much. You can always check your own bank's exchange rate the night/day before you get your refund to make your decision.
Oh one more thing, I think if your available scheduled time at the last EU location (e.g., your connecting flight location) is less than or around an hour only (e.g., tight connection/time available), you may be able to inform the EU country custom prior to that location by showing them the flight information and the limited time you have at that last EU country, and they should let you get your refund earlier at their country.
That's very useful Intel vanana! So is that mean if I bought a luxury goods in Paris I still can claim the VAT in London Heathrow airport? Is it true that they will take your original receipt? Cheers!
Italy is 22%! Hope that helps! If you're after a mini, I suggest you check out Linnea Piu in Mykonos! Their stock was really good when I visited in June!
VAT is 22% but one won't get back 22%. After administrative deduction, it is likely 14% if things have yet to change from a year and a half ago. No difference if it is credit card or cash refund but some cash refund counters will charge an additional 3-3.50EUR handling charge per receipt.Italy is 22%! Hope that helps! If you're after a mini, I suggest you check out Linnea Piu in Mykonos! Their stock was really good when I visited in June!
Italy is 22%! Hope that helps! If you're after a mini, I suggest you check out Linnea Piu in Mykonos! Their stock was really good when I visited in June!
Thank you!