Question about Canadian Customs: if I purchase a bag in Europe and declare my purchase upon returning to Canada, will I get charged 13% HST on the full amount of the bag or whatever amount is above the $800 limit? And am I allowed to combine my allowance with that of my children ($800 x 2 children + my own $800 allowance = $2,400)?? Thx.
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
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HST is on the full amount (including VAT) above your $800 limit. And you can’t combine with your kids.
Need your help girls!!
Bought my item in Galeries Lafayette. Had my tax refund in Galeries Lafayette, we opted for credit card refund and they provided us the form to be mailed at the airport. Rome was our last destination. When we reached the Rome Fiumucino Airport, we went to the customs counter, presented the item then they stamped the form. I was told to mail the form at gate E51 mailbox. When we reached there, I realized that the envelope given to us by Galeries Lafayette had no stamp!! I panicked since we had to board in a few minutes. We asked the ladies in duty free on where to buy stamps, we were told to just drop the envelope in the mailbox, no stamp needed??
Can someone confirm if this is the correct process?? I am really worried that my form wouldn't reach the galeries lafayette office in France. This is such a stressful procedure!!
Bought my item in Galeries Lafayette. Had my tax refund in Galeries Lafayette, we opted for credit card refund and they provided us the form to be mailed at the airport. Rome was our last destination. When we reached the Rome Fiumucino Airport, we went to the customs counter, presented the item then they stamped the form. I was told to mail the form at gate E51 mailbox. When we reached there, I realized that the envelope given to us by Galeries Lafayette had no stamp!! I panicked since we had to board in a few minutes. We asked the ladies in duty free on where to buy stamps, we were told to just drop the envelope in the mailbox, no stamp needed??
Can someone confirm if this is the correct process?? I am really worried that my form wouldn't reach the galeries lafayette office in France. This is such a stressful procedure!!
I’ve been given Global Blue envelope by galeries lafayette (non chanel purchase). The envelope is stamp paid already. There’s a stamp size rectangle on the right upper side. Even if you’re given Premier Tax Free form (like in stand alone chanel boutique), it also has the stamp paid already. You just need to drop in the mailbox.Need your help girls!!
Bought my item in Galeries Lafayette. Had my tax refund in Galeries Lafayette, we opted for credit card refund and they provided us the form to be mailed at the airport. Rome was our last destination. When we reached the Rome Fiumucino Airport, we went to the customs counter, presented the item then they stamped the form. I was told to mail the form at gate E51 mailbox. When we reached there, I realized that the envelope given to us by Galeries Lafayette had no stamp!! I panicked since we had to board in a few minutes. We asked the ladies in duty free on where to buy stamps, we were told to just drop the envelope in the mailbox, no stamp needed??
Can someone confirm if this is the correct process?? I am really worried that my form wouldn't reach the galeries lafayette office in France. This is such a stressful procedure!!
Here’s what it look like. Pic taken frim google
Oh and btw the mail won’t go to galeries layatte but to vat refund office (global blue/premier tax free). They are the one who will process the refund to your credit card. Even if tou don’t mail it in the airport, you can always mail them from your home country or just find their office in your home country (usually in airport or city centre). Just be aware of the time limit. They must receive within certain period. Good luckNeed your help girls!!
Bought my item in Galeries Lafayette. Had my tax refund in Galeries Lafayette, we opted for credit card refund and they provided us the form to be mailed at the airport. Rome was our last destination. When we reached the Rome Fiumucino Airport, we went to the customs counter, presented the item then they stamped the form. I was told to mail the form at gate E51 mailbox. When we reached there, I realized that the envelope given to us by Galeries Lafayette had no stamp!! I panicked since we had to board in a few minutes. We asked the ladies in duty free on where to buy stamps, we were told to just drop the envelope in the mailbox, no stamp needed??
Can someone confirm if this is the correct process?? I am really worried that my form wouldn't reach the galeries lafayette office in France. This is such a stressful procedure!!
Strange to me. Never been given a Galeries Lafayette envelope for vat refund process. But my experience was never specifically with Chanel in GL nor GL in Paris although still in France. I thought GL has the same procedure all around France. I would keep it until I got home and send it via registered mail to GL, since it's a lot of money (of course, with Chanel purchase) or best communicate with them via email or phone to have further guidance. Since you already dropped in the mailbox, contact GL once you get home. Just to be sure.
Maybe somebody with exact same experience can help. I wish you best of luck dear!
Thanks for your inputs. I emailed them yesterday, no response yet. Do you think that a postage stamp is required for my envelope? Im really hoping to get my tax refund. [emoji17] By the way, this is a non-chanel purchase. Louis Vuitton specifically. Are there any difference?
Hi dear, I am sorry I can't confirm that. I assume from the envelope that has 'franking area' for stamp instead of 'no stamp required'. But you have been convinced by 2 people in the airport so I really hope they were right. It might just the normal procedure in Rome airport.Thanks for your inputs. I emailed them yesterday, no response yet. Do you think that a postage stamp is required for my envelope? Im really hoping to get my tax refund.By the way, this is a non-chanel purchase. Louis Vuitton specifically. Are there any difference?
Galleries Lafayette, like many big dept stores or stand alone stores around EU issue form from the vat refund company. Unless they do the tax by themselves (they give you money directly, not via vat refund company). I have always given the Global blue form from them, but maybe their regulation has changed. Did you remember what the form (not envelope) looked like? Did you took a picture for your documentation? I really hope for the best.
Yeah I did. It was a Galeries Lafayette form. I sent it to their email and response yet
I really wish all will turn ok. So GL will refund right away to you. Good luck dear, finger crossed for you!Yeah I did. It was a Galeries Lafayette form. I sent it to their email and response yet
After following-up my email and calling them on their hotline, I finally received a response from them telling me that the envelope needs to have a postage stamp and that my Tax refund request would be invalid even if I have the soft copy of the form approved by customs.
This is really unfair on my part considering the instructions given to me by the Galeries Lafayette staff was unclear. Even on their website it was stated to use their envelope without mentioning about the postage stamp giving the assumption that the envelop was already pre-paid (see screenshot below). And besides, I have a softcopy of the tax refund form approved/stamped by customs. It should be enough evidence to justify that my items are eligible for a full vat refund.
They did not offer other options to help me, they just said its invalid. That's it! Terrible service!
Can someone advise if the original form is really necessary to process the refund? As in no exceptions? I have read somewhere that some companies are accepting other evidences that items left the country and eligible for refund even they don't have the softcopy of the stamped form. What more in my case?? Where can I file a complaint? Can someone help? Thanks!
This is really unfair on my part considering the instructions given to me by the Galeries Lafayette staff was unclear. Even on their website it was stated to use their envelope without mentioning about the postage stamp giving the assumption that the envelop was already pre-paid (see screenshot below). And besides, I have a softcopy of the tax refund form approved/stamped by customs. It should be enough evidence to justify that my items are eligible for a full vat refund.
They did not offer other options to help me, they just said its invalid. That's it! Terrible service!
Can someone advise if the original form is really necessary to process the refund? As in no exceptions? I have read somewhere that some companies are accepting other evidences that items left the country and eligible for refund even they don't have the softcopy of the stamped form. What more in my case?? Where can I file a complaint? Can someone help? Thanks!
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Did you get this resolved? Did you eventually receive a tax refund?
It has been more than 5 weeks and I have not recieved my refund either. I purchased in UK and claimed vat in portugal. The enveloped states it needs a stamp of posted outside the country of purchase however I asked the lady at premier and she said it was not needed. It has been nearly 6 weeks and I haven't received anything yet. I am hoping you got your refund.
On average, how long did it take for the VAT from premier to show up on your credit card? It has been almost 6 weeks and I have not gotten my refund yet. I purchased in UK and claimed it in Portugal. I did not put a stamp on the envelope even though it says postage required if mailed outside UK. I asked the attendant at the premier counter and she said none required. I also forgot to take a picture of the VAT receipt and bar code. Is there any way to track down my refund?