Thank you so much for your valuable info! I’ll be traveling around Europe but will fly out from Europe from CDG airport. So I’m assuming I would just do the VAT refund in Paris? Do I have to claim anything in another country (ie Belgium or Germany)?
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
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Thank you so much for your valuable info! I’ll be traveling around Europe but will fly out from Europe from CDG airport. So I’m assuming I would just do the VAT refund in Paris? Do I have to claim anything in another country (ie Belgium or Germany)?
Assuming your return flight from CDG has no connection within the EU before returning to the US, you will process all your forms at CDG. CDG has Pablo machines where you can scan your forms, which are super convenient. But I don’t think you will be able to use the Pablo machines for any purchases outside France, so you may have to go to the counter to get those forms stamped (and possibly inspected).
Oooh ok thanks! So I just wanted to make sure that when I leave France (and go to and from Belgium), I don’t have to claim anything. I’ll just have to make sure to use the Pablo machines at CDG?
. But, just to be safe, check your forms again ladies, error can happen
You are kinder than I am. I totally think they make those mistakes on purpose. It's like they try to keep you from getting it back. My recommendation is to take a photo of your stamped form before mailing it so that you have proof.
I live in the US and go to Europe several times a year and claim my VAT refund for all my eligible purchases. A friend has caught on that the Chanel medium classic flap she wants is cheaper there and asked me to purchase it for her and claim the VAT refund for it. She would pay me back the net cost for the bag. I don't mind doing so because I plan to make a purchase there myself but something tells me this is not allowed? The bag would be for her, I would be the visitor purchasing but it is not for my use, I'm not looking to make any profit and the trip is always for personal leisure, if that matters. So, is this allowed? I can't find a clear-cut answer.
I don’t think customs cares who the end user is of the bag. You will be responsible to declare the purchase and pay all taxes/duties that will be due when you come back to the States. Just have your friend pay you back the total amount of the bag plus any taxes/duties due.
I don't know if this has been asked already, and I'm sorry if it has been but...when claiming your purchases in your home country...
1. Do you claim the purchase in your home currency (in my case US $) or the currency of the country you bought your item ie. EURO?
2. Do you claim the purchase price minus the VAT refund?
TIA
1. Do you claim the purchase in your home currency (in my case US $) or the currency of the country you bought your item ie. EURO?
2. Do you claim the purchase price minus the VAT refund?
TIA
Sorry. The $800 was the exemption and I think the 1,000 was an additional reduction prior to calculating the tax.
Hi all
Is it mandatory to use the same credit card used for buying for the vat refund?
Did anybody experienced using another credit card for refund and how did it turn out?
Thanks a lot
Is it mandatory to use the same credit card used for buying for the vat refund?
Did anybody experienced using another credit card for refund and how did it turn out?
Thanks a lot
To my knowledge yes, the VAT must be returned to the same card that you purchased it with. You can opt for a more immediate refund by choosing the cash route, but it's something like 10% or 11% (not sure of the percentage because I always opt for cc refund) versus the 12% (or in the case of buying from a Chanel boutique, 13% back) you would get back on the card.
Thanks a lot foryour reply ❤️
I am a bit confused with this process..
I left the country where I bought the stuff without asking for the refund! When I came back home, the vat refund offices in town told me they cannot refund me for a international purchase! And I dont want to get refunded on the buying credit card for various reason...
Any idea? Suggestion?
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you must start the VAT process in the country where you purchased the item. The boutique you buy your item from draws up the paperwork for the VAT refund, I don't think you can do that back in your home country since the VAT refund is only available to residents who live outside that country, hence why they always ask you for your passport and say that you must leave the country where you purchased the item within a certain amount of days after the VAT papers are generated in order to get the VAT amount back.
I have a VERY dumb question. If I have my boyfriend buy a $2500 Chanel bag at the boutique in the Heathrow airport will he have to pay customs once he flies back to the United States? (I would pay my boyfriend 100% back of course btw. I am only asking him since he’s there for a trip anyways.)
I thought the whole point of buying overseas was to save money and not have to pay the extra fees (taxes).
Can anyone share their experience with buying at Heathrow and claiming their bag at customs?
I thought the whole point of buying overseas was to save money and not have to pay the extra fees (taxes).
Can anyone share their experience with buying at Heathrow and claiming their bag at customs?
Depends. We just arrived back at DFW. The last time we flew overseas was 5 years ago and I brought back a LV. At that time we had to fill out a customs claim form on the plane before landing and then hand it in after collecting our bags. They just took the paper and waved us through. This time totally different. There was no form to fill out, but when going back through customs you either tell them, or like us they see the bag. At customs he immediately noticed the bag and asked how much spent, put my passport in this locked container that we had to take with us to collect our bags and then to the line to tell them approx. how much spent where they then take more info and tell you how much you have to pay
. Since we traveled together and the total could be split between us they then took a 3% fee what was over the total between us
. It really wasn't that much. He may get lucky and be like us 5 years ago and just get waved through. OR.....there may be that small fee. You'll still be coming out ahead though.
. Since we traveled together and the total could be split between us they then took a 3% fee what was over the total between us. It really wasn't that much. He may get lucky and be like us 5 years ago and just get waved through. OR.....there may be that small fee. You'll still be coming out ahead though.