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

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#1,216
I was just in both London and Paris, flying in and out of Heathrow. I didn't look at any of the stores in London, because had thought I might look in Paris. I stumbled upon the Chanel Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré one day, walked in and was helped right away as it wasn't busy. They had what I was looking for, CF with GHW in caviar and I purchased. Was in an out of the store in about 30 mins. A nice experience overall (I could have taken more time but had the family in tow with me). The store prepared all the paperwork we would need at Heathrow.

When we flew out of Heathrow we had plenty of time and went to the VAT entrance at the front of the building before even checking our bags. It was 8:45 in the morning and the VAT wasn't busy and easy to process the paperwork (our first time doing that and had three separate stores to file). I believe you can also make an appointment for the VAT which might be nice as I can imagine the line being long. We got lucky with essentially no line. There is also VAT stations after getting through security I believe, but we went into the first one we saw since we had so much time.

After getting through security, I decided to stop into the Chanel store in the terminal. I had wanted to look at some other CF as I only looked at the one I bought. I was told that they don't even carry CF at Heathrow and had more seasonal pieces. I'm a newbie to Chanel so have no idea if that is accurate, but think I would start looking for what you would like in your first city knowing you have a second city as a back-up.

Have fun! I had the best time in both London and Paris and can't wait to go back.
 
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#1,217
Yes, Heathrow doesn’t carry any of the classic flaps or reissues, they only do seasonal pieces. Judging from the price listed by OP, it’s not a CF.
There is a thread out there where members share what they’ve seen going through heathrow, OP might find that helpful.
Finally, if OP wants to try Heathrow, this post summarizes what you need to know pretty well https://www.chaseamie.com/uncategorized/how-to-buy-chanel-at-heathrow-without/

HTH!
 
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#1,218
Thank you all! This is super helpful.

I’ll be flying into Heathrow and then ultimately get to Paris by train and fly back to the states from there. I’d imagine, then, at Heathrow I’d still have to do the VAT refund process and wouldn’t be able to just purchase it without the VAT?
 
#1,219
nicoletimur said:
Thank you all! This is super helpful.

I’ll be flying into Heathrow and then ultimately get to Paris by train and fly back to the states from there. I’d imagine, then, at Heathrow I’d still have to do the VAT refund process and wouldn’t be able to just purchase it without the VAT?
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You claim the VAT at the last airport you are in before leaving the EU. It sounds like you are leaving from Paris, so you would file all your VAT paperwork in CDG. The process is pretty easy and straightforward. As for where the best prices are, the VAT you receive is only based on the country you are leaving from. It will depend on the exchange rates when you are traveling to know what the best purchase price is. If it’s a hard to find item I would start looking in your first city.
 
#1,220
ivivi said:
hi everyone:

I am new in TPF, I have been saving for my first chanel for a while,
so now it is the time for me to get one but the price in CANADA is tooooooo hign, since British Pound is going down, I am thinking to buy one classic flap from UK,
I live in CANADA, I would like to know if anyone have ever order from UK and how the duty and tax will be.

thanks
happy new year
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Oh Canada!! everything is so expensive here :( I bought mine in Paris they deducted VAT right away.
 
#1,224
winniesigh said:
Has anyone done the VAT refund in Vienna airport? I have a very early flight (7AM) and am worried that the customs office won’t be open to inspect my items. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
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I flew out of Vienna a few years ago with a connection in Amsterdam and attempted to process my VAT Refunds Forms at the Vienna airport. I don't recall the exact time, but it was early morning (I want to say around 6:00 a.m.) and a customs officer was there; however, because I was not checking my purchases and they were staying in my carry on, the customs officer would not process my VAT Refund Forms. My understanding is this rule is somewhat flexible, but the customs officer I encountered would not budge (and I wasn't about to put my purchases in my checked bag), so I had to process my VAT Refund Forms in Amsterdam during my layover. So just an FYI, if you have a layover anywhere within the EU they might not let you process your forms in Vienna. GL!
 
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#1,226
Hi All,

i'm sorry I'm re-asking the question but I want to be 100% sure and prepared to wait on lines potentially:
I am flying to Europe in a couple of weeks. I'm flying to Italy first where I intend to hit up Gucci for a couple of items. After Italy we are flying to Paris where I intend to hit up Chanel/YSL/and Celine.

I understand that I may be able to collect my VAT for the chanel purchases at chanel. But the other items I am assuming I have to go to the airport.

So:
1. For the purchases I made in Italy, I would claim the VAT at CDG right? Those items would have to be with me at the VAT for inspection?
2. For the purchases where I get the VAT back in store, I can just pack those in my checked in and not worry about showing at CDG?

Thanks.
 
#1,227
snappinshell said:
Hi All,

i'm sorry I'm re-asking the question but I want to be 100% sure and prepared to wait on lines potentially:
I am flying to Europe in a couple of weeks. I'm flying to Italy first where I intend to hit up Gucci for a couple of items. After Italy we are flying to Paris where I intend to hit up Chanel/YSL/and Celine.

I understand that I may be able to collect my VAT for the chanel purchases at chanel. But the other items I am assuming I have to go to the airport.

So:
1. For the purchases I made in Italy, I would claim the VAT at CDG right? Those items would have to be with me at the VAT for inspection?
2. For the purchases where I get the VAT back in store, I can just pack those in my checked in and not worry about showing at CDG?

Thanks.
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You need to have everything with you at your last EU port of departure which in your case is CDG. Even if a store gave you the VAT tax back, it is dependent on you leaving the EU so you will still need to get the papers stamped. If not, Chanel or the store can charge you the fees back. You still can have stuff in your checked luggage, just make sure to go to customs with your checked luggage before checking it in case they ask to see the stuff.
 
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#1,228
snappinshell said:
Hi All,
So:
1. For the purchases I made in Italy, I would claim the VAT at CDG right? Those items would have to be with me at the VAT for inspection?
2. For the purchases where I get the VAT back in store, I can just pack those in my checked in and not worry about showing at CDG?
Click to expand...

Please think twice about checking expensive items like this in your luggage. I would carry them all on personally. You can buy a large Longchamp nylon travel bag while you are in Paris, pack everything in it in original boxes, get it checked by customs, get your VAT paperwork taken care of, go through security, and carry it right on the plane. I've done this multiple times and there is no worry about anything being damaged or lost or stolen.
 
#1,229
I bought a bag at Rue Cambon in Paris and I was told by the SA that I qualified for an immediate vat refund. Therefore they charged me the post VAT price upon checkout which was great. I leave Paris today, and I flew out of a new terminal where I wasn't familiar with where the kiosks were which lead me to go all the way to my terminal, pass immigration, pass security only to find out there was no kiosk where my terminal was - it was back where we dropped off our baggage. So I rushed back to the baggage drop off terminal but I didn't have my handbag with me - I was presumptuous and hoping I would get the green sign. Unlucky me I didn't, I got the red sign. So I went to the customs agent and explained to him. He pointed to the disclaimer that "you may be subject to an inspection" etc. Language was obviously a barrier, but in the end he told me everything was okay?? But he didn't stamp my form, so obviously I'm kinda confused.

So my question is, has anyone else been in this situation where Chanel gave you the immediate detax price but your Pablo form was rejected at the kiosk? I'm worried that the vat will be charged back to my CC since I technically don't have an approved/stamped form.

Any advice is appreciated, I'm even considering reaching out to the detax company to explain and confirm that everything is in order.

Thank you!!
 
#1,230
xlana said:
I bought a bag at Rue Cambon in Paris and I was told by the SA that I qualified for an immediate vat refund. Therefore they charged me the post VAT price upon checkout which was great. I leave Paris today, and I flew out of a new terminal where I wasn't familiar with where the kiosks were which lead me to go all the way to my terminal, pass immigration, pass security only to find out there was no kiosk where my terminal was - it was back where we dropped off our baggage. So I rushed back to the baggage drop off terminal but I didn't have my handbag with me - I was presumptuous and hoping I would get the green sign. Unlucky me I didn't, I got the red sign. So I went to the customs agent and explained to him. He pointed to the disclaimer that "you may be subject to an inspection" etc. Language was obviously a barrier, but in the end he told me everything was okay?? But he didn't stamp my form, so obviously I'm kinda confused.

So my question is, has anyone else been in this situation where Chanel gave you the immediate detax price but your Pablo form was rejected at the kiosk? I'm worried that the vat will be charged back to my CC since I technically don't have an approved/stamped form.

Any advice is appreciated, I'm even considering reaching out to the detax company to explain and confirm that everything is in order.

Thank you!!
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If the custom’s agent scanned your VAT form manually, you should be fine.
 
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