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

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#1,291
Does anyone know typically how long it takes for the vat refund to be refunded back to a credit card (amex platinum) specifically from purchasing in France and detax at CDG through planet tax free? I tried searching this thread but didn't really see anything. Trying to manage my expectations of when the refund will arrive.

Also adding a data point, all Chanel forms regardless of price were rejected by the Pablo kiosk and I had to line up for a manual scan. The associate did not physically stamp and said with the manual scan there is no need to mail the forms. Also I did not need to show the goods. Planet tax free status says the forms were accepted.
 
#1,292
h.cc.lover said:
Does anyone know typically how long it takes for the vat refund to be refunded back to a credit card (amex platinum) specifically from purchasing in France and detax at CDG through planet tax free? I tried searching this thread but didn't really see anything. Trying to manage my expectations of when the refund will arrive.

Also adding a data point, all Chanel forms regardless of price were rejected by the Pablo kiosk and I had to line up for a manual scan. The associate did not physically stamp and said with the manual scan there is no need to mail the forms. Also I did not need to show the goods. Planet tax free status says the forms were accepted.
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mine was remitted back to my CC in about 10 weeks, slightly under 3 months in 2019, it was not Chanel, and all bills were manually stamped
 
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#1,293
h.cc.lover said:
Does anyone know typically how long it takes for the vat refund to be refunded back to a credit card (amex platinum) specifically from purchasing in France and detax at CDG through planet tax free? I tried searching this thread but didn't really see anything. Trying to manage my expectations of when the refund will arrive.

Also adding a data point, all Chanel forms regardless of price were rejected by the Pablo kiosk and I had to line up for a manual scan. The associate did not physically stamp and said with the manual scan there is no need to mail the forms. Also I did not need to show the goods. Planet tax free status says the forms were accepted.
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Last time I left CDG on 10/4/2019 and scanned it through the Pablo kiosk there. My refund was credited to my credit card here on 10/24/2019, so like within 3 weeks.
 
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#1,294
Blackgoldpearls said:
Hi Zixi1000! Do you mean I have to pay double tax? Once at US Customs and Border and another with my state of Texas? So 9% and then 8.25%?

Sounds like purchasing in Europe is not a very good idea anymore :sad:
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This is why I find it easier to purchase big items at my home boutique. You do get vat back but then have to declare and pay customs plus state sales tax if the item exceeds 800 USD. (When I buy a bag from a Japanese reseller, it’s the same: the price plus customs (usually 10%) plus state sales tax (after the first 8OO USD
 
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#1,295
Slightly different set of circumstances for me - was in Italy at the end of August/early Sept this year and had to drop my planet tax free refunds in the mailbox at the airport after they were electronically stamped. I got my first one back on my credit card within a couple of weeks. I still have not received the second one, but the planet tax free tracking said they've received the form. A friend who I traveled with is in the same position. I wouldn't be alarmed/surprised if it takes a few months.
 
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#1,296
sacha1009 said:
How's everybody here? Hope everyone is well...I am just wondering or anyone here knows about VAT refund? My husband is going to Germany and Italy soon and I am asking him to buy me LV..We know the price in europe is little bit cheaper than here in US, so if ever my husband going to buy my LV there, does he still can file for VAT refund? Thanks
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Yes, he can file for it in his final point of departure, but he will also have to declare it when he enters the US (could be customs plus state sales tax over the first 800 USD)
 
#1,297
h.cc.lover said:
Does anyone know typically how long it takes for the vat refund to be refunded back to a credit card (amex platinum) specifically from purchasing in France and detax at CDG through planet tax free? I tried searching this thread but didn't really see anything. Trying to manage my expectations of when the refund will arrive.

Also adding a data point, all Chanel forms regardless of price were rejected by the Pablo kiosk and I had to line up for a manual scan. The associate did not physically stamp and said with the manual scan there is no need to mail the forms. Also I did not need to show the goods. Planet tax free status says the forms were accepted.
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Did this last month for 2 separate Van Cleef & Arpels purchases in Paris and the first one took 1 week to get the refund on my credit card and the second took 3 weeks I believe. The second one was through Galleries Lafayette and the first was through Global Blue which was much faster. I was also concerned that the customs officer did not stamp my forms and told me to keep them and not to mail them because everything you read online and even on the instruction on the actual form says you have to drop the form in the box after it's validated, but I emailed the company and they said as long as the form was scanned (electronically validated) and it shows as validated when you look up the status then you're all good. The customs officer did ask me to show him my purchases and he inspected the jewelry pretty closely, maybe he's an expert VCA authenticator lol. I thought that was kinda funny
 
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#1,298
h.cc.lover said:
Does anyone know typically how long it takes for the vat refund to be refunded back to a credit card (amex platinum) specifically from purchasing in France and detax at CDG through planet tax free? I tried searching this thread but didn't really see anything. Trying to manage my expectations of when the refund will arrive.

Also adding a data point, all Chanel forms regardless of price were rejected by the Pablo kiosk and I had to line up for a manual scan. The associate did not physically stamp and said with the manual scan there is no need to mail the forms. Also I did not need to show the goods. Planet tax free status says the forms were accepted.
Click to expand...

The vat refund process is typically between 3 - 4 weeks... Afterwhich you can check with the operator what's the status if you still do not receive it.
 
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#1,300
I do not travel often at all. But from the US, is there still any country that you can take advantage of the price? Or you are just looking to see what different style and colors are available in different country??
 
#1,303
fantajisan said:
Does anyone have experience shipping bags from Singapore to the US (California)? My friend has bought me a bag in SG (priced a little under $2k, inclusive of local GST), and I'm really confused what the best way to ship and declare it is.
There appears to be special rate of 0% for imports from Singapore, but the bag is made in Italy (which I think I'm supposed to list as "country of origin"). So is the tax calculated at SG or IT level? Is it best to declare as gift ($100 tax free limit?) or sale ($800 tax free limit?)? I also hear it may be best to ship via regular mail vs UPS/Fedex/DHL to avoid duty charge?
So confused, any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi! Did you ever get an answer? I’m wondering the same thing!
 
#1,304
I will be going to Paris then London then back home to USA. Because London isn’t part of the EU anymore, do I file my tax refund at the Paris airport? Or do I still do it in London airport? Also, what if I’m taking the train? Will there be one there?
 
#1,305
Paris Airport. If you are taking the train there should be a detax center there.
sparkerly said:
I will be going to Paris then London then back home to USA. Because London isn’t part of the EU anymore, do I file my tax refund at the Paris airport? Or do I still do it in London airport? Also, what if I’m taking the train? Will there be one there?
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