Yes! After it has been scanned at the machine or stamped by a person at the desk (if the machine directs you to do that).
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
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Yes! After it has been scanned at the machine or stamped by a person at the desk (if the machine directs you to do that).
I’m having the same issue. By any chance did you pay with Amex? My friend got hers from Chanel refunded to her card right away (on a Visa card) but mine shows paid for about 10 days now and still nothing in my Amex account.
I have a mixed situation. Made purchases in France and Austria, scanned/mailed forms in Austria. France - 1 purchase processed within 3-4 days after scanning, 2 others took about a week (both Global Blue). Austria - 1 from Planet posted 3 weeks later, and 1 Global Blue is still pending.
Also, BEWARE! Anybody notice Global Blue & Planet is not applying currency conversion from eur to usd? Should've received 220eur for one purchase, which is around 1.09x = 239.8usd but they gave me 220usd! No conversion! That's stealing another 9% on top of the ridiculous processing fee they take on the full amount + credit card processing fee (chat rep said it's 2eur but I got charged 3.27usd - this conversion also doesn't make sense).
Chat rep kept saying it's the correct usd amount, which I had to push saying it's incorrect because even my actual purchases charged in eur was higher in usd so the rep finally said he will ask have someone "review" and email back. Not sure if anything will happen on their end, so I will eventually file a claim with my cc to fight it out.
Changing the exchange rate by a couple points I can accept, but not doing it at all?? That is theft. In the future, I will always process payment in the city, so I can make sure the correct amount is applied. It negates any savings for some of my purchases. Didn't have this issue in the past...
Also, I noticed on Global Blue app that they first show the correct eur amount to be refunded when pending, and then they switch it to usd after refund (at 1:1, not with 1.09 higher usd amount). Such shady business practice!
Hi Everyone,
I’m flying into Paris and then going to Italy before going back to Paris to leave from there. Would I be able to claim VAT in Italy when I leave Italy to go back to Paris or do I have to claim everything in my last destination (here being Paris). Wondering since Italy’s rate is slightly higher.
Thanks!!!
I’m flying into Paris and then going to Italy before going back to Paris to leave from there. Would I be able to claim VAT in Italy when I leave Italy to go back to Paris or do I have to claim everything in my last destination (here being Paris). Wondering since Italy’s rate is slightly higher.
Thanks!!!
Your VAT refund amount is based on the country in which you purchase items, not where you scan your forms at the airport.
I don't trust them at all. They make it really hard. I took photos of all my stamped docs at the airport so they couldn't claim they never got it. Sure enough, out of about 8 items, I didn't get one or two. I filed a claim and eventually got it but I don't trust them when they say don't worry, it's all good.
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The last two times we were in Europe, we left through Nice and had them stamped there (and mailed them from Nice) even though we were flying through Frankfurt as a stopover. We never had any problems doing that. But when we were in Italy (leaving from Rome), they made us get stamped in Frankfurt (the last EU country we were in). It was a nightmare trying to find the place to get stamped. It was kind of like they didn't WANT you to find it. The first year, we didn't have enough time to get across the airport and make the kiosk and one year, it was a Sunday and they were closed and you had to go to a completely different part of the airport (which we didn't have time to do). It seemed to me like they did everything possible to keep you from getting your refund, making up the rules as they went along.
@pippa_nyc , I forgot to add there should be an airport phone with a number to call in order to find someone to staff the desk on off hours. It’s not always easy or convenient, but it is what it is. Sometimes there will be a location in the city where one can do detax prior to going to the airport. I think I’ve done that once (I’d like to say it was in Berlin, but I don’t really remember). Except for Hermes FSH, I tend to limit RTW and accessory shopping to my local boutiques. Art and furniture and other items that are sent home tend to be easier bc the paperwork is done for you. This is just my limited experience
Omg yes - this comment! Frankfurt VAT experience was horrible (kiosk was so hard to find for connecting flights and the employees were difficult). The employee requested to see the goods (fair enough), but then began questioning me about why my vanity case was listed as more expensive than a passport holder on the receipt. I was like ma’am it’s a larger good and my receipt is legit lol I will be avoiding Frankfurt airport at all costs.
Hello all, has anyone had any experience with using the wrong mail box for the VAT refund? Did it still process? My forms were from Planet Payment but I accidentally dropped it in the Global Blue mailbox at the airport without realizing Planet had their own box. Luckily the address was on the envelope but I am worried it might not reach the correct destination. 
thank you!
thank you!This was the setup at VIE airport early in the morning. They closed down the form scanning machines before security, so had to find booth with all items in hand after security. Booth was closed with instructions to download the app for self-service process. Instructions said they will charge extra if you call for someone lol
I did some research before as I was in the same shoes last year. I flew out from Milan - having a layover in Paris - US. I claimed the tax refund in Italy.
I believe you can claim tax refund at the first exit airport in your itinerary out of EU. There are some requirements:
- Your layover is less 3 hours (some sources said same day flight is also fine, provided that you don't have access to the VAT customs at your transit airport)
- Your bags must be checked through
(Source -- there is a link in the first answer that directs you to the official guidance by France. It is in French though)
Some notes:
- I didn't have any problems stamping my France purchase in Italy. I showed the custom all my boarding passes, including the second leg to my final destination (Paris - US)
- I found the refund process in Milan is less seamless than in Paris. There was no automatic kiosks. You need to queue and get tax refund at Global Blue/ Planet Tax kiosks. For purchases outside of Italy, you must get the custom stamp and the custom in Milan was super slow and rude. The line can get pretty long and they don't open 24 hours, so if you need to get refund on purchases outside of Italy, plan plenty of time for the tax refund. The office opens at 7am (don't remember the exact time here). I arrived at the airport around 6:30 and there was 5 in front of me. Also, they didn't open at 7am as they are supposed to. When we grabbed someone and asked what time they would open, the custom guy was like "We open when we want to"
- After getting the custom stamp, you need to drop the form in the mailbox to mail it back to Global Blue in France. And the refund process took so much longer than my usual processing time in Paris