I've noticed that too! I wonder if there's any way I could get a corrected refund.
Duty | Tax | Customs for International shopping {VAT refund}
- Thread starter ivivi
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So I have spent a lot of research on this topic. It used to be CC was the best way as they took their already huge cut but the actually refund they were supposed to give would go in your CC. They changed this two years ago and now they charge their own conversion fee for putting it on a CC that isn’t from the currently being refunded. They take another 10-20% cut which should be illegal! Now the best way is to get cash as they charge a flat fee but then you get all the money back (but in the currency) so for those who don’t travel often might not be good if you don’t have a use. I don’t understand why other countries can’t be like Japan. It’s efficient and no middle man that rips you off!
My friend is leaving from Nice on a 6:40am flight heading to the airport in the next half hour, so assuming the customs office may be closed at around 4am. Hoping I can get quick answers now….
All her global blue purchases are OK since she sees it in her app, but she is worried about her Planet Tax Free ones. We have both shopped in the EU before, but this is a first where she has gotten a Planet Tax free form instead of Global Blue. In the past, all of our Global Blue Tax refunds have gone smoothly.
Does she just handwrite her credit card on the Planet Free tax form and put it in the box? I know there are kiosks there to scan the forms, but what if she gets a red light and customs isn’t open?
All her global blue purchases are OK since she sees it in her app, but she is worried about her Planet Tax Free ones. We have both shopped in the EU before, but this is a first where she has gotten a Planet Tax free form instead of Global Blue. In the past, all of our Global Blue Tax refunds have gone smoothly.
Does she just handwrite her credit card on the Planet Free tax form and put it in the box? I know there are kiosks there to scan the forms, but what if she gets a red light and customs isn’t open?
Her credit card should have been processed at the store where she made the purchase. They normally ring up the purchase. Then ask how you would like your refund and if you say on credit card they swipe your card to capture the number for the refund then hand you the form. Then they need to scan the forms at the kiosk at the final European airport she travels thru on the way home.
So they gave her a form which is all filled out, but there is no credit card info (not even the last 4 digits) or expiration on the form filled out by the store. So that’s why she is worried. She tried to contact Planet Tax free yesterday, but still no response.
Yes, I looked at a copy of her form, nothing filled out in section d. She is just going to handwrite it in which is what it seems to say on their website. I told her to take pictures of everything for documentation purposes in case things go awry.
Thanks for your help/speedy reply. She is minutes away from the airport now. I have relayed your help.
VAT refunds and US customs declarations are entirely separate processes. Declaring purchases to US customs upon returning has no effect on your VAT refund, which is handled by the EU country where you shopped. VAT refunds depend on meeting the specific rules of the country where the goods were purchased. US customs is only concerned with duties and taxes owed in the US. One process does not impact the other.
Hi All,
I am reporting what my experience was on Thursday, returning to the US from Paris. My BFF and I were in Paris together for 10 nights. We shopped at Goyard, Chanel, Hermes, Barrie, Vuitton and Burberry collectively. On our last day, we went through all our detax forms, converted the euro charges to dollars, took off the VAT and wrote all our purchases in categories and final totals. Upon arrival back in US, we took picture at Global Entry and moved to the immigration office for our lane. My officer was absolutely miserable and looked it too. My BFF's was much nicer. When I was asked if I had anything to declare, I told the truth and his head swung towards me in surprise. He then wrote notes in the computer, slammed my passport into a locked box and told me to go to another lane. My BFF had the same result, but her agent was nicer. Once in the other lane, I handed the paper to my agent who was somewhat more friendly. I told him I had done all the conversions, wanted to be honest and to make it clear and easy for him. He asked me several questions regarding what fibres my sweaters were each made of, if the bags were leather (also had to 2 bags as gifts for my DILs) and any other items. He then said "our new President wants us to charge the full tax on all items coming in". We conversed about how it's best to be honest etc. He told me he could have charged me much more but that since I was honest, he would charge me a 5% amount on all of it. Just want everyone to know a recent experience.
I am reporting what my experience was on Thursday, returning to the US from Paris. My BFF and I were in Paris together for 10 nights. We shopped at Goyard, Chanel, Hermes, Barrie, Vuitton and Burberry collectively. On our last day, we went through all our detax forms, converted the euro charges to dollars, took off the VAT and wrote all our purchases in categories and final totals. Upon arrival back in US, we took picture at Global Entry and moved to the immigration office for our lane. My officer was absolutely miserable and looked it too. My BFF's was much nicer. When I was asked if I had anything to declare, I told the truth and his head swung towards me in surprise. He then wrote notes in the computer, slammed my passport into a locked box and told me to go to another lane. My BFF had the same result, but her agent was nicer. Once in the other lane, I handed the paper to my agent who was somewhat more friendly. I told him I had done all the conversions, wanted to be honest and to make it clear and easy for him. He asked me several questions regarding what fibres my sweaters were each made of, if the bags were leather (also had to 2 bags as gifts for my DILs) and any other items. He then said "our new President wants us to charge the full tax on all items coming in". We conversed about how it's best to be honest etc. He told me he could have charged me much more but that since I was honest, he would charge me a 5% amount on all of it. Just want everyone to know a recent experience.