Hermes @ Heathrow Airport

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#31
I have been doing VAT refunds at Heathrow for the past 15 years. I have always had to show my items, no matter what. It is not that much of a pain when I consider how much I save!! You do it before immigration, show the goods, get the stamp, etc. After immigration, you go to the VAT booth and get the cash/credit. I am not aware of any limit on the VAT refund, and I've had a few heftier ones. eek. The smaller ones, I just take the cash so that I have some GBP for my next trip.
 
#32
Congrats on geting your birkin!!!!
Don't know anything about reclaiming VAT at Heathrow but I would recomend not to check in a birkin since most normal insurance companies will not cover the loss if your bag gets lost. The airlines do not cover that large amounts of checked in luggaged so if you plan to check it in I would really check with your insurance company before doing so.
 
#33
ladyhermes said:
Congrats on geting your birkin!!!!
Don't know anything about reclaiming VAT at Heathrow but I would recomend not to check in a birkin since most normal insurance companies will not cover the loss if your bag gets lost. The airlines do not cover that large amounts of checked in luggaged so if you plan to check it in I would really check with your insurance company before doing so.
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ITA! Regardless of the VAT claim process, it is not worthwhile to check your birkin in your luggage unless you have purchased extra insurance for them!
 
#34
>hermesmonkey, ladyhermes, hanyeu,

I apologise for the delay in thanking you all!

I have to listen to words from the wise people.
Yes, I thought about security issues actually, but didn't really think about checking the insurance policy.

From what I heard on this thread, I will have to take the bag through immigration to get refund so maybe I won't be able to check in B in my suitcase...

Thank you so much for your suggestion! :D
 
#36
HI Everyone,

I am heading over to London as my first stop in March, so if I purchase things there but Im heading to Paris and Milan after, do I go to get my VAT refunds when I return back to London to catch my flight back home or how does this work? Thanks! Just a llittle confusing ...
 
#37
jy81 said:
HI Everyone,

I am heading over to London as my first stop in March, so if I purchase things there but Im heading to Paris and Milan after, do I go to get my VAT refunds when I return back to London to catch my flight back home or how does this work? Thanks! Just a llittle confusing ...
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you get your tax refund when you exit europe. so Milan is ur last stop?that means you get your tax refund when you exit Milan.
 
#39
at heathrow airport, do you actually give all the forms at the VAT refund counter (before check-in)? i juz came back from ldn with my birkin purchase (in paris). and the officer juz kept all my forms after she stamped.. i didn't even get a chance to keep the green form :( will i still get my vat refund via my credit card?

thanks in advance!
 
#40
Hi everyone,

I just wanted to confirm if this is correct with the processing.

This is my schedule - The first stop of my trip is London. Then I'm off to Paris and then to Milan. The last city of my trip is officially Milan. Then I fly over to London for a transferring flight for an hour (staying in airside for the transfer) before I connect to my flight back to Hong Kong.

Which airport do I get my VAT documents stamped/checked & refunded?

I'm a little lost especially cause I'm going to so many cities.

Please help for people that know! Thanks so much!!
 
#42
Mme CLMdeF said:
>misssA (hello and happy new year! :balloon: )

thanks so much for your input!

the bit I don't understand is you handed in your forms to get them stamped and you had to go to another VAT desk after check-in??

from my experience, i have only been to one VAT counter and they dealt with everything there and then. (no more need to go to another VAT counter after check-in) that is the mystery i don't understand. for example, bagfreak48 didn't have to go to another VAT desk after check-in... what is the difference???

actually the goods i am talking about here is a birkin!!!! :yahoo:
so not 3000-4000, but about 5400 pounds now...
but i was told by my friend that when it is about 3000-4000 pounds, they get very strict and tried to check everything....

my intension is just to get a stamp for the bag and put it in the suitcase, rather than take it through the immigration and carry it all the way during the flight as a hand baggage (which i think is a pain).

i will pm you later on. ;)


>bagfreak48,

thank you so much for your comment. :D

does terminal 4 have a VAT desk before check-in????
I didn't know that. I was told that it is only terminal 3 that has a VAT counter before check-in.

Oh, so it is good to know that it is relatively painless to claim the VAT at terminal 4, even for expensive goods. my claim would be about 5000 pounds so fingers crossed.... but as the others suggest, it looks like i have to take the goods with me to the other side (airside) and show it to someone again to get refund... hmm... i really don't understand that.

thanks again for your comment. :tup:
Click to expand...

Sorry for jumping in. Is there any chance you could let me know how I can buy a birkin in London? I've tried several months. Nothing found.
 
#44
^Lol at the high street! Yes it is cheaper to buy H at the airport as a guide roughly 15% off the UK retail price. No kellys/birkins though and sometimes the inventory can be a bit limited.
 
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