Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...

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#406
hi everyone,

i have a vat question. recently i purchased a bag from goyard, and a ton of clothes from h&m and zara. i received a vat receipt from them, however when i took it to a place on my base that does vat forms, they told me i had the receipt for tourists, and i could only claim them if i was leaving the eu, which i won't be doing until i'm reassigned next year. so i called premiere tax, the company that handles the vat returns for goyard and they told me i had to have my form stamped when i left paris, however, i took the train from germany to paris and back and i did not notice any places that did vat forms (although i was rushing from one train to the next, as my train was rescheduled due to inclement weather). i was wondering what i should do? does anyone know if goyard could send send me a different vat receipt (i was told i should have gotten one for german residents). another minor problem is that i don't have a passport, i only had my military id at the time so the sa told me they would link the receipt to my military id. what should i do? i would really like to claim my vat as i have about 500 euro in receipts...
 
#407
Merry Xmas everyone! I am planning to make a trip to Paris in February. I am an international student studying in the UK. So I was wondering whether I can claim back VAT in Paris airport. Anyone that can help me with this? Thanks! :)
 
#408
Hi there

France is in the EU so UK residents returning home can't claim the tax back. I'm unsure whether you'd qualify for a tax rebate, if you were importing the goods into the UK I don't think you would be but as for what happens when you go back to your country of origin, I have no idea. Maybe there's a time limit?

Hope someone else who's been in a similar position can help more.
 
#410
Thank you very much tortoiseperson and syma :)

My bf is leaving to Singapore after our Paris trip from London Heathrow Terminal 4. I just checked that the custom office is at the check in. I was wondering whether he can claim the tax before he checks in and pass the goodies to me.

It's sad enough that he's going back while I have to stay for another few more months here. Even worse if my goodies have to go with him hahaha. And not claiming VAT will be such a loss as I am planning for a shopping spree :P
 
#411
^No, because you have to get your forms stamped before you check in and show your goods and then you have to pass airport security and show the goods again before receiving your refund.
 
#412
Just read this :"7.5.4 Am I making a declaration to Customs when I present the VAT refund document to the Customs officer?

Yes, you are making a declaration that:

you are eligible to use the scheme; and
that all the goods shown on the document are being exported from the EC by you.
It is a very serious offence to make a false declaration. This may involve you missing your flight or sailing and the misdeclared goods may be seized and penalties imposed."

Guess I will not take the risk. Chanels will have to wait till June then :(
 
#415
^^ Really. I received the email this morning from customer care. They told me the situation is beyond their control but they have contacted DHL in an attempt to get the delivery cleared. It's stuck in Ohio...
 
#417
This happened to me also with a pair of sunglasses ordered from the UK. It took a few days for DHL to get it cleared and processed through customs (mine were stuck in Ohio also). It's such a pain to deal with, but the reason is that sunglasses are FDA regulated so there are extra precautions when importing. Hopefully you get everything cleared up soon! :flowers:
 
#419
My pair of Jimmy Choo boots were stuck in customs in NYC for over 3 weeks!!! They were snake (I didn't realize they were real) and were sent to fish and wildlife. Of course the day they finally cleared customs and were put onto the truck there was a snowstorm, and it was a Friday! Of course the driver said that no one was at home when my entire family was there. I had to wait until the following Monday for them to arrive. All told, it took an entire month to get them! It took one day to fly them from England to NYC, and a month to travel the 1 1/2 hours to Orange County, NY!
 
#420
I had a tote bag stuck in Customs for a month. It had leather handles that were snake embossed, so everyone was in a tizzy over was it an exotic or not! I complained to J Choo numerous times to give Customs the adequate info, finally they did.
 
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