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

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#481
I bought a LV bag at Printemps in Paris. I got the VAT refund immediately on my card by using their office at the department store. The lady gave me a form and told me I needed to get it stamped at the airport. That is all she said.
It came in an envelope. I got it stamped at CDG when I was coming back to the USA. Am I supposed to mail it in? B/C the form states it needs to be submitted within 21 days or my refund will be revoked and I will have to pay a 3 percent fee. Was there a box I was supposed to drop it off in at the airport? Anyway, too late for that? How do I submit the form now.....
 
#482
I'm bumping this thread since I've run into a situation where the VAT is posted as included in the price of the seller's listing. They are in Italy and I'm in USA. They say they can take off the VAT, but does that mean I might be hit with customs or duty charges once it's in the States? I ended up paying the VAT this time because I didn't want to take any chances but I'd like to know better for the future. ( I'm going to read that link posted above as well...)
 
#483
Intersting how small taxes you all have to pay. I've had it 4 times, that the german customs stoped my packages and I had to pay loads of taxes. The value you are allowed to bring into the country without taxes is (be prepared) 27 €. It is riduculous, becaus no one would import goods from out of the european union for less than 27 €, I mean the postage is higher than that -.-
The amount you have to pay than depends of what you import (jewelry, technical stuff an clothes have high rates, as they are quite often importet). The EU is very motivated to protect it's market from cheaper goods from the outside. That's why I always try to buy stuff within the EU so I don't have to pay taxes (yay for customs-union).
 
#484
You were supposed to drop it off in the yellow box right outside the VAT office at CDG.

But, you can get it sent back to France for processing if you live near a French embassy. You'll need to call them to find out the process. Some embassies request that you bring the merchandise with you, others don't. It can get complicated.
 
#488
TravelBug said:
What is the average VAT refund from purchases in the UK nowadays? 12%?
Click to expand...
Hello,

Im not sure if this has been asked.

I am wondering if I bought some expensive item at hermes, I see a lot people have them ship the item back to USA. In this case, can i still do VAT since we have to present item at the airport? How can this be done? Also, by shipping back to USA, i know i do have to pay duty tax , anyone know what % is it?

Any input is greatly appreciated it.

Thank you all :)
 
#489
is it possible to never receive the VAT refund when you mail it after you get home? i'm starting to wonder if i'll ever receive my refund...not sure if it got lost in the mail or if they're just slow at processing this stuff. i sent forms for 2 different VAT refunds- i received the smaller one in about a month, and now i'm still waiting on the larger one that was from the burberry outlet in london. it's been 2.5 months so far!

lesson learned, just do the VAT at the airport so you get the money ASAP!
 
#490
stephc005 said:
is it possible to never receive the VAT refund when you mail it after you get home? i'm starting to wonder if i'll ever receive my refund...not sure if it got lost in the mail or if they're just slow at processing this stuff. i sent forms for 2 different VAT refunds- i received the smaller one in about a month, and now i'm still waiting on the larger one that was from the burberry outlet in london. it's been 2.5 months so far!

lesson learned, just do the VAT at the airport so you get the money ASAP!
Click to expand...

I've waited for about three billing cycles before.. Different companies doin the tax refund so some is faster n some longer...
 
#491
stephc005 said:
is it possible to never receive the VAT refund when you mail it after you get home? i'm starting to wonder if i'll ever receive my refund...not sure if it got lost in the mail or if they're just slow at processing this stuff. i sent forms for 2 different VAT refunds- i received the smaller one in about a month, and now i'm still waiting on the larger one that was from the burberry outlet in london. it's been 2.5 months so far!

lesson learned, just do the VAT at the airport so you get the money ASAP!
Click to expand...


Sometimes it does take longer than expected...its surprising that so many

of the bigger companies take this long... perhaps contact your cc & let

them know you have a credit coming from Burberry they might be able

to see if it has been posted to your account..if that is how you paid
 
#493
stephc005 said:
is it possible to never receive the VAT refund when you mail it after you get home? i'm starting to wonder if i'll ever receive my refund...not sure if it got lost in the mail or if they're just slow at processing this stuff. i sent forms for 2 different VAT refunds- i received the smaller one in about a month, and now i'm still waiting on the larger one that was from the burberry outlet in london. it's been 2.5 months so far!

lesson learned, just do the VAT at the airport so you get the money ASAP!
Click to expand...

Hey StephC005 I need to mail my VAT form back to Europe too! Did you use UPS, FEDEX or USPS? I'm just wondering what will be the most reliable.
 
#494
^i used USPS. i don't know if my other form got lost in the mail or if they're just taking forever to process the refund. my 2 forms were being mailed to different places, so it's very possible that 1 of them got lost.
 
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