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

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#706
Don't even know how to begin. I am so upset. One of my Gianmarco Lorenzi disco ball shoes broke (the platform got cracked). I emailed the customer care at the GL website and they offered me to fix them (replace the part) for 50 euros. So I mailed the shoes to them with insurance (the maximum insurance I could get to Italy was $650, so I went with Global and insured them for the maximum it offered - $2499). I also did state that this is not a purchase or gift, but I am sending my shoes for repairs.
Now the tracking says: "Your item has experienced delays in the clearance process at our shipping partner facility in LONATE POZZOLO , ITALY". And today I got an email from Gianmarco Lorenzi that they need me to declare that I will pay all the taxes and duties and then once the shoes are released they will fix them.
I went online and found a duty calculator, input all the info and it tells me that the duty is $495, VAT - $749... and my total landed cost is going to be 4,174 USD!!!! Is that even possible? I am so lost right now! I can't pay that much! What should I do? What CAN I do?
Please please help! If anyone has experienced anything like this! Any input! TIA
 
#708
Hi!

I'm flying through London Heathrow, terminal 5.

I know there's two places to reclaim the VAT, before security and after security.
Will the after security window give me cash back (I want cash back).
I know the line is much shorter after security, so if I can go through the process after security and get my VAT refund in cash, I'll just go through security right away.
 
#709
bakeacookie said:
Hi!

I'm flying through London Heathrow, terminal 5.

I know there's two places to reclaim the VAT, before security and after security.
Will the after security window give me cash back (I want cash back).
I know the line is much shorter after security, so if I can go through the process after security and get my VAT refund in cash, I'll just go through security right away.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get cash back before or after security. They'll take a small fee - can't recall how much £2?
 
#710
peachy_gurl said:
Hi all,

I have a questions about claiming vat when there is a layover with only 1 hr. So the flight is going to be from Paris (ORY) arrive in London at 4:00pm then leave london at 5:15pm to Vancouver. The layover from London is only 1 hr 15 mins. Since we check in our bags in Paris, can we claim all our vat at the Paris (ORY) airport? And if we do, do we show the VAT officer that we have a connecting flight? Anyone have experience with such a short layover? Any info would be appreciated!

Thank you!
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Have you gone on your flight yet? Any items you wish to put in your hold luggage (checked luggage ) must be shown before checking your luggage in. They'll give you a paper or something to show that you are entitled to VAT. Once you have checked your luggage, you cannot claim VAT (without that paper).

You are required to collect VAT at your last departure port (when you leave the EU). This will be LHR. You can try at Orly, and explain your transfer time problem, but most likely they'll want you to do the reclaim in London.
 
#711
I departed Milan Oct 4 and the girl swiped my card directly and gave me my receipt and said refund in 5 days. Last year at CDG I did the mail route and it was understandable it took longer to see on my credit card statement. Global Blue says they sent the information to AMEX (in £) on Oct 9 and today is Oct 21 and I called AMEX and they don't see anything.

It's been 6 business days since the 9th. Should I keep waiting? Has anyone experienced this with the direct swiping at the VAT desk of their credit card?
 
#712
Hi I've seen on a few posts the mentioning about VAT when you've bought something in a different country, are you able to claim this back when you leave or something? If so how?

Any help on this matter would be much appreciated. I am hoping to take a trip to Paris ASAP.

Thanks in advance ladies
 
#715
Everyone, just so you all know..bringing your receipt to the VAT office at the airport is not enough. In order to get a refund for VAT paid, you must also present the merchandise, so DO NOT pack it with your checked luggage. If you can't physically show them the merchandise that corresponds with the receipt, then you WILL NOT get refund!

I learned this the hard way.
 
#716
Hi everyone! So i live in Europe but my boyfriend is visiting US and will stay in vegas for a few days. Do you think it is possible for me to order via the macys.com and have him pick it up at the store? Since the prices are SO much cheaper in US it would be a bargain :) Anybody tried the pick it up in store?
 
#717
cberrie said:
Hi everyone! So i live in Europe but my boyfriend is visiting US and will stay in vegas for a few days. Do you think it is possible for me to order via the macys.com and have him pick it up at the store? Since the prices are SO much cheaper in US it would be a bargain :) Anybody tried the pick it up in store?
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I didn't know Macy's allowed in-store pickup for online purchases. But if it says so on their website then it should be fine! I don't see why there would be any issues with him collecting the items. Just make sure you add his name to the purchase notes AND add his passport number because Americans tend to not willing accept foreign ID's as proper identification..unless its a passport.

Aside from that, I really don't think there will be any issues. I say, buy as much as he can carry :D:laugh::laugh: Matter of fact, send him with 2 EMPTY SUITCASES!!!! (I take empty suitcases to Italy all the time! lol)
 
#718
elsarosen said:
I didn't know Macy's allowed in-store pickup for online purchases. But if it says so on their website then it should be fine! I don't see why there would be any issues with him collecting the items. Just make sure you add his name to the purchase notes AND add his passport number because Americans tend to not willing accept foreign ID's as proper identification..unless its a passport.

Aside from that, I really don't think there will be any issues. I say, buy as much as he can carry :D:laugh::laugh: Matter of fact, send him with 2 EMPTY SUITCASES!!!! (I take empty suitcases to Italy all the time! lol)
Click to expand...

Me neither! I discovered this only yesterday! This solves sooooo much problems. Its so effective that I can sit here and order the things I want and have him pick it up! unfortunately it seems that Macys doesnt accept international credit cards so i will go with nordstrom instead! ;)
 
#719
Hello, has anyone in the past had an experience where the vat for was lost? I purchased a Cartier bracelet in London in September, I flew out of Edinburgh airport, there was no kiosk to process the refund just a Dropbox that said to put your refund form in. I left the form there on Sept. 20, and no word on my refund so I started to to call and they have no record of the form. Global blue has no form, I called them, customs, and the store and just getting the run around. Any suggestions on what to do? Or am I pretty much out my $900 refund?
 
#720
aga5 said:
Hello, has anyone in the past had an experience where the vat for was lost? I purchased a Cartier bracelet in London in September, I flew out of Edinburgh airport, there was no kiosk to process the refund just a Dropbox that said to put your refund form in. I left the form there on Sept. 20, and no word on my refund so I started to to call and they have no record of the form. Global blue has no form, I called them, customs, and the store and just getting the run around. Any suggestions on what to do? Or am I pretty much out my $900 refund?
Click to expand...


Did you fund this purchase with a credit card? If so, try contacting your cc

Did you keep a copy of the form for your records? If so, I would
fax all the info to Cartier & start there..

Good luck... you will need patience for this.
 
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