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

[FunBagz]

I wanted to share my recent experience with the VAT Refund in EU. I made a number of purchases in Paris using my credit card and elected to have the VAT Refunds applied to my card. I had refunds due from Global Blue (LV, Valentino, Tag Heuer, etc.) and Premier Tax (Chanel). I flew out of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on June 1 and had my vouchers validated/stamped at the Customs location beyond the security checkpoint since the line at Customs before security was very long all of my purchased fit in my carry on. Since a Global Blue counter is located right next to Customs, I was able to hand deliver my Global Blue vouchers and the Global Blue VAT Refund was credited to my card on June 25, so in about two and a half weeks. There was no Premier Tax counter past security, so my Premier Tax vouchers were dropped in the Premier Tax box next to Customs and I did not receive the Premier Tax VAT Refund credit to my card until September 11, so about 13 weeks.

The amount of my VAT Refunds was about 13.5% of my purchases. My overall savings averaged 30% after taking into consideration the lower costs (and no sales tax), exchange rate, VAT Refund and customs tax. I also used a CapitalOne card with no foreign transaction fees and a 1% cash back reward.

FWIW, I did declare my purchases upon arrival into Atlanta, and they used discretion and didn't charge the full tax amount. However, due in large part to the delay because of process involved with declaring (it was very disorganized), we missed our connection (we had a two and a half hour layover, but our flight out of Amsterdam was also a bit late leaving). Just something to keep in mind.

 

[youngster]

My husband declared the full value of the purse and went through customs. US customs made him take the purse out of the box, but luckily they didn't make him pay any of the tax above the $800. The purse cost about $2,000 USD, but would have been significantly more (roughly 40%) if purchased here.

We are waiting for the VAT refund to be credited to our credit card in the next 3-5 days.

That's great! Congrats on your fab new bag! The last time I went to Europe, I did receive several of my credits within 3 - 5 days. One other took a month and another was about 6 weeks. I thought it was lost but it did eventually show up.

 

[youngster]

I wanted to share my recent experience with the VAT Refund in EU. I made a number of purchases in Paris using my credit card and elected to have the VAT Refunds applied to my card. I had refunds due from Global Blue (LV, Valentino, Tag Heuer, etc.) and Premier Tax (Chanel). I flew out of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on June 1 and had my vouchers validated/stamped at the Customs location beyond the security checkpoint since the line at Customs before security was very long all of my purchased fit in my carry on. Since a Global Blue counter is located right next to Customs, I was able to hand deliver my Global Blue vouchers and the Global Blue VAT Refund was credited to my card on June 25, so in about two and a half weeks. There was no Premier Tax counter past security, so my Premier Tax vouchers were dropped in the Premier Tax box next to Customs and I did not receive the Premier Tax VAT Refund credit to my card until September 11, so about 13 weeks.

The amount of my VAT Refunds was about 13.5% of my purchases. My overall savings averaged 30% after taking into consideration the lower costs (and no sales tax), exchange rate, VAT Refund and customs tax. I also used a CapitalOne card with no foreign transaction fees and a 1% cash back reward.

FWIW, I did declare my purchases upon arrival into Atlanta, and they used discretion and didn't charge the full tax amount. However, due in large part to the delay because of process involved with declaring (it was very disorganized), we missed our connection (we had a two and a half hour layover, but our flight out of Amsterdam was also a bit late leaving). Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks! I'm going soon myself so I'm always interested in others experiences. That is super interesting about Chanel. The last time I went, I received the refunds from those purchases within 3 or so days so it really can vary widely! My LV ones took longer.

Do you know if there is any good shopping in Schiphol Airport? We have a somewhat lengthy connection and so we have some time there. I haven't been able to find out much about what's available in that airport.

 

[FunBagz]

Thanks! I'm going soon myself so I'm always interested in others experiences. That is super interesting about Chanel. The last time I went, I received the refunds from those purchases within 3 or so days so it really can vary widely! My LV ones took longer.

Do you know if there is any good shopping in Schiphol Airport? We have a somewhat lengthy connection and so we have some time there. I haven't been able to find out much about what's available in that airport.

I believe part of the delay in the Premier Tax Refund was due to the fact that my purchases were made in France, but my voucher was dropped in the box in Amsterdam.

Sorry, I cannot report on the shopping at Schiphol Airport since I didn't do any there, nor did I take note since my bags were full, my shopping budget was maxed out and my husband was completely over shopping! LOL I feel like I may have seen Tag Heuer and Rolex. I do know that there is no Chanel at that airport. Enjoy your trip!

 

[youngster]

I believe part of the delay in the Premier Tax Refund was due to the fact that my purchases were made in France, but my voucher was dropped in the box in Amsterdam.

Sorry, I cannot report on the shopping at Schiphol Airport since I didn't do any there, nor did I take note since my bags were full, my shopping budget was maxed out and my husband was completely over shopping! LOL I feel like I may have seen Tag Heuer and Rolex. I do know that there is no Chanel at that airport. Enjoy your trip!

I know what you mean. Been there, done that lol.

 

[Kisa]

Hi girls and guys!

I'm sorry if this has already been covered, but I searched and couldn't find what I was looking for.

I'm thinking of ordering some shoes to ship to my mail box in Buffalo from Sweden. I could tell you how much the landed cost would be in Canada, but have no idea how much it typically costs to import online shopping from Europe to the US. Does anybody have any experience? The carrier will be Fedex so I'm sure I'll be treated to the pleasure of paying some exorbitant fees.

 

[AliGL]

How much VAT refund can I claim in London? Planning to pay a pair of Aquazzura flats!

 

[jennywlove]

Just got back from Paris on 09/15 and the flight attendant said those with US passports no longer need to fill out a customs form! We even asked her twice to make sure and she confirmed that the form was no required for US citizens.

Since I'm not a citizen (my DH is) I still had to fill out the form for myself. Luckily all the purchases were made on my DH's credit card and passport, so I didn't have to anything to declare anyways.

Did anyone else experience this? I'm wondering if this was a recent change or if our flight attendant was confused!

 

[gjab26]

I'm a F/A and only a few U.S. airports have the new Kiosk 's where your don't have to fill out paper customs forms, so your F/A was right!! With the Kiosk's you only insert your passport and answer all the questions on the screen, and a paper receipt comes out and that is what you give to the customs officer. It's so much better and faster.

 

[FunBagz]

Just got back from Paris on 09/15 and the flight attendant said those with US passports no longer need to fill out a customs form! We even asked her twice to make sure and she confirmed that the form was no required for US citizens.

Since I'm not a citizen (my DH is) I still had to fill out the form for myself. Luckily all the purchases were made on my DH's credit card and passport, so I didn't have to anything to declare anyways.

Did anyone else experience this? I'm wondering if this was a recent change or if our flight attendant was confused!

I'm a F/A and only a few U.S. airports have the new Kiosk 's where your don't have to fill out paper customs forms, so your F/A was right!! With the Kiosk's you only insert your passport and answer all the questions on the screen, and a paper receipt comes out and that is what you give to the customs officer. It's so much better and faster.

Agreed...however, at the kiosks you asked about your purchases (and all other pertinent info), just as you were on the old forms, and are still subject to the Custom's Tax.

 

[bakeacookie]

I'm a F/A and only a few U.S. airports have the new Kiosk 's where your don't have to fill out paper customs forms, so your F/A was right!! With the Kiosk's you only insert your passport and answer all the questions on the screen, and a paper receipt comes out and that is what you give to the customs officer. It's so much better and faster.

Does this take place of the form you fill out when returning?
We did both, as we were given both the form on board but had to go to the kiosk.

LAX collected both from us though, so not sure if we still need to do both or just kiosk only.

 

[jennywlove]

I'm a F/A and only a few U.S. airports have the new Kiosk 's where your don't have to fill out paper customs forms, so your F/A was right!! With the Kiosk's you only insert your passport and answer all the questions on the screen, and a paper receipt comes out and that is what you give to the customs officer. It's so much better and faster.

Agreed...however, at the kiosks you asked about your purchases (and all other pertinent info), just as you were on the old forms, and are still subject to the Custom's Tax.

Thank you for the clarification, that makes sense! We completely missed the kiosks though because my husband lined up with me in the visitors line instead of going through the citizens/resident line...oops! [emoji37]

But now we'll know for next time!

 

[ryland345]

Yes, I'd love to know what others have done! I do know for sure that I'm not going to check any of my purchases in my luggage. It's all staying in my possession. I think the only "risk" is that the Budapest customs officials might look at your ticket/itinerary and say that since you are connecting in Germany, you should get the stamp there. I think if you already know what to say to that, that you are checking your purchases in your luggage as soon as you have taken care of the paperwork and received your refund from Global Blue, then they should give you the stamp and let you go on your merry way.

I'm also planning on standing in line at the Global Blue (or equivalent) counter and getting my refund immediately. Last time, all my refunds eventually showed up but it took weeks and weeks for one of them and I was almost sure it was lost. There is pretty much no recourse if it gets lost in the mail.

Hi guys.

I am planning a trip to Munich-Salzburg-Vienna-Budapest. I will be flying out from LAX to Munich and returning from Budapest to LAX (connecting in Munich) Between Munich to Budapest, i will travel via train.

I have been to Vienna and i'm pretty much sure i will be doing some major shopping done there and possibly in Munich as well. Since my last destination is Hungary and it's part of EU, I am guessing i need to get the VAT stamp and send it from Budapest airport? Or do i have to get it done in Munich airport before i catch my connecting flight? I only have an hour in Munich and if that is the case, there is no way i can make it

I usually travel to one country at a time so i don't know what to expect with this scenario. I hope my question makes sense.

TIA!!!

Have you guys gone on your trips? How did it go? I'm having the same issue: buying in Vienna, detax in Budapest, but have an hour layover in Paris. Were you able to do your VAT in Budapest and keep your items as carry on? Also, were all the countries equivalent in VAT return (between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest)? It's hard for me to find prices in forint, so can't compare. TIA!

 

[youngster]

Have you guys gone on your trips? How did it go? I'm having the same issue: buying in Vienna, detax in Budapest, but have an hour layover in Paris. Were you able to do your VAT in Budapest and keep your items as carry on? Also, were all the countries equivalent in VAT return (between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest)? It's hard for me to find prices in forint, so can't compare. TIA!

I haven't gone yet. I think that they are all roughly equivalent in terms of VAT return though. Remember that Global Blue (or the equivalent) will take 1 or 2% in their fee for doing all the processing. After Global Blue's fee, I think I got roughly 11% back from my last trip to France.

 

[bakeacookie]

It's zero on the first $800, 3% on the next $1,000 and I believe 6% on the amount over that for handbags and leather goods.

Since it is just your husband, those are the amounts he should expect. If you travel with him or other family members in future, you can combine your exempt amounts so the exemptions can be double, triple, etc. depending on how many family members you are with. When I went with my husband and Kid2, the first $2,400 was tax free, the next $3,000 would have resulted in a $90 charge, and then it would have been 6% on the amount over $5,400.

To me, these are relatively small amounts and not worth getting caught and penalized and having every item searched and inspected. I've witnessed that happen to others and it looks to be an unpleasant process. I think they also would flag you for future inspections and you might be denied if you ever applied for Global Entry due to customs violations.

Thank you for this explanation!

ETA: If you have to pay, how do you pay it? Could you use a credit card? I don't carry that much USD when I travel, nor do I own checks.