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

[youngster]

Ok, that gives me some hope! I was starting to think I was never going to see it.

I think you will eventually get it, just be prepared for it to take weeks and weeks. I just got 4 of 5 refunds that were stamped by customs and turned in directly to Global Blue at the airport (no mailing necessary) more than 5 weeks ago. The 5th refund is still missing but will likely show up soon.

If you used Global Blue, you can track your refunds at their Refund Tracker though it isn't super helpful as it can be glitchy:
https://secure.globalblue.com/secure/traveller-services/refundtracker/

You need the document ID number of course and the country you made the purchase in. I find that my refunds show up in the Refund Tracker generally a week or so before the refunds hit my credit card so, again, not super helpful but it gives me something to do while I wait.

 

[kerrilynn1982]

I think you will eventually get it, just be prepared for it to take weeks and weeks. I just got 4 of 5 refunds that were stamped by customs and turned in directly to Global Blue at the airport (no mailing necessary) more than 5 weeks ago. The 5th refund is still missing but will likely show up soon.

If you used Global Blue, you can track your refunds at their Refund Tracker though it isn't super helpful as it can be glitchy:
https://secure.globalblue.com/secure/traveller-services/refundtracker/

You need the document ID number of course and the country you made the purchase in. I find that my refunds show up in the Refund Tracker generally a week or so before the refunds hit my credit card so, again, not super helpful but it gives me something to do while I wait.

Thanks for the feedback! I actually just got the refund from Global Blue last week! I'm still waiting for the other one though. I feel like it wasn't Global Blue, but another company, but I could be wrong. I just remember the from was different from each store. Hoping I'll see the that refund soon. I think next time I'll just ask for it in cash.

 

[youngster]

Thanks for the feedback! I actually just got the refund from Global Blue last week! I'm still waiting for the other one though. I feel like it wasn't Global Blue, but another company, but I could be wrong. I just remember the from was different from each store. Hoping I'll see the that refund soon. I think next time I'll just ask for it in cash.

Good luck! I hope you get it!
I'm still waiting on the last little one that Global Blue owes me. I'm thinking next time, I might just ask for it in cash/Euros as well.

 

[Martincho1977]

Can anyone help to advise? I have a friend going to London who will assist me in purchasing a few items but I need to find out the final costs first. Anyone? Please......

Depending on how much you spend, different countries will reimburse you part of the VAT when you leave the country. I suggest you look at the rules specific for the U.K. to get an idea on what the reimbursement percent is.

I purchased a Louis Vuitton briefcase in Spain a few years ago. I paid about 20% less for the item outright at the store and then I got a significant VAT refund at the airport before flying back to the U.S. If you do your homework, you can get quite a steep discount compared to prices for the same item here at home.

Keep in mind, though, that if you buy electronics chances are you will be stopped when entering the U.S. and you might have to pay a customs fee. If you buy leather good or other items that could be consider for personal use, such as shoes, etc, you will likely have no issue.

I hope this helps.

 

[imthatdude]

I tried replying to an old thread so I wouldnt have to start one but the site wont allow me because it claims its too old.

So........

I bought a Chanel purse off ebay and the total was $1749 usd and with the exchange it came to close to $2450 which is crazy enough.
I get the package delivered and customs wants to charge me $596.00
Duty was $241.00 and GST was $345 and handling was $10

what a joke, I returned it back, this is ridiculous.
I know I was gonna get hit but I didnt think that much.

Does anybody know what they charge if I sent it to the US because I have an address there.
Would it be worth it even with the exchange?

Please help asap thanks!!

 

[messyrose]

Sorry to hear about your experience. But it's been somewhat informative for me and I can help you and not make the same mistake (sorry but I was about to do the same thing hoping I wouldn't get hit with duty etc) I found this calculator last.

http://m.dutycalculator.com/

I live in Australia. There is a bag I want by ysl which would be $500 cheaper than everywhere else but then I looked at duty using this and it bumps it up to $3k.doh.

 

[messyrose]

As for your question yes getting it sent to the USA would be cheaper. Like a mail forwarding service.

 

[messyrose]

I tried replying to an old thread so I wouldnt have to start one but the site wont allow me because it claims its too old.

So........

I bought a Chanel purse off ebay and the total was $1749 usd and with the exchange it came to close to $2450 which is crazy enough.
I get the package delivered and customs wants to charge me $596.00
Duty was $241.00 and GST was $345 and handling was $10

what a joke, I returned it back, this is ridiculous.
I know I was gonna get hit but I didnt think that much.

Does anybody know what they charge if I sent it to the US because I have an address there.
Would it be worth it even with the exchange?

Please help asap thanks!!

See above!

 

[messyrose]

Well I think it would be...

 

[Aventine]

I tried replying to an old thread so I wouldnt have to start one but the site wont allow me because it claims its too old.

So........

I bought a Chanel purse off ebay and the total was $1749 usd and with the exchange it came to close to $2450 which is crazy enough.
I get the package delivered and customs wants to charge me $596.00
Duty was $241.00 and GST was $345 and handling was $10

what a joke, I returned it back, this is ridiculous.
I know I was gonna get hit but I didnt think that much.

Does anybody know what they charge if I sent it to the US because I have an address there.
Would it be worth it even with the exchange?

Please help asap thanks!!

You'll have to pay state tax and probably say nothing to Canadian customs on the way back but it'll be cheaper.

 

[AECornell]

DH is going to Geneva next week for work and I'm wondering if he's able to buy things and get VAT back or taken off when purchasing. We have US passports (US citizens) but living in the UK. Since the UK is part of the EU but we use different money, how does it all work?

 

[vernis-lover]

DH is going to Geneva next week for work and I'm wondering if he's able to buy things and get VAT back or taken off when purchasing. We have US passports (US citizens) but living in the UK. Since the UK is part of the EU but we use different money, how does it all work?

If he was flying back to the US from Geneva and staying in the US for 12 months then yes, he would be able to claim the VAT refund but not if he's just moving the goods around Europe.

 

[serenityneow]

Hi all,

I'm in the US. I purchased a bag from Italy and paid the duties before it was delivered to me (DHL sent me a text with the invoice, I paid through the DHL website, and kept the record). I need to return the bag, and understand there is a process for getting the duties I paid refunded to me ("drawback", I gather). I welcome any tips on that, as I've never done it before. Are certain carriers better for this etc.? Anything I can do to help when I return the bag?

In addition, though, the store told me that it would deduct "the customs fees for the return" from my refund for the bag. That's not right, is it? Would Italy assess a duty on a bag that came from Italy and is being returned to Italy? It was also made in Italy, if that means anything.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mint81]

I will try to keep this short - I am a UK citizen and purchase 2 items from LV and 2 from Chanel at T5 getting the duty free price as I am going to America. US customs stop me and look at my items and receipts - I confirm that they are for me and they will be going back to the UK with me in 6 days (work trip). They then proceed to give me the follow 'advice':

1) I should buy the items when I go back to the UK not on my way out. I tell them I can't access those shops from arrivals. They then tell me that is because I'm NOT entitled to buy them duty free.....I just say ok as they seem to be on some sort of power trip (but am calling them idiots in my head). Why on earth would I not be allowed to buy these items?
2) He then suggests he could charge me duties even though I'm not a US citizen.....but isn't going to go through the hassle as I could claim it straight back.
3) He then tells me I should declare the goods on my return home as I will need to pay taxes on those items. I just nodded my head but what a moron - why would I need to declare items I purchased in the UK when I'm a UK citizen?!?!?

US customs have no idea what they are talking about!! If they don't know the UK government rules then they should NOT comment!

Has anyone had a similar experience or is it just me that has had the pleasure!

 

[bellapurse]

I had the same experience leaving from the US to outside US. I couldn't buy anything tax free and they refused to sell me anything because I was coming back. The UK shop should have charged taxes. In the airport site says that if you are UK resident they can placed it in a special place or deliver; something in those words. I can't recalled the exact words but for sure wasn't going to be tax free.