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

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#946
Hi

I need some advice. I will be travelling to the UK, France & Italy in May with my cousin and plan to make a few purchases. Since I live in Australia, I plan to claim the VAT back.

My question is what are peoples experience when claiming the VAT back and how did you go about it. My cousin went a few years ago, she lodged her receipts in the drop box as the queue to claim was way too long and sometime later the money was deposited back onto her card. But I was speaking to my Chanel SA this morning and she went last year and she advised me when I make the purchase to say I want my refund back in cash. She advised this as she made purchases worth a substantial amount of money and never received the VAT back on her card.

Any advise would greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
#948
Hi

I need some advice. I will be travelling to the UK, France & Italy in May with my cousin and plan to make a few purchases. Since I live in Australia, I plan to claim the VAT back.

My question is what are peoples experience when claiming the VAT back and how did you go about it. My cousin went a few years ago, she lodged her receipts in the drop box as the queue to claim was way too long and sometime later the money was deposited back onto her card. But I was speaking to my Chanel SA this morning and she went last year and she advised me when I make the purchase to say I want my refund back in cash. She advised this as she made purchases worth a substantial amount of money and never received the VAT back on her card.

Any advise would greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
#949
I have questions.... I will not be in Germany until this Saturday, but i want to ask my cousin get a bag from a store( I can ask the store print out the tax return form for tourist, no passport require)
my question is when I submit the tax return form.does my item qualify for rebate? Do they check the exactly day I enter to Germany on the item I purchased?
 
#950
The VAT has me completely confused. BF and I are planning a trip to visit his cousin in Brussels with stops in Paris and London. If I fly into Paris, purchase a bag, and then a week later leave for the States via Brussels, at what point do I submit the VAT forms?
 
#952
Despite reading numerous blogs and articles, I can’t seem to find an answer so I’m hoping someone can help me out.
I’m currently in Paris, and looking to purchase a bag. It looks like Le Bon Marche has an on-site refund point of 10.8%. If I take advantage of the immediate refund, do I still need to get papers stamped at CDG on my way home? I would love to avoid the crazy long VAT refund lines, so if this is one way of doing that, great. Additionally, does any know the exact import percentage fee (duty fee? have no idea what it’s called!) charged by the US?
Thank you so much!
 
#953
Hi everyone! I’ll be going to France soon and was wondering about the VAT refund. If I make a purchase with half credit card and cash, how does the refund work? Because I know CC refunds are higher than cash...thank you!
 
#956
I believe if you're doing the immediate VAT refund, then you don't need to go to the VAT refund at the airport.

US Customs allows you to bring back $800 (or $1600 if traveling with your spouse). They will tax you a fixed 3% for the first $1k over that limit. Anything over that, they will tax you about 4-6% for a leather handbag (this percentage varies depending on the item and it's up the US Customs officer to determine the percentage).
 
  • Like
Reactions: nycgirl79
#957
cmd28 said:
I believe if you're doing the immediate VAT refund, then you don't need to go to the VAT refund at the airport.

US Customs allows you to bring back $800 (or $1600 if traveling with your spouse). They will tax you a fixed 3% for the first $1k over that limit. Anything over that, they will tax you about 4-6% for a leather handbag (this percentage varies depending on the item and it's up the US Customs officer to determine the percentage).
Click to expand...


Thank you so much, cmd28!
 
#958
nycgirl79 said:
Despite reading numerous blogs and articles, I can’t seem to find an answer so I’m hoping someone can help me out.
I’m currently in Paris, and looking to purchase a bag. It looks like Le Bon Marche has an on-site refund point of 10.8%. If I take advantage of the immediate refund, do I still need to get papers stamped at CDG on my way home? I would love to avoid the crazy long VAT refund lines, so if this is one way of doing that, great. Additionally, does any know the exact import percentage fee (duty fee? have no idea what it’s called!) charged by the US?
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Yes you still need to scan the VAT refund form using the Pablo kiosk as the airport or Bon Marche will claw back the detaxe amount using your cc after 3 months, they need to see electronic proof that your item left the country. Btw it’s mostly automated nowadays at CDG airport for refund, only occasionally that you will have to appear before customs officials, depending on the time of day, lines shouldn’t be a problem anymore, they move much faster, it’s like scanning for a price at the supermarket. Bon Marche is v good about explaining how the process works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nycgirl79
#959
pandalover1119 said:
Hi everyone! I’ll be going to France soon and was wondering about the VAT refund. If I make a purchase with half credit card and cash, how does the refund work? Because I know CC refunds are higher than cash...thank you!
Click to expand...

I think you’ve confused the payment process with the VAT refund process.

How you pay doesn’t affect your VAT refund process or the amount received back. ie. no matter how you make the purchase (all cash, all CC or half cash/half CC), the VAT refund process is the same.

When you pay, some retailers will ask how you want your the VAT refund. (Others leave it blank on the VAT form and you fill it in yourself). You can choose to get it back via credit card or cash.

If you elect to receive the refund in cash, you get less back but personally I find it safer and less troublesome as it’s done right at the airport on departure and you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pandalover1119
#960
jmc3007 said:
Yes you still need to scan the VAT refund form using the Pablo kiosk as the airport or Bon Marche will claw back the detaxe amount using your cc after 3 months, they need to see electronic proof that your item left the country. Btw it’s mostly automated nowadays at CDG airport for refund, only occasionally that you will have to appear before customs officials, depending on the time of day, lines shouldn’t be a problem anymore, they move much faster, it’s like scanning for a price at the supermarket. Bon Marche is v good about explaining how the process works.
Click to expand...

Thank you!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top