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

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

#991
I can't offer any advice ^^^ but I have taken to taking pictures of the VAT forms in case I need them in a situation such as yours.
I hope this gets straightened out.
 
#992
mmilyy said:
Hi everyone, long time lurker to these forums, first time poster.

I have a question - my MIL went to Italy about a month ago and bought two Prada bags. She had the VAT refund form filled out at the store and at the Rome airport, got it stamped and sealed in an envelope by customs. When she went to get the form processed at the airport VAT office, the office was closed, and there was just a mail slot where everyone dropped off their forms. She said it looked very messy and nobody was working at the office. Today, she found a charge on her credit card labeled "Tax Refund Roma". She is being charged for VAT, not refunded, even though she already paid full price (i.e. including VAT) when she purchased the bags.

Has this happened to anyone? Why is she being charged further for VAT? She called her credit card company and they asked to see backup of the VAT form, but she doesn't have a copy of it since it was sealed and dropped off at the office. It's fine if she doesn't get the refund but we don't understand why she is being charged more. She has shopped in Europe many times before and hasn't ever had a problem with getting her VAT refund.
Click to expand...

This has never happened to me. I know some stores don’t charge you the VAT when they processed the paperwork but you are given a grace period. If the grace period is over then they’ll charge the VAT that was credited. I’m guessing your MIL couldn’t get the paperwork stamp so the VAT was not validated and the grace period is over. If the VAT was not validated then there’s not much you can do. If she got the forms validated try contacting the store. They usually keep copies of the paperwork. Good luck!
 
#993
Hi! I'm considering a purchase on Ebay. I'm in the US and the seller is in the UK. It's a small leather clutch and it will be around $900 plus shipping unless the seller accepts the offer I think I might make. She ships via Royal International Mail. Would I pay import duties? If so, would it be on the whole purchase amount? And what would be the worst case scenario on the percentage? 8%?
 
#994
Freak4Coach said:
Hi! I'm considering a purchase on Ebay. I'm in the US and the seller is in the UK. It's a small leather clutch and it will be around $900 plus shipping unless the seller accepts the offer I think I might make. She ships via Royal International Mail. Would I pay import duties? If so, would it be on the whole purchase amount? And what would be the worst case scenario on the percentage? 8%?
Click to expand...

You would only pay on the amount over $800, so it would be very minimal, if you are charged.
 
#997
For those who have claimed VAT and had a connecting flight home, did you go to the Customs office at the first airport or the connecting airport? I’m flying to Madrid from the U.S. I plan to shop in Madrid, and the flight back to the U.S. connects in Munich for 1 hr. Any experience with this or a similar scenario? And if you’ve flown out of Madrid and gone to customs any personal tips? TIA!
 
#998
tippyknu said:
For those who have claimed VAT and had a connecting flight home, did you go to the Customs office at the first airport or the connecting airport? I’m flying to Madrid from the U.S. I plan to shop in Madrid, and the flight back to the U.S. connects in Munich for 1 hr. Any experience with this or a similar scenario? And if you’ve flown out of Madrid and gone to customs any personal tips? TIA!
Click to expand...

You declare everything in Madrid
 
#999
I just got back from 2 weeks in Europe yesterday. I had a difficult time getting my VAT process done.

I spent a good amount in Paris, from there I took the train to London. I flew from Heathrow to Oslo (non EU country). At Heathrow they wouldn’t stamp my documents since I wasn’t yet leaving Europe. Since I was going to a non EU country they needed to stamp my forms but they insisted I do it in Oslo. At the Oslo airport they couldn’t process my forms because they aren’t an EU country and have nothing to do with their VAT refunds.

Luckily the French consulate here in LA can help provide documents to process my forms for a fee of $31, since I’m due back €350 it’s well worth it.

For the items I purchased in the UK I am out of luck. But luckily those were smaller purchases at LV so I mont losing out on much.


If you purchase in France and are unable to do the VAT in the airport any embassy or consulate can help you in the states.
 
  • Like
Reactions: USCGirlie, diamondsfrost, mzbaglady1 and 1 other person
#1,000
Greetings!!
i am travelling to Spain in Sept. I want to buy a designer bag to save some money. My flight back to USA is from Barcelona with connection at Madrid. The layover is 1 hour 55 mins. Where do I process my claims? I am hoping it will be Barcelona since I can go to the airport early and get that taken care of. If not, i am very nervous with the time i have in Madrid will I able to process it? I thank you for all your time in advance.
 
#1,001
Nori said:
Greetings!!
i am travelling to Spain in Sept. I want to buy a designer bag to save some money. My flight back to USA is from Barcelona with connection at Madrid. The layover is 1 hour 55 mins. Where do I process my claims? I am hoping it will be Barcelona since I can go to the airport early and get that taken care of. If not, i am very nervous with the time i have in Madrid will I able to process it? I thank you for all your time in advance.
Click to expand...

Try Barcelona first. I scanned a Barcelona receipt on their automated machine, received a green check mark, took a photo of my customs forms, and then mailed it in the appropriate mail boxes. I never had to see an agent and none of my forms came up red. I flew out from CDG the next day.

If the machine gives you red, maybe discuss it with the customs agent in Barcelona?
 
#1,002
ihalhaiha said:
Try Barcelona first. I scanned a Barcelona receipt on their automated machine, received a green check mark, took a photo of my customs forms, and then mailed it in the appropriate mail boxes. I never had to see an agent and none of my forms came up red. I flew out from CDG the next day.

If the machine gives you red, maybe discuss it with the customs agent in Barcelona?
Click to expand...

Thank you, ihalhaiha! I will do that and I hope it works for me, too :)
 
#1,004
mercx5 said:
Thanks, I searched the net on VAT info already but am unsure what the % refund is specifically for LV purchases in London.

How about Paris % VAT refunds? My friend advised that he might also be going to Paris. Yippee!! Paris is the cheapest worldwide....let's see what to buy...........
Click to expand...
Can you tell me which about the new zealand website which have the cheap products
 
  • Like
Reactions: jessicaj15
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top