T
the_black_tie_diyer
I'm sorry, totally unpredictable at the moment.
UK will hold a general election on December 12th. After that we might know - at least a little - more.
Kind regards,
Oliver
Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...
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I'm sorry, totally unpredictable at the moment.
UK will hold a general election on December 12th. After that we might know - at least a little - more.
Kind regards,
Oliver
Urgent Help,
I lost all my credit and debit cards while traveling in Europe. I tried to contact credit company to get the credit number to get VAT refund. Just in case, if i can get my credit card numbers before I leave Europe. is that possible to get custom stamps and mail in back in US.
or i have a family member, who will travel in Europe after a week. Can i ask them to drop it off in one of Europe airport?
I lost all my credit and debit cards while traveling in Europe. I tried to contact credit company to get the credit number to get VAT refund. Just in case, if i can get my credit card numbers before I leave Europe. is that possible to get custom stamps and mail in back in US.
or i have a family member, who will travel in Europe after a week. Can i ask them to drop it off in one of Europe airport?
T
the_black_tie_diyer
Hi!
I have a hard time understanding what information you are looking for currently, sorry.
If you already made purchases and have the forms ready, you can (with Global Blue at least) proceed and have the refund issued to a credit card of you choice. (3rd-party: Husband, Spouse, Friend ...) (The only country this is not possible in is: Singapore.)
If you're traveling alone: Can you call a friend/family member to get their CC#? You could put that on the form, as you don't need to be the cardholder.
I'd still suggest you call Global Blue, or whichever service you decided to use, and ask them for help with this specific problem.
Hope this helps, and I'm sorry you lost your cards - it's a ****ty situation for sure. Best of luck and all the best for you!
Kind regards,
Oliver
I have a hard time understanding what information you are looking for currently, sorry.
If you already made purchases and have the forms ready, you can (with Global Blue at least) proceed and have the refund issued to a credit card of you choice. (3rd-party: Husband, Spouse, Friend ...) (The only country this is not possible in is: Singapore.)
If you're traveling alone: Can you call a friend/family member to get their CC#? You could put that on the form, as you don't need to be the cardholder.
I'd still suggest you call Global Blue, or whichever service you decided to use, and ask them for help with this specific problem.
Hope this helps, and I'm sorry you lost your cards - it's a ****ty situation for sure. Best of luck and all the best for you!
Kind regards,
Oliver
so, i can use my family member credit for VAT refund???
I thought it need to be matching with receipt
i wanted to call my credit card company to provide 16 numbers. but with 1800 numbers, i would have to pay for every minutes
quick question,
i got all my tax return forms are stamped l, but i didn't have time to drop off at airport mailboxes or tax return office.
Can i still mail it when I am back to US?
or should I ask my European family mail it for me???
i got all my tax return forms are stamped l, but i didn't have time to drop off at airport mailboxes or tax return office.
Can i still mail it when I am back to US?
or should I ask my European family mail it for me???
Was this global blue in France? I know that even though they give you an envelope to mail the form if its stamped in that machine its done electronically and no need to mail. I don't even think there are mail boxes near the detaxe area anymore.
Again if its global blue you can follow your refunds online and know that they have your necessary forms, stamps etc.
no, it was in Amsterdam.... we were late for the flight due to some luggage problems. we got the custom stamped on our receipts but we did not have time to drop off in mail box or stop buy office to get cash. IT ALSO our last destination on EU
I only have done détaxe in France, Italy or Spain so I’m sorry I do not know if it works the same way in Amsterdam. Is there a phone number on the forms you could call or a website you can check?
I have traveled many times to Europe and purchased many LV/Chanel/Hermès/high end items. Here is a little bit on my personal experiences on declaring when coming back to the US
1. I have encountered declaring the items I purchased and still having CBP searching my luggage. For other designer items, they asked if I had proof that it was purchased prior to my trip. I now always travel with a copy of the receipt or a date stamped picture. I have been told that the burden of proof is on me and without proof they could levy a duty.
2. I have received mixed answers on calculating the amount to declare. Some officers have told me its the price paid and some said paid minus VAT. I have not received a clear answer on this.
3. Percentage charged is based on the harmonized tariff schedule. I have noticed on handbags (whether leather or not, I have brought back exotics) they want to charge me based on leather regardless of what I tell them.
4. If you shop, declare. The penalty is too high if you get caught and didn’t declare. If you have Global entry it will be revoked.
5. Some officers are nice and others are rude. They want to make you feel a certain way for purchasing designer items and some have bullied me when I try to ask questions l. Threatening to seize my items. The best advice I can give from my experiences is be organized if your going to shop and be knowledgeable of the rules and rates.
Despite my experiences, every time is a different situation. Has anyone ever used a customs broker or service to price and declare items ahead of their arrival? It is still a significant savings in Europe but sometimes the hassle and harassment is too much even for the savings.
1. I have encountered declaring the items I purchased and still having CBP searching my luggage. For other designer items, they asked if I had proof that it was purchased prior to my trip. I now always travel with a copy of the receipt or a date stamped picture. I have been told that the burden of proof is on me and without proof they could levy a duty.
2. I have received mixed answers on calculating the amount to declare. Some officers have told me its the price paid and some said paid minus VAT. I have not received a clear answer on this.
3. Percentage charged is based on the harmonized tariff schedule. I have noticed on handbags (whether leather or not, I have brought back exotics) they want to charge me based on leather regardless of what I tell them.
4. If you shop, declare. The penalty is too high if you get caught and didn’t declare. If you have Global entry it will be revoked.
5. Some officers are nice and others are rude. They want to make you feel a certain way for purchasing designer items and some have bullied me when I try to ask questions l. Threatening to seize my items. The best advice I can give from my experiences is be organized if your going to shop and be knowledgeable of the rules and rates.
Despite my experiences, every time is a different situation. Has anyone ever used a customs broker or service to price and declare items ahead of their arrival? It is still a significant savings in Europe but sometimes the hassle and harassment is too much even for the savings.
Wow, that is intense. Ever since getting Global Entry I’ve not been searched even once. I declare items based on estimated cost (less VAT, since you are not paying for it whether duty free or refund) in my home currency. And you don’t even have to itemize the customs form at the Global Entry kiosk, so it’s not like it has to be exact or anyone is even looking to scrutinize it. I always declare everything too, and am not sneaky at all other than putting my items in a travel bag rather than showing up with a bunch of Chanel packaging out in the open. I keep waiting to be searched but it doesn’t happen. This is just my experience at one airport, I’ve never landed somewhere else domestically from Europe or elsewhere, Global Entry = no one cares to search you ever.
I have global entry, declared and they searched me and charged me tariffs. This was the Detroit airport. LAX was a breeze, But a friend landed in LAX with global entry and they charged her lots of tariffs. Very random.
Ah, that explains it. I only fly ever land at LAX, super easy and no searching! Sorry that Detroit is such a pain in the butt. On the bright side, the worst that can happen is paying, what, a 9% tariff? That reduces the VAT savings to about 3% back, which is still better than buying in the US with sales tax on top of the purchase price. US cost even before sales tax can be higher, especially where the fx rate is now, and it is even more expensive to buy here depending on state sales tax.