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

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#1,141
I'm visiting Paris soon and trying to figure out what the VAT refund process is like. I came across this blog post about Wevat and am definitely intrigued in principle.
  • Simplified process
  • 13.4% refund (as opposed to the traditional process giving 12%)
  • Refunded in days (as opposed to weeks)
But I have not been able to find any other reviews about this app/service here, on Reddit, or basically anywhere else. There are App Store reviews, but I don't know if I can trust them. Their Twitter/Insta accounts also don't show a lot user engagement.

The blog post has a section that talks about French government support and linked to the official Customs .gov webpage, where supposedly Wevat is listed as VATCAT.

Has anyone used it? Should I stay away if there doesn't seem to be any positive support for it?
 
#1,142
Hey Mi93ni83,

I wrote the article, and I'd be happy to answer any of your questions!

You are correct, there aren't many reviews, - It is a new process that was just introduced to Paris in late 2020. (Previously it was only used in the UK - but then Brexit happened)

I personally have an account, and I've had several readers who have used the new app and had no issues.

As I mentioned before, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Diane
 
#1,143
petiteinparis said:
Hey Mi93ni83,

I wrote the article, and I'd be happy to answer any of your questions!

You are correct, there aren't many reviews, - It is a new process that was just introduced to Paris in late 2020. (Previously it was only used in the UK - but then Brexit happened)

I personally have an account, and I've had several readers who have used the new app and had no issues.

As I mentioned before, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Diane
Click to expand...
I am also going to Paris soon and would love to understand which stores the WeVat process has been used on and reliability of refund turnaround time. I saw on your article that LV / Dior / Chanel do not do this (unfortunately these are the stores I’m likely to purchase from). Do any of the luxury retailers use it? I understand the refund is also better by a marginal amount? Thank you!
 
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#1,144
Hello I’m planning to go to London to buy a bag and then head to Dublin. From Dublin, I’ll head back to the states. When should I do my VAT from my purchase from London? Should I do it at the airport leaving to Dublin or the airport going home? Thank you.
 
#1,146
itspenelopewong said:
Hello I’m planning to go to London to buy a bag and then head to Dublin. From Dublin, I’ll head back to the states. When should I do my VAT from my purchase from London? Should I do it at the airport leaving to Dublin or the airport going home? Thank you.
Click to expand...

If I’m reading the regulations correctly, the U.K. no longer issues VAT refunds for items purchased by foreign travelers, unless the item is shipped directly overseas.
 
#1,148
Global blue watch out. In the past it was also better to get your refund on your CC vs cash as they didn’t take additional commission however this is no longer the case! I received a receipt from global blue last week and was told that I was going to get €550 euros back to my CC and that there would be no fee however they charged an additional fee when putting it on my CC and I was $80 short! For global blue it is better to get the cash. Such a rip off and I’m annoyed by the shady customer service who blatantly lied to me at the counter!
 
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#1,149
Hi ladies, I am currently in Germany. Purchased some items in store, got the receipt and went to the global blue in downtown. Was told I still need to get the custom stamp at the airport (plus show them the items) and drop off the receipt in the kiosk. Is this process correct? I am confused.
 
#1,150
Hello I'm planning to go to Paris to buy several items and then head to the UK before going back to the states. As I understand it, I must declare my items when going back to the US. But what about the leg from Paris to London? Will I have to declare in the UK when entering from Paris (and be potentially charged for duty)? I'll be going on the Eurostar if that makes a difference. Thank you.
 
#1,151
pinklavender said:
Hello I'm planning to go to Paris to buy several items and then head to the UK before going back to the states. As I understand it, I must declare my items when going back to the US. But what about the leg from Paris to London? Will I have to declare in the UK when entering from Paris (and be potentially charged for duty)? I'll be going on the Eurostar if that makes a difference. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Due to brexit, the U.K. is not part of the European Union anymore so you must get your customs stamp In paris before you get to the U.K. You will be able to do this at the Eurostar however I have never done this yet due to brexit only happening recently. I did do it at a train station once when I was coming from France to Switzerland.
Also don’t forget but the U.K. no longer does vat tax refunds and even the airport, everything besides some liquor is the same price as in the city so do all your high end shopping in Paris and take advantage of the strong $ and low € and £!
 
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#1,152
KensingtonUK said:
Due to brexit, the U.K. is not part of the European Union anymore so you must get your customs stamp In paris before you get to the U.K. You will be able to do this at the Eurostar however I have never done this yet due to brexit only happening recently. I did do it at a train station once when I was coming from France to Switzerland.
Also don’t forget but the U.K. no longer does vat tax refunds and even the airport, everything besides some liquor is the same price as in the city so do all your high end shopping in Paris and take advantage of the strong $ and low € and £!
Click to expand...

and no you don’t have to declare anything in the UK. They won’t care or ask.
 
#1,154
Has anyone tried having a SA from Europe ship the bag back to US?

I have a Fendi SA in Paris that says customers do this all the time and still save quite a bit (just pay shipping and customs, but VAT savings is 16% plus the reduced price of the bag in general)
 
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#1,155
Long shot VAT question. Leaving Portugal Monday at 0600, it doesn’t seem likely there will be customs agents to stamp Global blue form. ( yes there is a self serve kiosk for the actual refund from global blue)Has anyone tried to get the customs form stamped the day before departure? Currently I have the option to change my flight and leave Sunday at noon… any thoughts or experiences appreciated.
 
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