There should be a customs person as long as there are flights operating however sometime they aren’t at the desk and there is a phone you have to pick up and call them. If global blue is closed you can just mail it. Also note that I think global blue has changed their policy. It used to be the best way for a refund was a CC and not cash however last Nov they actually took like an additional 30% cut to 40% cut they already took so be aware.
Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...
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I had no problems using Pedro in a closed airport (ticket agents there for the 6am flight but no one else there).
Thanks for the input. The issue is IF the self serve kiosks doesn’t turn green ( ie when I was returning from Paris earlier this summer all my global blue forms turned green EXcEPT receipt for my Birkin. If that happens you have to see a customs agent … but most people think there is some way to find a customs agent regardless of time…never traveled from Portugal and never left on such an early flight from EU before hence the confusion
Thanks for the input. The issue is IF the self serve kiosks doesn’t turn green ( ie when I was returning from Paris earlier this summer all my global blue forms turned green EXcEPT receipt for my Birkin. If that happens you have to see a customs agent … but most people think there is some way to find a customs agent regardless of time…never traveled from Portugal and never left on such an early flight from EU before hence the confusion
sorry for double posting this question on multiple threads but I badly need to get thoughts on this.
Has anyone experienced issues in mailing the tax free forms when you shopped in Europe?
Background: got my forms validated by customs however I mixed up the mailing envelopes —- I used Planet’s envelope to send 3 global Blue forms and 1 Planet form using Global Blue’s envelope.
I‘ve contacted both companies to advise about the situation. I really hope that the two can liaise with each other and help me with this else it’s over $1k worth of refund ‘wasted’ Surely Im not the first one to do this.
Has anyone experienced issues in mailing the tax free forms when you shopped in Europe?
Background: got my forms validated by customs however I mixed up the mailing envelopes —- I used Planet’s envelope to send 3 global Blue forms and 1 Planet form using Global Blue’s envelope.
I‘ve contacted both companies to advise about the situation. I really hope that the two can liaise with each other and help me with this else it’s over $1k worth of refund ‘wasted’ Surely Im not the first one to do this.
I am visiting Paris next month and leaving to London via Eurostar. Has anyone had any experience with the VAT refund procedure at Gare Du Nord station?
Hello! Hoping to get some guidance. Flying from LAX to Italy, with a layover of about 3.5 hrs in CDG. Can I actually do some duty free shopping? or just shopping in general and I have to pay VAT? Thanks in advance!
You can definitely shop on the way back to the US. I have done this traveling Naples - CDG - NY and hitting up Hermes at CDG. Prices at CDG exclude VAT but need to be declared when you return to the US. 3.5 hours is not that much time since you may have to change terminals but should be enough to do some quick shopping. They will ask you for your boarding pass at the store, so I don't think you can get VAT refund until your return trip when you are going back to the US and leaving the EU.
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to shopping at the airport on the way back to the US and have always declared items.
I was just wondering since France and Italy are within the EU, are the flights considered domestic or international? Are there duty free shops at the CDG terminal if I'm flying from France to Italy? If yes, will the shops let you purchase but you have to pay the VAT since you are flying within the EU but not out of the EU?
And if you pay VAT at the airport store, then will they give you the VAT refund form? (to be processed at the airport of your last destination in the EU)
Thank you in advance!
Not sure this is relevant but I was in the Honolulu airport last week and there was a Hermès store with decent stock. But we were only flying domestically and they could not sell to me even though I told them I was fine with paying duty etc.
Hi. I just did this same trip in December. It was super easy. I had shopped at Hermes and Prada and they had given me forms ready to go. After going through security at Gare Du Nord, there are Kiosks that you can electronically input your info. There was a man working the area, and he helped me to verify my goods and I didn't have to do anything else. I was off to London. I received my refund within 2 weeks. It was easy.
IIRC they will only allow you to purchase duty free if your boarding pass shows final destination outside of the EU. They did ask for our passports and boarding passes when we purchased at LV CDG in October.Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to shopping at the airport on the way back to the US and have always declared items.
I was just wondering since France and Italy are within the EU, are the flights considered domestic or international? Are there duty free shops at the CDG terminal if I'm flying from France to Italy? If yes, will the shops let you purchase but you have to pay the VAT since you are flying within the EU but not out of the EU?
And if you pay VAT at the airport store, then will they give you the VAT refund form? (to be processed at the airport of your last destination in the EU)
Thank you in advance!
I will be going to Europe for the first time in June. Will be going to France > Italy > England. I know England does not have the VAT refund. So how will it work if I purchase items in France and Italy and will be flying home back to the US through London? Anyone know the logistics?Thanks!
You file the VAT paperwork once you leave the EU, so if you are flying home to the US from Italy via UK then you have to file the paperwork in Italy as that is the last port. Don't take the paperwork to the UK, you won't be able to process it there. Its been a while since I've done the VAT refund but as far as I can recall you have to take the items (unused) to the airport in your luggage and get it stamped at the Italian airport before flying to London.