US Customs discussion - airports, importing

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

#376
I researched this last year, and I came to conclusion that you have to include VAT even if you get a refund, which is annoying because you're basically being taxed on tax.

But in trying to find a source on the CBP website today, I'm not finding anything definitive.

caymanstreasures said:
I have a question, when flying in from CDG to EWR would I declare the amount I paid minus the VAT refund, or do I declare whatever is listed on the receipt? I want to ensure that I am declaring the proper amount. Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#377
qubed said:
I researched this last year, and I came to conclusion that you have to include VAT even if you get a refund, which is annoying because you're basically being taxed on tax.

But in trying to find a source on the CBP website today, I'm not finding anything definitive.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I guess it is safer/easier to just put the amount on the receipt. That way nothing looks skeptical to the customs officer.
 
#378
qubed said:
I researched this last year, and I came to conclusion that you have to include VAT even if you get a refund, which is annoying because you're basically being taxed on tax.

But in trying to find a source on the CBP website today, I'm not finding anything definitive.
Click to expand...

Just went through this today in Philly. My agent told me that VAT has nothing to do with them and they will always tax on the full amount shown on the receipt . In the past I have gotten away with the net amount, but this guy said no way.

But I did have a good experience in Philly. He asked for the receipts and looked at them in detail . He took the euro amounts and looked up the dollar exchange rate (gone are the days when they forget to convert to dollars :sad:). The good news is he gave me the 3% rate on my total purchases:yahoo:.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voicifiona, USCGirlie, fabuleux and 3 others
#379
sbelle said:
Just went through this today in Philly. My agent told me that VAT has nothing to do with them and they will always tax on the full amount shown on the receipt . In the past I have gotten away with the net amount, but this guy said no way.

But I did have a good experience in Philly. He asked for the receipts and looked at them in detail . He took the euro amounts and looked up the dollar exchange rate (gone are the days when they forget to convert to dollars :sad:). The good news is he gave me the 3% rate on my total purchases:yahoo:.
Click to expand...
That's awesome!! I hope I get as lucky, or even luckier and I get waved through hehe

I was wondering if I put the net amount and they say no if I could just change it, but I worry that would piss them off so I will play it safe and just put the amount on the receipt.
 
#380
caymanstreasures said:
That's awesome!! I hope I get as lucky, or even luckier and I get waved through hehe

I was wondering if I put the net amount and they say no if I could just change it, but I worry that would piss them off so I will play it safe and just put the amount on the receipt.
Click to expand...

Today this agent did not want to see anything that I had written up. He took my receipts and figured out everything directly from the receipts. I have entered the country through 5 different airports and I have found the process slightly different at each airport . And there can be variations within the same airport depending on the agent you get .

Good luck to you !
 
#381
This reminds me of a friend I know who bought a high end luxury car but whined constantly about the cost to maintain it, the higher insurance cost and the fact that she has use high quality gasoline.

If you can purchase high end luxury items then you should accept the fact that you will have to pay the duties and taxes that go along with it.

Customs doesn’t care about the fact you may get a VAT refund which is why they calculate on the gross amount.

Expect to pay the full amount is taxable. Chalk it up as a win any time you pay less than the amount you are supposed to be paying by law.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CMilly and npdquan
#382
Just came back CDG to JFK. They took the receipts but I had done the conversions from Euro to USD on the full amount. They taxed me at 7% for everything even though I had a sweater that should have been 12%. Everyone was very pleasant. Didn't ask to see the items or go through my luggage. I assume it was because I was declaring. Someone on the next aisle had her suitcase open and I assume she hadn't declared but I really don't know.
 
#383
I think it just depends on who you get, I always declare and last time from CDG to JFK he wanted to see all my items, discuss at great length what they were made of, it took him forever to calculate and he had to ask other agents for help several times. Literally the most annoying experience after a long flight and made me think I would never do a huge shopping abroad again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bluesky88333
#384
whispa777 said:
Does anyone have experience with the US Customs at Toronto Pearson? I assume we would be going through US Customs at this airport before continuing to my home town airport (which is small and have no US Customs)
Click to expand...
You do clear US customs in Toronto. I would be honest. They can confiscate your goods and they can deny you entry in the US (at least for non US citizens). If I carry commercial baby food I declare fruits and vegetables crossing into the US because they can be so tough.
 
#385
Mrs.Z said:
I think it just depends on who you get, I always declare and last time from CDG to JFK he wanted to see all my items, discuss at great length what they were made of, it took him forever to calculate and he had to ask other agents for help several times. Literally the most annoying experience after a long flight and made me think I would never do a huge shopping abroad again.
Click to expand...


Agreed. I flew from CDG to JFK in January. It was probably 10:30pm. I declared my purchases, and sat in a side room with folks that were flagged for not declaring their purchases on previous trips or distributors of you name it. I literally just wanted to pay my duty and go home. Anyway, it was an hour wait for my turn. As you said, just didn’t seem worth it. On the bright side, he didn’t charge me a cent.

FWIW, I declared the full amount (included the VAT) and the agent only calculated the duty based on the net total (amount permitted duty free + removed the VAT), and subsequently waived the fee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lejic, Voicifiona and lulilu
#386
hi TPF members,
My SA said she has a kelly epsom sellier coming from Paris in her system and that I will hear from her. This was 6/3/19 and I’m curious how long does it take to arrive US through custom and reaching the store. I followed up at the end of June and nothing yet so I’m trying not to bother her. How long should I wait before reaching out to her again?
 
#389
Vivi599 said:
hi TPF members,
My SA said she has a kelly epsom sellier coming from Paris in her system and that I will hear from her. This was 6/3/19 and I’m curious how long does it take to arrive US through custom and reaching the store. I followed up at the end of June and nothing yet so I’m trying not to bother her. How long should I wait before reaching out to her again?
Click to expand...

You can politely ask her again. It has been two weeks. Hope you get it real soon though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top