US Customs discussion - airports, importing
- Thread starter esyee
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I just came back in to the US through there. I had a LARGE amount to declare, which I did because I was asked (never, ever lie). They sent me to the section where they look at the receipts and do the calculation. There was no one waiting, and only 2 ppl working. It took a good 30 minutes of the guy calculating stuff and running up and down the stairs to double check something. In the end the cashier wasn't there so he took my info and told me I'd get a letter about how much and how to pay. He "guesstimated" my fee would be around $800. 1 week later I got my bill for $225.
DH and I flew back from Paris to the US through Boston and had a little over $7k in USD worth of purchases. We were asked by the agent if we had anything to declare, said yes, and were told to wait to the side before an agent would collect us. There were probably 4 or 5 other people/couples waiting and only 2 agents working who were both being EXTREMELY methodical and thorough…and rather grumpy.
When it was finally our turn, I gave the agent my receipts as well as a list of purchases with all the EUR, VAT, and USD conversation math done to show the totals, by item category. The agent wanted to know where I got these numbers, to see each item matched with each receipt, and asked what things were (uhhh a purse is a purse?) and even got crappy with me when DH went to get the checked luggage…which he was instructed to go get
I stayed as pleasant as I could but this agent definitely did everything by the book and made me feel like a criminal. By my estimated math, I paid every penny the US gov’t was due from me
The whole process took over an hour and I’m glad we had a longer layover. Between this experience and my less than stellar H in-store Paris visits, I’m quite content to keep my spending domestic for a while.
When it was finally our turn, I gave the agent my receipts as well as a list of purchases with all the EUR, VAT, and USD conversation math done to show the totals, by item category. The agent wanted to know where I got these numbers, to see each item matched with each receipt, and asked what things were (uhhh a purse is a purse?) and even got crappy with me when DH went to get the checked luggage…which he was instructed to go get
I stayed as pleasant as I could but this agent definitely did everything by the book and made me feel like a criminal. By my estimated math, I paid every penny the US gov’t was due from me
The whole process took over an hour and I’m glad we had a longer layover. Between this experience and my less than stellar H in-store Paris visits, I’m quite content to keep my spending domestic for a while.
Second question first-if you have GE, there is NO questionnaire. You scan your passport and that's it. As you leave you MUST approach an officer and ask to declare.
Whether or not you feel this is not fair/not the right way/ the system should have been set up differently/ whatever... here we are. The burden of telling the truth is on you.
First question- although you CAN leave the airport without declaring ( assuming you have goods to declare) the assumption is that your purchases ARE tied to you passport ( obviously) and eventually you will receive a bill, complete with penalties.
Your call.
I don’t know this for a fact but I wouldn’t be surprised if items purchased with the intent to request a VAT refund are known to passport control, as you supply your passport info at the store. I bought a Goyard bag when I was in Paris a couple of years ago. When I declared it, the officer never asked for receipts or wanted to see the bag but just looked at his computer. (He also didn’t charge me for the excess over the allowance.)
I have Global Entry which uses facial recognition, so there was no kiosk questionnaire.
It's been mentioned many times in this thread...if you get detaxe/VAT refund at your departing airport in the EU, that info is sent to CBP (not passport control - that's Immigration). Personally I've had several CBP officers tell me this in the past three or so years with specific regard to France. They said that if it is a large amount or gets flagged for another reason, you may be pulled aside OR may receive a "follow up" from CBP later on. Which sounds fun.
DTW is my airpoirt, can you share what the percentage was for gold jewelry/watches?
I'm looking to purchase some VCA pieces in on my trip to France in the fall, do you mind sharing what the VAT refund was for VCA, and the customs fee?
Hi! Hope this is the right place to ask this question. If I buy a pair of sandals or fine jewelry at Hermes while visiting Paris from US and intend to request VAT refund (and declare when returning to US), am I allowed to be wearing them while still in Paris? Or are duty free items need to be brand new in box until I return to the US? I have always assumed the latter but just wanted to ask!
My understanding is that the item cannot be used/worn and must be new.
Yes, this is the rule. Technically: new, unworn, and in original packaging. I have only occasionally had this checked...but it does happen.
The rule is new and unused in its “sealed package.” Of course the days of truly sealed packages is over and I don’t know how you’re expected to keep a birkin in its box. We wore jewelry and then put the items back in their boxes. I do think it probably depends on the country you are flying out of - how hard core they are about how sealed the package is (we did not fly out of France).
The last time I went through vat the agent only needed to stamp and see the items over 2000€. Vat was only available after check in so it was just lucky that we had those items in our carry ons.
The last time I went through vat the agent only needed to stamp and see the items over 2000€. Vat was only available after check in so it was just lucky that we had those items in our carry ons.