VAT/TAX refund

[Liberté]

^
I was just about to post more or less the same thing.. Switzerland has a number of agreements with EU and for a tourist there shouldn't be any more obstacles travelling to switzerland than most countries in the european union. (With the exception of the detax as noted above, allthough I would hardly consider that as such)

 

[purplepancakes]

Hi there, just one question.

I'm from Asia and if I'm flying to Amsterdam/ Milan/ Paris/ Amsterdam back to Asia,
so do I clear all my tax refunds in Amsterdam? (Amsterdam will be my last EU destination) or get it down at the airports in Paris or Milan because I'll be flying domestically within Europe, not taking the train so I'm not sure how does it work.

I won't be buying only from Paris but maybe Milan as well so how do I clear all my tax refund issues? Any suggestions? I'm pretty clueless about the whole vat refund system because it's my first time heading to Paris to get the bags.

Please advice! Thanks!

 

[BirKineSS]

Yay! I got my kelly and dogon. I'm sooo happyyy and yes i did the tax refund in barcelona airport before switzerland.

Purplepancakes, do the tax refund in amsterdam

 

[purplepancakes]

Thanks!

But do I still have to get my vat refund papers chopped at Paris or something first before submitting everything at Amsterdam because I'd be purchasing other brands too.

So let's say if I bought something from Chanel & Balenciaga too, I'd still claim everything from Amsterdam?

 

[bagfreak48]

You claim all the VAT at your last EU stop. Make sure you get all the papers done at the respective stores. Actually Amsterdam is pretty easy as there were no lines at all at the customs desk. Although the custom officer did ask to see my hermes bag. So make sure you bring it along.

When you get that paper chopped by customs, then rush over to the VAT money refund desk which I remember is not so near the custom desk... You can opt for cash/credit back... Bear in mind, the closing times for the customs/vat refund desks. I can't remember when it closes but you check on line when you google the amsterdam airport...

 

[voovoo]

as mention earlier, Switzerland is not part of EU (never was), Shengen is one of many treaties that Switzerland has in association with EU. If Zurich is your last stop in your travel, you must detax from your last EU destination which is Barcelona before you head to Switerland. You won't be able to do detax in Switzerland for purchases that are not bought from Switzerland.

Big headache, my sis will be travelling from Paris to Geneva by road...how can she detaxe in Paris as she will be flying back to Asia from Switzerland...

 

[BirKineSS]

detax at the border between france and swiss i guess....

 

[pyrexia]

Big headache, my sis will be travelling from Paris to Geneva by road...how can she detaxe in Paris as she will be flying back to Asia from Switzerland...

All you need to get your tax refunds is actually a stamp from customs and the officer's signature. I would imagine that every border official would have the authorization to do this.

You can mail the forms back when you're back in your own country, so you don't have to worry if there is no refund desk (airports usually have a Global Refund/Premier Tax Free desk where you can submit your forms and get the refund straight in cash or on a credit card).

 

[cdinh87]

I am considering a multi-country trip in Europe and was wondering when I fly back home to the US do I fill out the VAT form before I fly back to the US or do I fill it out when leaving the country where the goods have been purchased?

Example:
United Kingdom > France > Germany. If the bag is purchased Paris would I fill the VAT form when leaving France or do I fill it out when leaving Germany? Another question is, would the VAT refund % be different in each country or is it all the same?

 

[ouicestmoi]

I am considering a multi-country trip in Europe and was wondering when I fly back home to the US do I fill out the VAT form before I fly back to the US or do I fill it out when leaving the country where the goods have been purchased?

Example:
United Kingdom > France > Germany. If the bag is purchased Paris would I fill the VAT form when leaving France or do I fill it out when leaving Germany? Another question is, would the VAT refund % be different in each country or is it all the same?

The VAT forms are generally filled out by the merchant, and you process the forms at the airport you're flying home from at the end of your trip - in this case Germany.

 

[cdinh87]

The VAT forms are generally filled out by the merchant, and you process the forms at the airport you're flying home from at the end of your trip - in this case Germany.

Thank you for the information!

 

[QuelleFromage]

A more current thread:

Best way to 'detax' after H in Europe

After shopping at H in Paris, I understand the detax forms are filled at the store and I have to get them stamped before departure and mail them back. My last stop in europe is actually Amsterdam. After getting the forms stamped at the airport, should I : a) wait till I get home before...

forum.purseblog.com