VAT refund Q--new carryon bag ??

Old Dec 21st, 2014, 07:16 AM
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VAT refund Q--new carryon bag ??

We bought 2 new carry on bags today. We would like to get a VAT refund. But not sure how to go about it. I know that we cannot use them ,that they must be new. So we will not pack anything in them and just carry them empty to CDG. Have the forms from the store and the receipt.

We are flying from CDG back to US via CPH. We are flying AF first, then SAS. 2 separate tickets. I am sure we will only be able to check our regular bags to CPH; claim them and then recheck them. So, we will leave security and then have to go through again, right?

Ok, that's not the main concern. Where to we file the VAT refund? I have read that IF you are leaving EU from France and flying to US, you can use kiosk. (Is there a cost to use them?) I then read if you are going on to another EU country, you have to mail form from US to store to get refund and hope that they send it.

I am really confused. The last time I tried to do VAT refund (2011) at CDG, the lines were so long, I gave up.

Can anyone explain to me where I file for the refund and will the fact that it's empty luggage cause issue? Be gentle, I am not usually this clueless.
Thanks~~
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 07:44 AM
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DebitNM, I am pretty sure you would be okay to pack those new carry-ons and use them. They really just want to know that you are taking the new items with you out of the EU. Most of the time they don't ask to see what you have bought, they just ask if you have it with you. Every airport seems to do it a bit differently.

You need to do the VAT at the last point of exit from the EU which will be Copenhagen and you need a stamp from Customs before you take the paperwork to the refund desk. In CPH there are apparently two companies for this: Global Blue and Tax Free Worldwide. I have used Global Blue quite a few times with no problems, you have the choice to get cash back or have it credited to your credit card. In October in Rome airport I got euro (for my next trip), but usually I get it credited back to my card which takes a few weeks. And yes, they do take a small admin fee off the top.

The Customs office in CPH is in Terminal 3 with the 2 refund places nearby.

You can check this site for more info: www.cph.dk/en

Don't worry and you are not clueless, it's a bit daunting until you have done it successfully a few times. Good luck!
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 07:54 AM
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http://www.ambafrance-au.org/VAT-value-added-tax-refund

http://www.consulfrance-boston.org/spip.php?article3055

The last time I bothered with this was decades ago on the purchase of a Rolex watch. Frankly DebitNM, the hassle otherwise has never seemed worthwhile to me. But perhaps with this new method introduced this year it will be easier.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 08:01 AM
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Ah, just re-read your route and raincity's comment. So already there is a complication since you will need to do this in CPH instead of CDG.

I look at the picture here and read the process and say, 'forget it'. It does seem to give a clear description of what you must do.
http://www.travelsignposts.com/Nethe...nd-at-schiphol
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 08:54 AM
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>> I know that we cannot use them ,that they must be new.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 09:09 AM
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Should be about 40€, so if we can easily, we will. Otherwise, not worth the hassle and I do see that it has to be done in CPH. We have about 3 hours there, so it will depend on how crazy it is there. And we will opt for refund via credit card, otherwise we'd likely get DKK, not euros, if we did cash, since I am not sure how they have €s to give us.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 09:13 AM
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'Unused' applies if you choose to make your claim through a consulate after your return home.

For example this the case for Australia:

"Regularization of VAT refunds
In exceptional circumstances and when duly justified, upon return to Australia, forms that were not stamped on departure from the European Union, may be presented to French Consular Authorities for consideration.
The Consulate-General of France in Sydney is authorized to certify that goods, bought in France under the tax refund scheme, have been imported into Australia.
However, certification can only be done on condition that the actual goods are presented to a French Consular Official :
- unused
- in their original packaging
- with the price tag still attached.

Prior to presenting the goods, a written request has to be sent to the Consulate-General of France in Sydney stating the reasons that prevented the traveller from completing Customs’ formalities for export, and, include the copy of the following documents:
- passport
- boarding pass
- receipt of purchase(s)
- VAT refund form."

Even more hassle of course to get the refund. It really does depend on just how much effort/time/hassle you are prepared to deal with vs. the amount of the refund. Personally, my time is worth more unless the refund is really signifigant.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 09:39 AM
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I see it differently from Sojourntraveller. If I am at the airport and have to stand in line for 20 min or so for 80-100 Euros, I think that's a good deal. I might otherwise be sitting at a gate so why not?

I do it almost every trip and only once did I find the lines a hassle. I always have the items with me but, very often, they are handbags which I am using because I did not have space to pack them. I've never had an issue with this. I travel to Europe twice a year and usually stay 3 weeks.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 01:36 PM
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I was under the impression that items presented for VAT refund had to be new, but apparently I was wrong. Here is an EU document with a FAQ about VAT refunds.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs...d_index_en.htm

It says nothing about articles having to be new when you leave the EU. They have to be taken away from Europe within three months of their purchase date. And you have to be able to produce them when you present the documents to claim the refund. This means that either they have to be in your carryon bags or else you have to get the refund before you check your bags.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 02:55 AM
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"And you have to be able to produce them when you present the documents to claim the refund. This means that either they have to be in your carryon bags or else you have to get the refund before you check your bags."

Mostly true, but I got the refund on some Mephisto shoes that I had mistakenly packed. The nice young man at CDG customs didn't even roll his eyes as he stamped my papers.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 03:32 AM
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With regard to checking your bags through ask at the bagage drop. Often it is possible to check through even on two separate tickets, since airports prefer it. Less chance of the bags being tampered with mid journey.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 07:23 AM
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>>And we will opt for refund via credit card, otherwise we'd likely get DKK, not euros, >"And you have to be able to produce them when you present the documents to claim the refund. > If I am at the airport and have to stand in line for 20 min or so for 80-100 Euros, I think that's a good deal.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 07:33 AM
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Well I am putting my hand up, I have received the credit card refund every time I've done it that way.

I agree with you though that I have never had to show my items when presenting the documents.

And I also think it's a good deal to stand in line to get money back. The lines vary, the VAT refund at Heathrow I have found to be really quick and easy, other places not so much.

The line at Fiumicino when we left in October was very long and they were looking at people's items, some people had bought so much stuff they were with the officer for 15 or 20 minutes.
When I got my turn she was surprised at how little I had bought and didn't ask to look at it.

Also DebitNM, you may be offered euro in cash instead of DKK, in Rome I was offered U.S. dollars or euro.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 07:45 AM
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I'd take either $ or €. Well, I am flying out tomorrow. Will report back on all aspects. Wish me luck!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 08:16 AM
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To each his own folks. As I said, it all depends on what you consider worth the hassle. For 40E I wouldn't line up. For 100E (Judy) ummm, maybe but I doubt it unless I had a lot of time to kill in the airport. For 500E, yes that would be worth my time.

I'd rather negotiate a 20% discount when buying the item to begin with. That's much more fun than standing in line and filling in forms etc. But then I never understand people who buy duty free booze and carry it home just to save a few dollars either.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 10:35 AM
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rain: >>Well I am putting my hand up, I have received the credit card refund every time I've done it that way. >That's much more fun than standing in line and filling in forms etc.>But then I never understand people who buy duty free booze and carry it home just to save a few dollars either.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 12:03 PM
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I've never had to stand in any sort of queue (or no more than maybe occasionally one person) . . . well once at LHR behind three sisters from China who had about 50 items/receipts and were required to present every single item.

The Customs officer buzzed and another agent came out and stamped my forms and I was on my way in a couple of minutes.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 02:54 PM
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Amazing what some people will do for a few euros. What's that saying about 'if you have to ask the price'. Much the same here I'd say. 'If you have to get the refund.'
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Old Dec 22nd, 2014, 03:08 PM
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Rest easy sj (I know you have this extreme interest in what folks do and how they choose to live their lives) . . . I never do it for a 'few' €/£

But most of the time I have the merchant ship major purchases - the VAT is taken off the top and I don't have to deal w/ any of the paperwork.
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Old Dec 23rd, 2014, 12:10 AM
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DONE!!

We retrieved our checked bags here at CPH. Went to Customs office and ground level. They stamped receipt, I took pictures of the form and mailed it. I had to write name, address and CC# on the receipt but it took only about 3 minutes. No line at all.

Now we'll see if if we get anything back.
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