Florence airport costumes
 

I have a 6:30 am flight from Florence to Amsterdam this Friday. Since global blue will be closed I would like to get cash here in Siena and then stamp the envelopes at the costumes at Florence airport. Considering that my flight is so early I would like to know where the costumes is and how much of a time it will takes. I will be checking in the purchases items and not using a carry on.
Thank you very much

The customs (called Dogana in Italian) office is in the departure area across from the check in area and before you go through security. It is easy to find. As you enter the building just walk along and look for it on your left.
I would go there before you check in because they may ask to see your purchases.
How long it takes depends on how many other people are there wanting to do the same thing. The actual procedure doesn't take long at all if all your paperwork is in order. It is a small airport and when I did it in March there were only a few other people.

Just be aware that if you get the cash refund in Siena and then for some reason Customs isn't open and you don't get your stamp, then Global Blue will charge your credit card to recover the refund that they gave you.

Raincitygirl is right about customs if they are not open. My problem once was they didn't open until almost time for my flight to be called and suddenly lines were so long, I would have missed my flight if I had waited. It wasn't worth that happening! It was a different, larger airport though, so likely less of a problem for you if they are open.

I take your point on this! So considering the risk of costumes not being open that early in the morning is there a better option? I am not sure if I could use the global blue in Amsterdam as it is the connecting airport.

Thank you very much

Customs, not costumes.

Florence to Amsterdam is a flight within the EU, which counts as domestic. I suppose this is about VAT refund? This must be done when you leave the EU. I don't think you will be able to do this in Florence.

There isn't any better option, you need the official stamp. As I said to you on your other thread you could try it in Amsterdam but the goods will be in your checked luggage for one thing and as was explained to me at the end of March you need to get the stamp at your point of departure from the EU, which is Florence, because it is the place you check your luggage in.

Quokka, yes she must do this in Florence. I just did it on March 28th and I was transiting through Frankfurt on my way home, just as she is transiting through Amsterdam.
I was told that the place where you check in your luggage is considered your point of exit from the EU.

august77, you can read the explanation on the Italian customs website.
agenziadoganemonopoli.govt.it

There is a button to change the language to English on top right of the home page.

Sounds good. Thank you

Just got my cash refund in USD. Keeping my fingers crossed it will work out in the airport!


This is a good reason for me not to shop anymore but to be honest I just saw another cute jacket :-)

I thougt you had bought a suite (costume).

I was just told that the customs is located on the first floor and not on the grind level. Is it easy to find? Thanks much

August, I have told you twice where it is and unless they have moved it since March 28th, that is where it is. It's very easy to find, it is a small airport.
If you are really nervous about it you can Google a map of the airport and it is shown there.

I have been reading top 10 DK eye witness travel for florence and Tuscany. There is a section that states US citizens have a 400dollar worth of goods duty-free. The lady at the tax refund in Siena gave me all the taxes back in USD so I wonder how this rule applies?! Thank you very much

What you got back in Europe has nothing to do with the duty taxes levied by the US govt. you may owe back home when bringing it into the US.

What you got back in Europe are the taxes that they apply to goods, a sales tax, basically. And they refund it to foreigners who buy stuff there under certain conditions. The US levies a tax upon goods when people bring above a certain amount of goods into the US, basically an import duty. The two don't have anything to do with each other. However, since you got a refund on part of the price of something, you can value it on your US customs form as the sales price minus the refund you got, if that's what you want to know.

Good to know. Thank you!

Everything went well! I was at the customs around 5 am and by 5:15 the line had become long! Arriving early and also not having to stay in the economy line to check in helped me with the whole process otherwise the wait time would have been pretty long!

not sure there is an economy line for customs..

Well that is good to hear august! Any trouble with U.S. customs on your return?

How did you enjoy your trip?