Keep Receipts
 

Can someone explain to a first time european traveler, why you must keep your receipts. Is it just for the check at customs or are there other reasons. Do I have to keep ALL my receipts? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Nancy, <BR>You should keep any receipts for purchases where you may want to claim a refund of VAT (Value Added Tax). You'll probably have to show them, as well as the merchandise when you turn in your paperwork. You definitely should keep any receipts for purchases made by credit card. Some European currencies, Italian lire for example, can be confusing due to the number of 000,000s you encounter. It's possible, though unlikely, that an unscrupulous vendor might add a 0 to a 70,000 purchase and you end up being billed for 700,000. With your copy of the receipt you have recourse to the credit card company. I would keep all credit card receipts until they appear on credit card statements and been verified.(Recognize that a number of months and statements may pass by before charges hit the statement.)

Nancy, <BR>You should keep any receipts for purchases where you may want to claim a refund of VAT (Value Added Tax). You'll probably have to show them, as well as the merchandise when you turn in your paperwork. You definitely should keep any receipts for purchases made by credit card. Some European currencies, Italian lire for example, can be confusing due to the number of 000,000s you encounter. It's possible, though unlikely, that an unscrupulous vendor might add a 0 to a 70,000 purchase and you end up being billed for 700,000. With your copy of the receipt you have recourse to the credit card company. I would keep all credit card receipts until they appear on credit card statements and been verified.(Recognize that a number of months and statements may pass by before charges hit the statement.)

Nancy, you don't have to keep your receipts, but it is a good idea. I do it out of habit and I like to look at them when I am return home just for my own personal records. It is good as Wes pointed out to verify your cc charges and you would also need them for a VAT return. <BR> <BR>The only other reason I can think of is for customs when you return in case you have to prove what you paid for some purchased items you claimed on the custom's declaration form.

I strongly urge you to particularly keep receipts of any bookings made from home. A hotel in Capri that I had paid for months in advance demanded payment on my checking out. It really paid for me to have kept their confirmation that they received my international draft, otherwise I might have had to pay twice!

Last April, I happened to "hit" an incredible sale in designer suits in the town of Bourges, France. I bought four; the total was less than $400.00 (ladies, I am sure you understand why I couldn't walk away...). On my return trip, U.S. Customs checked my suitcase, and a (lady) official asked to see the receipts for the suits, as I (naturally!) did not listed them as been more than $400.00. I understood right then and there the importance of KEEPING THE RECEIPTS HANDY!!!

Of course we keep our receipts, but it's a nuisance looking through them when the credit card statements come. So I carry a little notebook and list the charges on each card. When the credit card statements come, it's so easy to compare them to my notebook and there's no need to pull out the receipts. It also ensures that we don't pay the same charge twice.

On a consolidator's ticket/frequent flier free ticket/french railpass/ benelux rail pass/channel ferry trip several years ago, I was questioned by El Al security quite extensively (I was picking up a london&gt;nyc flight that had originated in tel aviv). If I hadn't kept every receipt for hotels, meals, transportation, museum entrances,etc. I think I would have had a lot of 'splainin' to do. Consequently, I keep everything until I clear U.S. Immigration...just in case someone thinks my itinerary is a little too weird....