Here's a question for the seasoned travel pros amongst us:

We too had some trouble with a VAT refund at CDG. Thing is, we were told the drop off point was in the direction of our departure gate. So, we went through security/boarding pass check only to realize that we missed the VAT area and couldn't go back out of the secured area to submit the form.

I still have the completed form in a stamped envelope. Can I now mail it from the US to the French address on the envelope? Is it even worth it (the refund is for about $40)?

I have one in my purse right now for the same amount. It has to be stamped by the VAT police (not their real title but it should be ;-) or it's worthless.

I think there's a time limit but you might be able to save it for your next trip.

Hi A,

IIRC, you should have the goods for which you are seeking the VAT available for inspection.

However, the most that you will lose is the cost of a stamp if you mail in the form.

it needs to be stampted by a customs agent and if you are home i think you are out of luck...you could have had the usa customs do it and mail it but i think now you are out of luck...no harm in trying to send it...i think i would attach a note to it that explains the situation and i think they might refund to you....worth the price of a stamp..

i did it in nice last week and they never asked to see the merchandise...

You can go ahead and mail it, but it's pretty much a waste of time without the proper stamp.

The same thing happened to me on my first trip back from the UK. The folks at UK said I should stamp it further on, the folks at US said I should have stamped it farther back

We'd never bought enough to get a refund until our last trip to Italy last month. In Rome, you can do all of this after you clear security (in the C concourse at least)...it was very easy to do.