I've tried searching and haven't found an answer to my situation regarding a VAT refund for Italian purchases. We will travel from Italy to Switzerland by train and fly to the US from there. Our last city in Italy is Venice. Is there a way to apply for the VAT refund while in Venice, or am I just out of luck? Thanks.

Custom is not only at the airport. You could do it with the custom officers on the train. They will come around when the train is nearing the boarder. If they don't, then ask the conductor where to find one of them. They should be somewhere on the train though I heard some say they coudn't find any. They were out of luck.

Hi Rookie,<BR><BR> You must have purchased about 160E worth of stuff in one shop to get a Vat refund on that purchase.<BR><BR> If you can't find a customs agent on the train, you are out of luck.<BR><BR> Even if you do find a customs agent, there is a good chance you won't get the refund.<BR><BR> Try http://www.italianconsulate.org.hk/doingbusiness.htm<BR> for the official statement.

Thanks, Hike.<BR>At least now I know to ask. I should also mention that part of my searching included the Global Refund web site, but their Italy page doesn't seem to be functioning. I did send them an email asking where their office is in Venice.<BR><BR>Ira - I'll check the Italian Consulate site next and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks.

Hi Rookie, <BR><BR>On the Global Refund site, Italy page, I have found the following statement:<BR><BR>&quot;Before claiming your Refund, simply get the Customs stamp on your Tax-free document when leaving the European Union. You will receive locally all the information you need.�@�`fter this, you will find our Refund Offices in the major airports and harbours as well as at the border crossings to Switzerland, Slovenia and Croatia. Just click on the one that's most convenient for you, and we'll show you where it is located.&quot; <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

I've seen a couple of comments about not getting your refund, and wanted to offer our experience. We go to Europe a couple of times a year, and always apply for (and have received) our VAT refunds, which at over 15% can be a significant amount of money.<BR><BR>Tip one: Don't be an absolute moron like me and carry your passport with you just for the purpose of filling out VAT refund forms - a photocopy will do just fine, and you won't end up like me spending a half day at the embassies getting a new passport if your bag is stolen! (Not that anyone but me would be silly enough to do that, but . . . )<BR><BR>Tip 2: If it's convenient for you, make your purchases with your credit card. This way, the VAT is refunded directly to your card. Credit card purchases (keep your receipts in your carry-on!) may also help you with lost-luggage replacement $$.<BR><BR>Tip 3: Keep all of your VAT-eligible purchases easily accessible in your luggage, as customs does have the right to check to make sure you have the items. <BR><BR>(Side story: We bought a ring in London, which I was wearing, but since I lost my passport, I had to go to the U.S. and Chinese embassies to get a replacement passport and visa. I was at risk of missing our flight, so my husband decided to go on without me. He had our VAT receipts, and they wouldn't let him through without showing them the ring since it was a relatively large sum of money. Fortunately - for many reasons! - I made it literally as the plane was boarding. The customs officials laughed when they saw me running over, waving my hand with the ring - they said: &quot;Yeah, we were pretty sure you were telling the truth since if not, it was a pretty complicated and unbelievable lie!&quot<BR><BR>As I said, we've done this a couple of times a year for the past couple of years and have never NOT received our refund.<BR><BR>Most stores will have a sign or brochure that will tell you where you can apply for your refund. In London, for example, I think there is a place downtown where you can do it in addition to airports, etc.<BR><BR>Best of luck!

Hello again, Hike<BR>Re the Global Refund Italy page - &quot;Just click on the one that's most convenient for you, and we'll show you where it is located.&quot; - nothing happens when I click on any of the the locations on the map. Maybe its just my browser, I'll keep trying a few more times.<BR><BR>Andrea expat - Thanks for the great advise.

Hi Rookie,<BR><BR>&quot;Just click on the one that's most convenient for you, and we'll show you where it is located.&quot; <BR><BR>Touch the blue point on Venice with your cursor (actually you don't have to click) then under the map appears &quot;Venice-Tessera Airport, Duty free shop 1 (name), 2 (name)&quot; You did not get thiswhen you tried? But that's all and it does not give any name . So as far as this site tells, there is no refund office on Venice island proper, unfortunately for you.<BR><BR>p.s.It seems Marco Polo Airport is some times called Marco Polo Tessera. Hope I'm not wrong.<BR><BR>Good luck with arranging golf on Lido and enjoy your trip.<BR>

But that's all and it does not give any name.<BR><BR>I meant any &quot;other&quot; name.

Hi andrea<BR><BR> Although I have usually gotten my VAT back, I am still waiting for $185 from the UK and $150 from France.<BR><BR> It's been 3 years now.

Hello again, Hike<BR>And thanks for relating what you were able to find. Nothing shows on the screen but the little hand icon - must be something with Netscape.<BR><BR>Ira - Ouch!<BR>Makes me think I'm better off just eating &amp; drinking my way through Italy.<BR>