Uhm, I am sorry for sounding silly....but what is Detax? I will be traveling to Paris and would like to buy a few items...namely souvenirs.....what is detax and how do I get through it?

I haven't a clue! I saw that and thought it referenced "detox" at first. I know I've occassionally had one more glass of wine than I should have on those long flights to Europe from the west coast of the US, but I never figured I'd have to pass a sobriety test at CDG or to avoid thrown into "the tank."

Don't you suppose the poster was referring to trying to get VAT tax back? That is, that it's an optional thing where you can (but don't have to) file a claim for a refund of the VAT tax you paid for items you bought.

VAT refund. You don't have to get through it at all unless you have reason to apply for a sales tax refund. It doesn't apply to hotels or restaurants, only to goods purchased. And it only applies if you spend $185 (or is it euros? I can't remember?) in one shop on one day.

If this does apply to you, be sure to tell the clerk when you pay that you want the VAT refund. She will fill out some paperwork which you then take to the VAT refund booth at the airport when you are leaving France. (By the way, you must have your passport number for the shop clerk to record on the form.)

At the VAT booth, you must have your receipts, the special form the clerk gave you, your passport, and theoretically, the merchadise you bought. So you need to do this BEFORE you check your luggage if the goods are in your luggage. I didn't have to show the goods this time, but once before I was denied the tax back because the goods were in my checked luggage.

After you get your forms stamped at the booth at the airport, you drop them in the mail (in a postage paid envelope the shop clerk has also given you).

Then you wait for the credit to appear on your credit card. I'm still waiting and I left Paris on Sept 29. But I have hope...