Programs: TG Gold, NW Gold and various other bits of plastic...
Posts: 569
Quote:
Originally Posted by terenz
Spend THB 2,000+ in the same (participating) store on the same day
Store has to fill out the rebate form
Minimum total purchase of THB 5,000 from all forms
If the goods are checked-in, have to present them to customs for inspection. If carry on, there's a rebate desk after immigration.
Tax is 7%.
Not a rebate but a discount to ask for in Thailand...
Some stores will give a 5% discount for tourists (I've had it in a couple of department stores in BKK). I've been given this discount without even asking for it (obviously because I looked like a tourist). This may be related to a Tourism Authority promotion but I've not seen the promotion at the time I got the discount so it's always worth asking!
Automatically waives (those outrageous) taxes (that U.S. state and local governments charge) on hotel rooms for foreigners when paying in foreign currency. I wish other countries, especially U.S. states, follow suit.
VAT is refunded for all goods purchased, usually at a rate of 14%. Services that levied VAT cannot have the VAT refunded, such as photo processing, watch repair and hotel stays. One can only claim VAT back at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban international airports and select seaports (i.e. not at border crossings into Namibia or Zimbabwe).
A administration fee of R75 or some percent of the total value of VAT claimed, whichever is highest, is deducted from the VAT refunded.
Expediting VAT processing upon departure
To avoid queues at the VAT reclaim offices post immigration and minimize tiime spent at the airport, bring all your receipts and VAT invoices to VAT offices in either Sandton City mall (Johannesburg) or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (Cape Town). They will screen all your invoices to ensure acceptibility and then produce a document indicating how much VAT you may receive. One has then simply to the express line at the VAT offices post-immgration, and it only takes 1 or 2 minutes to complete formalities and isssue you with a VAT cheque.
Packing your VAT purchases into hold luggage
You can have your VAT items inspected before checking-in, thus allowing you to put the items in the hold rather than lugging it aboard. This process tends to be much quicker if you have gone to the VAT offices in Sandton or the Waterfront, and the inspectors do not seem nearly so insistent you prove your purchases (which is helpful for visitors with family in SA).
Warning
The bureaucrats are incredibly strict about the requirements of claiming VAT. Everything must be perfectly in order, including every last detail on a VAT invoice. When you purchase something, be sure to ask for VAT invoice specifically. SA Revenue Service has handy brochures upon arrival near immigration that outlines in detail all the requirements for claiming VAT.
Oh, temporary residents can also get VAT back.
__________________ Zij die vliegen komen nooit tot rust. Zij die niet vliegen komen nergens.
In Japan, you can get the 5% tax back in some places (typically department stores and large chain retailers). The procedure to do this is as follows:
1) First as the staff it they have tax-free for visitors ("Men Zei" in Japanese) - if they don't understand, try showing them your passport. All places require you to spend at least 10,000 yen (approx. USD$100) to qualify for duty-free.
2) If they say yes, one of 2 things might happen:
a) they process the duty-free right there - they will ask you to put your name and signature on a form which they will paste in your passport; then you will only have to pay for 95% of the price of the goods (if the price tag shows a "tax-in" price)
b) they will ask you to pay for the entire price of the good (including tax); then you will have to take the receipt to their customer service location. There they will ask you to put your name and signature on a form which they will paste in your passport. Then they will refund the 5% you paid earlier.
There is no other step after this. You do not have to show your goods or anything at the airport. The slips of paper in your passport will be taken out when you pass customs on the day of your departure.
I'll have about $240 in Ontario hotel receipts. I understand that these are eligible for a refund of the 7% GST, but not the Ontario tax, so we aren't talking about that big an amount. I'll be checking out in Fort Erie a little past 4 a.m. to get a 6.45 flight out of BUF. It would be nice to get the refund on the spot rather than use the mail. I see that the Peace Bridge duty-free shop is open 24/7, but is it difficult, or awkward, to get the refund there at that hour, especially if I'm not planning to buy anything? If I can get the refund in cash, there's the question of whether to take it in Canadian or U.S. I'll return to Canada within the next year: any forecasts of where the exchange rate will go, and will the shop give USD at a fair exchange rate?
In France, certain merchants will arrange for you to receive a return of your VAT generally if you spend a certain minimum amount. You'll need your passport and to have the shop fill out a "détaxe" form.
The form needs to be presented ALONG WITH THE GOODS to the Customs counter at the airport AFTER you have your boarding pass. (In case you have packed the items in your checked bags, be very nice and friendly with French Customs and they may let you go.)
The Customs officer will stamp the forms, retain one copy and give you another copy which you will put into a pre-addressed, postage paid envelope and drop in the mailbox. (At CDG, there is a mailbox opposite the counter.)
Instead of asking for a check in Euros, have the tax refund credited to one of your credit cards.
