These were products bought in Paris. I needed to turn in the VAT forms at the duty free conter as I leave the country to prove I am taking the items with me, in order to get my 17% back . But like I said, it was subsequently possible for me to hand off these purchases to anyone in the departure area, even if they did not have a ticket. If you claim that this office is always on the departure side, what's to prevent anyone from handing the purchase back to a French "friend" and split the savings. (17% percent of a Rolex watch is alot of money)