Originally Posted by
oliver2002
When I'm buying things in Germany and planning to be back some place near the retailer within the next one year, I usually get the export certified using just the receipt (the customs officer has a form they fill out for you) or use the form found here:
http://www.zoll.de/c0_reise_und_post...fen/index.html
Upon return to Germany take the correctly stamped form back to the retailer and you get the entire 19% VAT common in Germany back in full. The agencies like 'global refund' take a massive cut from the entire transaction that tick me off
You don't even need the form. I have the invoice in my personal name or my company name with the overseas address, get it stamped on exit and mail or carry it back to the seller in Germany. They would then return the tax cash or to my German bank account (In case I mail them the stamped invoice). In some cases where I buy regularly, I don't have to pay it in the first place.
In order to get your invoice stamped for goods you have checked in, you need to get your checked luggage back and present it at customs. They will take care of it after stamping.
There is a limit for purchases in one invoice of 1000 Euros. For higher invoices you need to fill an export declaration.