TAX REFUND for Tourists
 

I did my tax refund in CDG airport and mailed in the forms on Dec 28. I would like to know the period in which I should be getting the credit back into my credit card? Thanks

Six weeks is a fair time. BTW: Did you read about the guy who claimed refund in Europe and forgot to declare on arrivial in the US? :D There appears to be nice communication over the pond.

Was this recently? I would really like to have more info; do you recall where you read about it?

Six weeks? Wow, that's ambitious. I would say between 3-4 months, myself.

This can take a long time...even 6 months is not shocking...you may give up on ever receiving the refund but it will hit eventually.

I got my refund credited to my credit card in 3 weeks. It was for a piece of art work that I purchased from a small art gallery in Paris. I think small stores like that credit much quicker than larger stores. I'd start to worry that I wasn't getting if I haven't received it in 6 months.

Speedy service from Paris? That's an oxymoron if I ever saw one. ;)

During my last trip to London, I was queuing up at the tax refund counter (at Heathrow Airport) when a guy (wearing Travelrex name tag) was combing to check if anyone is requesting for tax refund via credit card. I told him that I wanted the refund to credit card account and was told that he can just collect the forms from me with all the information duly completed.

He asked for my passport for verification and scanned through the forms. He collected the forms and told me that refund will be made around 1 month time. It has been a month and the refund has yet been processed into my credit card account and I did not have any photocopies of the tax refund forms. Will be there any way to check on the status or I can just say good bye to the tax refund?

EU->Non-EU->Transfer at EU->Non EU
 

Fters,

Will be spending a bit of time going through Europe, and will be travelling from the UK to Switzerland for a couple of days, before heading to New York (on BA - transferring at LHR).

Just wondering if any Fters can advise where I should be claiming my tax refund (my other half has told me that she is going to shop until my credit card cracks...), as Switzerland isn't a part of EU. Should I be claiming before I leave the UK for Switzerland, or should I be claiming whilst in transfer between ZRH and NYC?

Note:

1. My flight out of LHR to ZRH is very very early in the morning (not a morning person myself).
2. We only have 3 hours 40 minutes in between touching down from Zurich and taking off for New York, in which some time would need to be spent to take full advantage of what's on offer by BA, i.e. the Concorde Room, Elemis Travel Spa. (This 3 hours and 40 minutes can be extended depending on award seat availability).

BTW, it's been a while since I last visited the US, will we need to declare these handbags, shoes... (personal use) to Customs?
Thanks.

If you re-import these goods into the the EU you need to declare the goods and you need to pay taxes.

However, from what I understand you do not re-enter the EU when travelling from Switzerland via the UK to the US but you travel Ex-EU - Transit - Ex-EU. I am not sure how this works in LHR but I would expect that you do not clear customs in the UK.

I have a unique question regarding VAT Refund for tourist. I am Spanish Citizen but reside outside the EU (reside in my home country in Asia - holding that passport too). Do I qualify to receive tax refund?
I've been to Europe quite a few times using my non EU passport (and enjoyed tax refunds many times) but since my visa is expiring I would like to use my Spanish passport to enter EU for our holiday.

All comments and answers are appreciated.
Thank you.

I can't comment on the rules in place in other countries, but you certainly qualify under the UK rules.

It doesn't matter who you are, just so long as you are established (living) outside of the European Common Customs and VAT Area (and that the goods in question will be leaving it).

[There are also other provisions for people who are about to leave to be established outside, for a period of atleast 12 months.]

As I said, I can't comment on other countries rules, however the principle is that it is based upon you living outside vs inside, not who you are at all. Therefore I would readily expect you to qualify.

[Edited to add: You position is certainly not unique!]

Thanks for your reply David-A :)

You are right my situation is not unique. Just my question, based on the topic of this thread.
I am very well aware that a lot of EU Citizens live and permanently reside outside the EU zone.
Anyway, should have not mentioned unique.... Sorry :(

Sorry!

Don't worry, I was just pointing out that there are many people in a similar situation, just in case you were concerned you might experience dificulty getting the refund due to it being an unsual situation! That was all.

Are there any restrictions on what items are eligible for tax refund?
I'm looking to get some stuff from Cartier and Hermes.

I assume most luxury brand stores do offer tax refund?

I'll be travelling to both Paris and London. Can I consolidate all my purchases at my EU exit point (CDG), or do I have to do it separately?