Receiving the VAT refund in Rome?
Sep 28, 2015 | 7:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 356
Receiving the VAT refund in Rome?
Hi,
So I might be doing some shopping in Rome and would like to receive the tourist VAT refund.
Reading online, the process in Italy seems to be somewhat convoluted. Is there an option or some procedure to finalize the process and receive the refund in cash while at still at the city?. I wouldn't want to leave this issue to the last minute dashing around the airport.
Cheers
So I might be doing some shopping in Rome and would like to receive the tourist VAT refund.
Reading online, the process in Italy seems to be somewhat convoluted. Is there an option or some procedure to finalize the process and receive the refund in cash while at still at the city?. I wouldn't want to leave this issue to the last minute dashing around the airport.
Cheers
Sep 28, 2015 | 4:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
Sep 29, 2015 | 2:07 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
It varies, depending on if you want instant refund, what currency choices you make, and other non-transparent fees. To qualify for the VAT in Italy you have to spend a minimum of 154.94 euros in the same store, the same day. The minimum purchase gets you a standard GB refund of 19 euros.
If a pair of shoes cost 129 euros and the tax on them is 20%, or 25.8 euros. 129 + 25.8 = 154.8 euros. Close enough. So for a 129 euro pair of shoes you pay 25.8 euros in tax, and GB will give you 19 euros, keeping 6.8 as a fee, more or less. That's roughly a 25% fee in my rough estimate.
If a pair of shoes cost 129 euros and the tax on them is 20%, or 25.8 euros. 129 + 25.8 = 154.8 euros. Close enough. So for a 129 euro pair of shoes you pay 25.8 euros in tax, and GB will give you 19 euros, keeping 6.8 as a fee, more or less. That's roughly a 25% fee in my rough estimate.
Sep 30, 2015 | 4:11 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 356
tnx. I've found that GB has a website which calculates the estimated refund:
http://goo.gl/wPvaQ
Would you be able to suggest reputable shops in Rome which carry 4G LTE unlocked mobile phones?
Cheers
http://goo.gl/wPvaQ
Would you be able to suggest reputable shops in Rome which carry 4G LTE unlocked mobile phones?
Cheers