I want to purchase 40kg of coffee from a retail store Austria. (I love this coffee. It is a year's supply) They will not ship to the US. I will be in Germany and they will ship to Germany. If I had it sent to my hotel in Germany, to be then carried home by me when I leave for the US, is there any way I could recover the VAT?
I did this last year and obviously paid the VAT.
TIA
40kg of coffee ..... (I love this coffee. It is a year's supply)
How many people does this supply?; or the alternate question "Do you ever sleep?"
Cannot directly address you question, but have you seen this https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/travellers/vat-refund.html
( I didn't read through it, so not sure how the story ends)
Do you have to pay duty coming into the US?
While it is possible to claim the 10% VAT refund on food that is being exported, you would need to contact your vendor to see if they participate in the VAT Refund scheme in Austria. They would need to complete their part of the paperwork for you to request the refund when departing Germany.
I want to purchase 40kg of coffee
You also want to check the baggage fees and weight limits on your airline. You will probably need to pack it in two separate bags. You would have 88 lbs of coffee and typically bags have to weigh under 50 lbs on U.S. airlines.
I’d also be concerned that with 40kg, CBP might not think this is for personal use. There are different requirements for commercial import and 40kg might get some extra scrutiny.
p.s. what kind of coffee is it. I want to try it the next time I go to Austria.
