VAT refund for early flights

You don't have to process anything at an office or with a clerk; they use machines. I hope someone else will know if access to these machines starts before 6:30 but there is at least a chance of that.

Well, where is your 7:10 flight going? I have not left that early since the Pablo machines were put in place so I don't know if they are available that early. However, a few year ago I was taking an early AM flight with a very short connection in Frankfurt and the customs window was open. The person at the United check-in counter directed me to a door and told me to knock on it. I did and it was opened by a customs officer who was monitoring arrivals and he inspected my purchases (first and only time that has happened) and then stamped the forms.

Jane, we flew out of CDG in early October and I was amazed at how easy the process is. We dropped off our cargo bags, then were told to go farther down the hall where the machines are. Using our paperwork and receipts provided by the shop, we entered our info and received a receipt. A couple of weeks later the credit was posted to our credit card. I can't imagine that the machines close and if they did, you could just ask to have access to them; they're out in the open with just a few ropes to control the lines. We were able to walk right up without any waiting.

thanks everyone for your help. i have a 1 hour layover in amsterdam but dont want to risk getting the paperwork taken care of there since i only have an hour. i flew out of CDG last november - it was a later flight so i didn't have to worry about the time but i did have to get 1 form stamped by someone since the machine denied it so i'm just worried that that's going to be the case this year. i'll have to take the gamble.
thank you!