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Planet not refunding VAT tax

Hello. I purchased some amber jewelry at House of Amber in Copenhagen. They gave me a stamped receipt to show at the airport to get a refund of our significant VAT tax paid. I went to the blue customs office at FCO (Rome) as it was our departure point back to the States, as Copenhagen would not do it since it was not our last destination.

The FCO office would not refund the tax in person, but they stamped the receipt and told me to use the Planet box that was next to the customs office. So, I filled out the Planet form, took a picture of the receipts from House of Amber, and the completed Planet form, and picture of me putting the envelope in the Planet box.

After several weeks, I emailed the Planet customer service per the email address on the envelope picture I took. They did get back to me and said they found my receipt but could not find the credit card number that they would refund the VAT tax to, and to send the CC numbers in pieces in separate emails.

That sounded fishy, but it was from the "official" planet email address, and I had used a card I used only for that trip, so if it was hacked through my sending them the number in pieces, it would be easy to close down. So, I did.

Well, I never got the VAT tax refunded. Have kept checking with them via the email address [email protected] and they continue to reply that they cannot find the credit card.

Is this a scam? How do I get my VAT tax back? I pressed the Rome customs agent as to why he wouldn't just refund me right there, as he had with the person right before me. He just said it was because it was from Denmark and I had to use the Planet box.

???

Thanks!

Posted by
7100 posts

I’ve never gotten a VAT back after placing the required materials in any box, in any country. Not that I buy much, but I don’t even bother anymore unless it’s a manned station.

Posted by
16172 posts

The one time I tried to get VAT back, I never heard from them. It's been four years so I'm losing hope. (LOL)

Posted by
11831 posts

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/vat-refunds_en

---The value of the goods bought must be above a certain minimum (set by each EU country).---

Did you meet this requirement?

Where can I complain if I did not receive the refund?
You can complain to the company in which you bought the goods because this company has a principal responsibility to give the refund. If however that company used an intermediary you may first apply to the intermediary. European Commission does not intervene in particular cases of VAT refund to foreign visitors. ‘
https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/guide-vat-refund-visitors-eu_en

It would appear there is no governmental assistance for your situation

This puzzles me:
I had used a card I used only for that trip, so if it was hacked through my sending them the number in pieces, it would be easy to close down. So, I did.
Well, I never got the VAT tax refunded. Have kept checking with them via the email address [email protected] and they continue to reply that they cannot find the credit card.

Did you close the credit card account?

If the account is still open have you tried re-sending the card number?

Is there a phone number you can call?

Posted by
13 posts

The VAT tax was over $200... it was a large purchase. In fact, the House of Amber made sure to point out that I should make the VAT tax refund claim at the airport.

The Planet Payment Customer Service people emailed me and said they found the receipt (even though I sent it in the envelope and fortunately took pictures of it as I no longer have the original, they do), but they did not have the full credit card number. They asked that I send the credit card number in two emails, with the first eight digits in one and the last eight in another. So I did.

What I meant about the credit card is that I only used it for purchases on that trip. I have not used it since and do not use it regularly... so, if someone was to get to those emails I sent Planet and figured out my credit card number and try and use it, I would easily see the fraudulent charges and dispute them as there are no current charges on it. I would also easily see a VAT refund. So far, nothing.

I wanted the manned station at FCO to pay me, but they said they wouldn't, and said to use the Planet Payment mailbox that was next to the manned station. Cannot find a phone number, but will look again... but given significant hold times on everything else and international calling rates, that may use up the value of the refund!

So, I guess it is a scam... especially if one of you has waited four years! My mom got all of her VAT tax back, but that was in the 80s!