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VAT Refund For Items Mailed To USA

Posted by (Mead, Colorado, USA) on

My wife and I purchased expensive ski clothing in Germany. The selling company used a service to assist with the refund of VAT. We had the items shipped to our home in the USA via German Mail to US Mail. We were instructed to have airport customs stamp our sales receipt when we left Europe. Next, we were told to go to the VAT refund counter with the stamped receipt.

When we asked for a customs stamp on our sales receipt at the Vienna airport, Austrian Customs people said unless we had the items with us they could not give us the stamp. They advised us to go to the US customs service in the US for the stamp.

I have posted a question to US Customs on line for information on this process. No response yet.

Has anyone had a similar experience with VAT refunds?

Posted by
1589 posts

Does the term " SOL " ring a bell? The VAT scenario that you have described has been happening for the past 40 years, with little recourse on the part of the traveler once back at home.

Posted by
705 posts

My understanding is that you need to have the goods with you and the customs people need to sight the goods to verify what they are. I travelled from Florence to Zurich by train and at the border I had to take my purchases to the customs office with the receipt and have my goods inspected. Once they had inspected them I had my form stamped. When I got to Zurich airport I deposited my form in the box and a few weeks later received a refund to my credit card.

Posted by
5865 posts

Hi Jim,

Typically when you buy goods from a shop that participates in the "global refund" program and the shop ships those goods directly to your home, the VAT will be deducted at the time of purchase. When you carry the goods with you, you need to show them when you leave the country. You are only eligible for the refund of VAT if the goods are not used within the EU which is why the shop will seal the goods. At the airport, they will inspect that you have not broken the seal.

If you mailed the goods home yourself, I think you are out of luck. If the store shipped them directly, I think you need to go back to the store.

Posted by
769 posts

Ive noticed too you had to have the NEW unused items with you at the airport etc... about the sealed bacg - only some places did that (not very practical) and others didnt - but they all had to have the big form. I never ended up submitting anything because I either sent home via mail - or the place was closed at the airport when I left. If you really like the items - just pay the premium or else play their game and good luck!

Posted by
17 posts

Thank you for your responses.

I called the German consulate in LA this morning.
They said I could get a stamp for my VAT refund if I did the following: Bring items to Consulate office in Denver. Also bring receipt, passport and airline iternary. For 20 euro they will stamp my receipt. Since the selling company participates in a mail in program, I now can sent in receipt to request a refund. Too good to be true. Thanks again for your help.

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