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Where to Get Tax Refund Customs Stamp (Munich–Dublin–US Connection)

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Hello all,
I will be traveling from Munich to the US with a connection in Dublin via Aer Lingus, and I am a bit confused about where I should get my tax refund/customs stamp.

My understanding is that the tax refund form should be stamped in the last EU country of departure, which in my case would be Ireland (Dublin). However, since Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, I assume I will go through German customs when flying from Munich to Dublin. Should I get the form stamped by German customs in Munich and drop off the refund form there, or should I wait until Dublin to get the stamp? If it needs to be done in Dublin, will it be possible to have the form stamped and mailed while staying in the transfer/connection area? I only have less than two hours for the connection, so I’m a bit worried about whether I’ll have enough time.

EDIT: Thank you so much to everyone who provided helpful information. I’d like to add a bit more context.

One of the items I’m claiming a tax refund for costs more than €2000. I’ve seen on different forums that for expensive items, you may not be allowed to leave it in checked luggage when getting the customs stamp at Munich Airport. I will need to get the customs stamp in Dublin instead. I plan to carry the item with me anyway given its value.

My question is: how easy is it to find a customs officer at Dublin Airport Terminal 2? From what I understand, in T2 you may need to use a phone to call customs so that someone can come and stamp the receipt/refund form. Are they usually responsive? I have less than 2 hours for my connection in Dublin (approximately 1pm–3pm). Will this be enough time? Also, is the customs phone located along the route between my arrival gate (from Munich) and the US pre-clearance area for my flight to the US?

Another question: Based on information I found online, Irish customs do not stamp receipts for items under €2,000. For tax refund forms with a value of less than €2,000, can I simply drop them into the airport drop box without a customs stamp? In other countries, regardless of the amount, I usually need a stamp before dropping the form off. But in Ireland, is the rule slightly different?

Posted by
1989 posts

Hopefully someone who has actually done this recently will respond. It's been a while since I claimed a vat refund, but here goes.

If the items will be in your checked luggage, you'll need to get your documents stamped in Munich.

If the items will be in your carry-on, you'll need to get the documents stamped in Dublin.

Here's the location info for Dublin airport.

Posted by
495 posts

I only have less than two hours for the connection, so I’m a bit worried about whether I’ll have enough time.

Having never claimed the VAT refund, I'd have to ask if it's worth your time and worry. On paper, any "refund" seems nice, but when I track through my many trips where I paid VAT on purchases, I can't say I regret not bothering with that paperwork.

IOW, unless I had a big ticket item(s) where the VAT was significant, I wouldn't bother. I might be in the minority, but the time/effort involved never seemed worth it to me.

I'm really interested to see if I have been making a rookie mistake for decades now.

Posted by
3723 posts

"However, since Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, I assume I will go through German customs when flying from Munich to Dublin."

No. You will not go through customs when going from Munich to Dublin. You will go through passport control (immigration). There is no customs between EU countries.

It is because EU and Schengen do not exactly overlap that Customs and Immigration is separated in Europe. Anyway, there is also normally no Customs when leaving the EU. Which is why when you leave you have to actively go and look for them if you need them...

Technically you should indeed present your tax free items to Customs when you leave the EU, but in practice you should do it where you check your luggage, as you will not see it in Dublin. So that would be Munich.
Unless you plan on keeping the stuff in your hand luggage, in which case you would indeed have to look for Customs in Dublin.

Posted by
1989 posts

Here's the thing no matter which airport. The customs officer may ask to see the item/s and the items must not be used. Do not cut off any tags or normal packaging that would make your new purse, jacket or toy look like you have been using it. You can not claim vat refund on used goods

If you want to put your items in your checked bag you would tell the agent at the Aer Lingus check in counter in Munich that you have a vat refund. They will give you your boarding pass, tag your bag and you and your bag will go take care of getting your stamp. Then you'll go back to the Aer Lingus counter and give them your bag. That said, for the high value of your items you should take keep it with you in your carry-on.

Dublin Airport: did you go to the link I gave you in the first response?

Posted by
23092 posts

Since Ireland is the last stop in the EU, that is where it is done. I did this is in 2015. We had an overnight in Dublin, so was able to have items available for inspection. Since we also cleared US customs and immigration at Dublin, it was not an issue.

Posted by
1989 posts

And don't forget you only have $800USD personal exemption bringing items in to the US. You will need to declare your purchases to US Customs and pay any customs duty.

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