VAT refund and travel route

3) Please advice what transportation to take from hotel to MXP airport ?

Take the Malpensa Express from the Codorna station

1) Please explain this process too. Thanks

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/vat-refunds

1. You make your VAT refund claim as you leave the EU, which appears to be Munich. You should have the goods with you available for inspection, so they have to be with you in your carry-on. I've always done it at an exchange booth kiosk, where they take a percentage of the refund as a fee for the service. Goods should be in original packaging and unused.
   
2. Assuming you will take a taxi to Cadorna station for the train to MXP, leave at 5:30 am. It is just a short way to Cadorna station, so you should be able to make the 5:57 Malpensa Express train to the airport. The train takes 37 minutes which will get you there by 6:34, plenty of time for an 8:55 flight to Munich. If you miss the 5:57 train, the next one is at 6:27 getting to the airport at 7:04, which is still probably OK. Cost of the train is 13 EUR per person.
3. The Metro does not start running until 6 am, so take a taxi and arrange this with your hotel the night before.

1) we are in Amsterdam now and plan on purchase a check in luggage, but wonder how does the rule of carry all purchasing items apply in this case, if I buy a “check in size suitcase”

2) Today at global blue inside the de Bijenkorf Amsterdam, counter staff said I could claim my purchases good with TAX FREE in Milan airport prior to departing as well, since Munich is my stop over.

Sounds like I could claim at either location ( Milan or Munich airport ? )Please clarify.

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/travelling/travellers-leaving-eu/guide-vat-refund-visitors-eu_en

Do I have to leave the EU straight away from the country where I purchased goods?

No. You can buy VAT-free goods even if you are going to be visiting other EU countries before you finally return home, as long as you actually leave the EU with the goods within the time limit. You have to get your documents stamped by a customs officer at the point of exit of the EU – not necessary in the same EU country where you bought it.

You exit the EU from Munich, not Milan. Per the EU website noted above you have to do the process in Munich

Hi Joe,

Does the VAT claim happen after pass the security check or before ?

My question is if I buy regular check in suitcase, I would not able to carry on plane because it’s not allowed to carry on,

http://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Leaving-Germany/Tax-free-shopping/tax-free-shopping_node.html

and of course you can only claim the VAT back from shops which participate in the programme, and only after you make the minimum purchases they require.

Only once have I applied for the VAT refund. It was for a very expensive kilt I had bought in Glasgow. I went through the whole rigamarole and about 6 weeks later I received the refund. $3.25. I spent it wisely.

Norma's story makes an important point. Before you go to the hassle and time it takes to apply for the VAT refund, make sure it's going to be worth it. Unless you're buying a lot of expensive items, it probably isn't.

Unless you're buying a lot of expensive items, it probably isn't.

Not making any judgement, but based on OP's other posts , her trip seems to be as much about shopping as touring. I suspect she will be eligible for a larger refund than Norma. She mentions she is filling a bag that must be checked with her purchases.

From what I skimmed of the EU VAT refund regs, it looks a bit complicated when one has the VAT stuff in a checked bag and one flies from one EU airport to another before the EU exit flight, especially if some VAT stuff is in the checked bag and more is in a carry on bag.

I sure hope OP makes some good buys to make all the work worth the effort

hi Joe, based on what you said, where and how you will claim tax free items ? Some in Milan i.e. regular size check in luggage, and other shoppings that I could carry in to be claimed in Munich ?

Bit confused.

I suggest you read in detail the info in the links I included in my earlier responses. I only skimmed through it.
I have never applied for a VAT refund as my shopping has been just small modest value items..
I have no personal experience with the process.
I was just trying to provide you the sources that have the info you seem to be seeking and needing

2) Today at global blue inside the de Bijenkorf Amsterdam, counter staff said I could claim my purchases
good with TAX FREE in Milan airport prior to departing as well, since Munich is my stop over.

Sounds like I could claim at either location ( Milan or Munich airport? )Please clarify.

One of the VAT Refund companies that operates at Milan, www.taxrefund.it, says: "If the merchandise is in the carry-on luggage, the stamp is requested in the last European airport transited before leaving the E.U. If the purchased merchandise is in the luggage to be checked-in, the stamp must be obtained in the last European airport where you check-in, before sending off your bags."

I applied for the VAT refund on two items last time I was in Italy. On one item, I received about E 93 back and on another, about E25.
I asked for the VAT refund form at the stores where I purchased the items, then took the forms and the receipts to a booth in the customs area when flying out of the Rome airport. It wasn't difficult.