Hello everyone,
I am a little confused at how the process of VAT works. I have a flight leaving Rome(FCO) at 7:55 am from terminal 3 and was wondering is the customs office and tax refund open 24/7 here? Or is there anyway to do it the night before? Another thing I am concerned about is the fact that I have a connecting flight in Sweden (1hr layover), but read I could refund my goods in Rome as long as I check in the luggage. I also read if I purchase everything in Italy I can go straight up to the Global blue desk without custom stamps. This does not seem right but it is worth asking as someone might be able to reflect on it. How does one do this? Also do we go before/after checking in for my flight? Sorry for all the question I am an inexperienced travel and was hoping someone with much more knowledge than I could help out.
Best,
Chris A.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
The rule is you (or rather the shop that sold you the goods) can claim back VAT if the goods leave the EU intact and unused.
If you are flying Rome - Sweden - Somewhere outside EU, then Sweden is the place they leave the EU and you should (according to the rules) get your forms signed there. You normally need to have the goods in hand luggage, as they are checked after you have legally exited the EU.
If the goods are in luggage which is being checked through to your final destination, then, in theory, you should be able to get the form stamped at or before check-in, but I have now idea if this is possible.
There is no way you can do it the night before, as the goods have then not left the EU.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
The other consideration is Italy's rules of the minimum purchase one can claim VAT on. I never spend that kind of money in one place, so don't bother with this.
http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/how-to-get-a-vat-refund-in-italy.html
Posted by
New Orleans
1224 posts
Chris, on 11-18, another poster, "KC" described their Italian trip on the "trip reports" section of this website, and offered this experience re. getting their VAT refund at FCO:
VA refund: Best part! It's easy. I was transferring through another European city, but thought I'd try to get the stamps here instead of hassling with it later. The people in front of me in line were doing the same, but were actually told to get the stamp in Italy. If you're carrying on, go through security, and immediately after before going to the gate and passport control, look right and find the line. It's even open at 6am. The line took 20-30 minutes to get through although it wasn't really all that long, so plan for that. Maybe some people didn't have their forms already filled out? It could be a pain if you get behind a tour group, but hopefully they'd be checking their stuff and would deal with this outside security. There are signs on the office that make it clear- No Items, No Stamp. But this guy wasn't checking items. Then they have the mailboxes right there for the different tax refund companies, and no stamp needed if mailing from the EU. Not sure the places were open if you want to get cash back, but I'd rather have the refund on the credit card. Now to wait and see if it actually happens! (Still waiting and will probably be waiting for some time).
Posted by
West Coast
438 posts
Hi! Yep, it was just that easy. I bought a fancy leather bag, and the place I got it from gave me a form, already filled out (other than my passport number, etc. that I wrote in), with an envelope included that said no postage needed. I don't know the process if you wanted to check the bag with the purchases, but for carry-on, the office was open and functioning when I got there by about 6am. The process might be a little longer if you don't have that envelope, but if you do the forms ahead of time, it shouldn't be too bad. Just as described above. Have the things with you even though you might not be asked to show them. The boxes for the different refund companies were there on the wall. Not sure about getting cash back, however, but if you get the stamps in Italy then maybe try for cash back during the connection? Worst case, you mail the forms from Sweden if you can or pay postage to mail from back home and wait for the refund on the credit card. It saves a tone of hassle if you do this in Italy rather than during a connection. Happy shopping!