I’m wondering if anyone has ever successfully gotten their entire VAT refund (20% for France)
I think it sucks that companies like global blue keep around 8% of your refund, so I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a way to do it without the middle man. If you have managed to do this, you are my hero and please share your wisdom!
I’ve been able to get the full amount before from stores elsewhere in Europe but it took several months and I needed to mail back paperwork to them so there’s definitely a reason the processors take their cut!
When I was visiting Spain—Some of the larger shopping centers had special processing that didn’t charge much. Perhaps they have something similar in France?
Luxury boutiques like Hermes LV Goyard or Chanel aren’t going to process VAT paperwork without a third party. The process requires that customs confirm that you took the item out of the EU with a stamp. Then what? You can’t run back to LV for the tax refund. It may work with a smaller company who also doesn’t want to retain a TPP but doubtful they want to handle that stuff
It depends of the shop you are buying from. most are using an operator but some shops do it directly and you can have the full 20% refund. I received a full 20% VAT at Darty (MacBook), Decathlon (sport stuff) and at Star’s Music (Guitar).
Edit: I double checked and Decathlon was using Global Blue so I didn’t receive the full 20% back.
Yes you don’t have choice, it only depends of the shop policy. Probably better to contact shops at first if it’s an expensive purchase. For exemple I bought a Rimowa luggage at Gallerie Lafayette and wasn’t aware at that time that the centralised VAT refund at Lafayette didn’t give the full refund. If I knew I would have called other Rimowa shops to check their VAT refund policy.
Also, for what it’s worth, I do think the stores are legally required to give you an invoice that allows you to do it yourself. Whether they actually will is another story. It seems like there is a lot of misinformation out there and most people aren’t motivated by an extra 5-6% to find out what’s true and what’s not.
You don’t get back the VAT from the government like, for example, the GST refund in Australia. Instead you get the refund directly from the store so they can choose to use an operator to ease the process. Basically when the shop refunds you directly the 20%, they cash the VAT, and once you scan your document at the airport, they pay you back the VAT, usually by wire transfer, but they have to do extra accounting and justify everthing to tax services. There is a huge difference for them, operators are free because they get paid by the VAT difference. When they refund you directly, they have to manage the time consumming process.
You'd have to find a merchant who doesn't contract with global blue or another company to process their refunds, so if you're shopping at well-known global shops, the likelihood is low.
Also, don’t forget to get a card refund as airport Vat refund locations also tax you(they need to make money as well) and will often try to make you get the refund in another currency (with a bad exchange rate)
I believe you have no choice. Been shopping in Europe and you don't get the full tax amount refunded to you. Even the stores mention that when preparing your VAT papers.
Nope, just bought 2 pairs of shoes at Hermes Saint Tropez 2 weeks ago, can confirm it's 12%. I can double check the receipt but I'm pretty sure. Maybe 11 worst case, but definitely not 10. I shopped at Dior, Fendi, Aquazurra, Bottega, Hermes, Gucci- majority if not all was 12%. Definitely not as low as 10.
Damn, that sucks. I was sure she told me 11 or 12, but you're right I just checked mine too. But at least the sticker prices themselves are like 25% less than in the US.
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u/_B1gP0ppA_ 4d ago
Don’t think it’s possible to get the full 20%. These refund operators need to make money too to process paperwork and etc.