Parisian Shopping / VAT Questions

[raangoli]

I am headed to Paris and London in a few weeks and I have started to give more thought to finally indulging and buying myself a Louis. I've heard/read that it can often be slightly cheaper to buy it while visiting Paris.

A few questions:

1) How would I reclaim my VAT if we are then taking the Eurostar from Paris to London and then flying back to the states from there? I think I'd do it at Heathrow, but I want to be sure.

2) Is it actually worth it after all is said and done? I know it depends on what I decide to buy etc. I guess I'm interested to hear from others who've done it in the past?

[hz80408]

I had my parents do it for me when they went to Paris in April 2011. I'm planning on buying myself a 2nd when I go to Ireland at the end of the month.

Each country has their own VAT rate; so I think you have to file within a given country; but I'm not positive on that. Some stores themself will process the return for you (I'm not sure if they give you a refund on the spot or if your card is later credited; I think it's on the spot. I also think that you pay them a fee for doing the processing for you.

My Speedy 30 would have cost $800 with tax in Chicago. After VAT refund it cost about $620 in Paris in 2011.

Ireland's VAT rate is 23%, but based on my sister's recent travels there, she got back 17% (you won't necessarily get back the full percentage refund).

The purse I'm eyeing is a HUGE difference. To buy in Chicago with tax it'd cost $1460; to buy in Ireland (exchange rate at 1.30 per xe.com today) and with estimated 17% back; it'd be ~$930! Essentially 33% off retail in US.

[raangoli]

Thanks! I googled around some more and saw that the UK is a part of the EU so I can do the VAT reclaim at Heathrow which is good news. There will of course be some money lost because of all the different exchanges, but it might be worth it in the end after I did some more research into which bags I'd be interested in.

[hz80408]

Sept 14, 2012 7:47:10 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Thanks! I googled around some more and saw that the UK is a part of the EU so I can do the VAT reclaim at Heathrow which is good news. There will of course be some money lost because of all the different exchanges, but it might be worth it in the end after I did some more research into which bags I'd be interested in.

I just realized the same thing per Rick Steves. It's your last EU stop where you claim, no matter which country purchases were made in: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/vat.htm

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2012 13:40:11 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I am headed to Paris and London in a few weeks and I have started to give more thought to finally indulging and buying myself a Louis. I've heard/read that it can often be slightly cheaper to buy it while visiting Paris.

A few questions:

1) How would I reclaim my VAT if we are then taking the Eurostar from Paris to London and then flying back to the states from there? I think I'd do it at Heathrow, but I want to be sure.

2) Is it actually worth it after all is said and done? I know it depends on what I decide to buy etc. I guess I'm interested to hear from others who've done it in the past?

I am not sure that you can get a cash refund immediately at boutiques. I do know for certain that you can get cash immediately at Galeries Lafayette. I bought my H an LV epi wallet and it was 35% cheaper than in the US.

[raangoli]

Thanks. I heard that about Galeries Lafayette, as well. I'll have to try my hardest to contain my shopping since it sounds like it's definitely worthwhile.

[Deleted]

Just make sure that you bring your goods with you to the claim window when you turn in your paperwork. They can ask to see the item(s) that you bought. I've never had them ask me to take it out of the packaging, but usually just showing them the box/bag is good enough.

Also, at least in Paris you'll need to bring your passport with you when making purchases where you'll claim the VAT. They'll take down your passport number at the point of sale.

When you get the VAT refund documents back from the retailer it'll say on the paperwork how much you'll get back.

And the other thing that I noticed that if the item is available in the UK and in France, buy it in France. It's cheaper with the Euro than the Pound, but France has a higher minimum for claiming the VAT.

IMO it's totally worth it to claim the VAT. The longest I've had to wait at CDG or LHR is 25 minutes.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2012 15:21:11 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Thanks. I heard that about Galeries Lafayette, as well. I'll have to try my hardest to contain my shopping since it sounds like it's definitely worthwhile.

You can at Le Bon Marche too (and I'd imagine the other large department stores).

[raangoli]

Thanks for the additional tips and info!