Handbags and VAT taxes

[willow]

So my traveling companion for the upcoming trip to Paris got a list from her mother for shopping items. One of the items is a Yves Saint Laurent handbag. I am not sure which one and when I went to look I was astounded by the prices! Here in the US they seem to start at 500 unless your getting a wallet!

From past reading, I can't imagine they are any less expensive in France, or am I wrong?

Also if this is indeed the cost, I have to fill out a VAT tax form, correct? What is the best way to go about this? We have an early morning departure so I want to make sure we have plenty of time to do what must be done!

[greyghost1]

Hi willow. Last trip to Paris I bought a YSL bag and I figure it cost maybe $50.00 less however the colour - purple - was very scarce in the US. At the Beverly Hills store they had the style I bought on sale and it was a lot less than the one I bought in Paris but in a IMO bad colour which is prob. why it was on sale. Also the Las Vegas store had some of the bags on sale but not their best ones. Again IMO.

re: VAT the store will fill out the form for you. You need a copy of your passport for them to do it. Then once you get to the airport you go to the VAT counter. Make sure you -or your friend- has the bag in hand as I have found they do examine them, often closely. However I am not sure when the VAT counter opens at CDG...once I found it to be closed early in the am.

[greyghost1]

I have to add, I think there was a post either here or on ta re: VAT counter opening hours but thet may have been at LHR not CDG. Maybe someone here knows what time they generally open. As we always fly before noon I have never had a long line at CDG. I have had very long lines at LHR tho.

[suzanne]

My only experience with the VAT counter was not so great. The line was long and moved slowly. We nearly missed our flight. Some of the stores can issue the Vat refund at the store I believe. I bought some Yadro's one year and had the store ship them to me thereby avoiding the VAT line. although, the shipping cost most likely was more than The VAT savings.

Perhaps the airport website has th VAT hours.

[holger]

You can have the completed form and the item with you and if no line then it will go quickly. If you are putting it in carry on, you can do this after check in at counter. However, if it is going in your check through luggage, you need to do it before. In 2006, we had no problem with lines. In 2007, however, we were behind a very large group of Asian tourists and the line was very slow. But we were at airport about 3 hours prior to flight so were OK. Shipping costs and insurance could be more than the return. You should comparison shop given the exchange rate and the possibility of sales. Also if your friend exceeds her U.S. duty free, she may have to pay customs at this end. Unless you travel with family from one address, you cannot combine. Mximum duty free this end is $800 per person. verified antiques and original art are not taxed as a rule. If your friend is buying items by credit card she will have to be the one to fill out the forms.Sometimes it is less expensive and less trouble to get items here especially the big brands that sell globally. I purchased an LV Bag at the LV store in Portland Oregon which has no sales tax and it was the price minus VAT I would have paid in Paris.

I believe that some of the major department stores may do a VAT return by credit card for you but you still need to get the form stamped and all forms have to be mailed back to seller for this to prove the items left France. So you still need extra time at the airport.

[greyghost1]

Holger's post reminded me. I believe at Galeries Lafaffiet -greatly misspelled as I have never been there - they have a VAT refund counter but if I remember I read those lines can be VERY long and you have to buy a certain amount to allow you/her to do the VAt refund there. I am sure someone here has used it or can explain better.

[Laura NY (aoi33)]

Willow, I think this will help clear up any questions you have:

www.parisescapes.com/paris_department_vat_refund.html

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Very useful website! And the most important part of the advice is, never skip the airport step because you won't get your refund even if the store filled things out etc. (I was not previously aware about the three-hour thing - good to know!)