Best Way to Purchase in Australia

[MarkP]

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Not that bizarre.

 

When we travel to Europe, we can only get VAT free as we are non-EU residents. My wife doesn't as she has a German passport. So, I get the receipt, tax free declaration, and then the refund on leaving the EU (less the rip-off fee)

 

Cheers

John

 

 

That 'rip-off fees" and the "rip-off exchange rates" for VAT refund are outrageous. The only people who win are the companies that process the VAT refunds. It's beyond me how they are allowed to operate. We recently spent a fortune on retail-therapy in Europe, greatly assisted by the strong Australian dollar. The process of claiming, the rip-offs and the delays in payment hardly make the process worthwhile even for large sums of money.

 

Mark

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[andybarton]

I have never been in a position to reclaim a sales tax, but I understood that, in the UK at least, you get a form from the person selling you the goods, take that to a desk at the point of your departure from the EU (usually an airport) and they sorted everything out for you.

 

I wasn't aware of a third party company being involved.

 

Thanks for the heads-up.

[MarkP]

That's what I thought 'till I went through the process. It is a slow and complicated affair.

 

Initially, the purchases with all relevant documents (which have to PERFECTLY filled out) have to be inspected and paperwork stamped by customs. This is particularly a problem depending on whether you want to pack them or take in cabin luggage. There are often long queues at points of departure and directions are not clear having to bounce between VAT claim office, customs/security clearance, and airline check-in (especially if you have two kids in tow).

 

If you are on your way out of the EU but in transit through another EU airport the process is even worse as you can't claim the refund 'till you get to that final port.

 

Then, whether claiming the refund at the airport or sending in the paperwork when you get home, the VAT refund is handled by a number of companies with names such as 'Global Blue" or whatever. They are not government agencies, charge outrageous exchange rates and handling fees. The refund takes many months if mailed in and chasing them up is next to imossible. Precious little of your money or emotional reserves are left by the time it is all over.

 

This description is actually a gross understatement of how bad this process really is.