Anyone recently visited Europe and get tax back on goods?

[janinegirly]

I''m trying to remember how this works...if you buy something expensive while on vacation to let''s say Europe, you usually fill out some paperwork at the store, show your passport and then mail it at the airport. The tax is then refunded to you 6-8wks...or at least that''s what I remember. Does anyone recall the specifics? Is it just mailing it at the airport or is it more elaborate.

The reason I ask is my sister is going there for vacation and I''d like her to buy something for me...but can''t remember how it works and how much I''d save.

 

[LostSapphire]

This is how it works in Sweden:

Your purchase has to be made at a store certified as a "Tax Free Outlet". They will take details of your passport, and bag up the item. There is a minimum value of purchase, for example, you can''t go in and spend pocket change on postcards and get the tax free credit.

At the airport (in Stockholm, anyways. I''m not sure about the others) there is a tax refund counter. You bring your receipts and the store documentation with you. They give you an option of:
a) refund the tax in the country''s currency (last time I took Swedish Crowns)
or
b) refund it to your visa card.

I opted for the Visa card refund. It took about 3 months. In hindsight, I should have taken the swedish $$ and simply exchanged it at the bank when I got home. But would likely have lost $$ in the exchange.

LS

 

[LostSapphire]

ETA to previous:

Most of the tourism websites for each country give you this information. Just be prepared to not get all the tax back on all the things purchased.

Last time I was in Stockholm, I kind of cased out the the things I wanted, and also, the shops. Then I made sure they had a "Tax Free Sweden" sign in the window.

Becuase of the minimum purchase requirement (can''t remember what it was, about $100 comes to my mind), I tried to make all of my purchases at the same time where possible. That helped a lot.

Hope this helps.

good luck!