How Do I Claim My VAT Refund If I Am Taking the Train to London?

Thank you so much! an Enthusiastic Follower!

Dear Enthusiastic Follower:

If you make purchases while visiting Paris and wish to submit the form for a VAT refund but are not traveling through the Charles de Gaulle airport, there are a few options but they must be done before leaving France assuming you are going to the UK.

• Obtain a cash refund from the store you made purchases if they provide that service;
• Submit the tax refund documents received from the store to the customs desk or at a kiosk that can be found at all train stations
• Many shoppers discover that one of the only places outside the airports and train stations to receive an instant tax refund is at Galleries Lafayette. As long as you’ve spend more than 100 euros you may request a tax refund.
• At the airports in the EU, the self service kiosks and Detaxe customs desk is located before you enter the area for security and before you check your luggage.
• After submitting your VAT refund forms upon exiting France or another EU country, it typically takes approximately a week to receive your refund on your credit card. In some instances a refund can take as long several months but this is not the norm.
• If you leave the EU without submitting your VAT refund forms at the point of exit, it will be necessary to mail your documents to a tax refund office such as the Detaxe SAS, Global Blue France, or Detaxe.com.
• Be aware that a fee is taken from the amount you are refunded. Typically you will receive approximately 10-12% as a VAT refund. The amount varies per store and per company that processes the refund. If you request a cash refund, a larger fee is typically taken.

Read:

Travel Tips From Paris: Hermès Prices, VAT, and Customs

How It Works: VAT Refunds and Customs Duties

VAT and Customs Procedures