Don't make these mistakes! VAT TAX Do's and Don'ts in Germany (EU) for Refund! | luxuryinModeration

The Germany Vat Tax Refund process is so much more complex than when I did it in Italy! Make sure you don't make the same mistakes I did!

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[joannaguah]

I had the same experience in Frankfurt airport.

Basically, if you have the item in your luggage, you have to check-in then get the tax counter outside to check your items/stamp your papers before you drop off your checkin baggage/drop your papers in box.

If you have the item in carryon, then you check in, and clear customs. After you clear customs, then you look for the tax counter inside n proceed with the same process; queue to show your items/stamp your papers/drop it in global blue box.

If you didnt do any of these before your flight, i dont think you can get your VAT back.

Eventhough the refund tax is on your card, they will charge you extra on top of the tax amount that was previously returned on your card.

By the way, i did arrive at the airport 3-4hrs earlier, but there was a long queue n if its lunch hour, only 1 counter will be open.

Anyway, good news was that if you didnt manage to get your VAT back during the trip, you have 6mths to return to the EU to get your papers stamped. And if you cant go back in 6months to get your VAT papers stamped, you can visit the german embassy in your country to try and get back your VAT, but through this process, the embassy will charge you for the paperworks done to get your papers stamps and then you have to send your papers to germany global blue to get you tax back. Its complicated but do-able.
I recommend unless its a really big ticket item where your tax refund is in the thousands before attempting this method. Perhaps, if you bought a rolex watch. If not its just not worth the effort n the money.

I hope this helps someone out there who might be in a similar situation. 😀

[jiyamulani]

In germany airports, if u tell them ur purchases r in checked in luggage, u need to get ur boarding passes then show ur purchase n check the bags in through a separate counter which is meant for those passengers who need to show their purchases n keep inside their checked luggages. For example you wont be handcarrying a moncler jacket that is newly purchased or a rimova luggage that you need tax refund on. They still need to see ur purchases. So what we need to show receipts then the officer will randomly ask to see few things, u need to make sure all have their boxes n paperbags.. then after customs chk, we throw all boxes and put the items into the luggage n check it in. Ur bags need to already be tagged by airline.

[NzePriddie]

The process in Germany sounds very logical. All passengers should arrive at their airport of departure 3-4 hrs or more before their departing flight, especially when claiming VAT refund because of the possibility of extra long lines .

[sinbatsiraseranant]

This also happened to me 10 years ago when I was leaving the Munich airport. Had to go through security after speaking with the Global Blue prior to security. Showed the Vuitton to them after security to get the form stamped.

[yvankavela]

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I always travel via the Frankfurt Airport at least twice a year. If you say your items are in your check in, the customs officer before the immigrations will still ask you to see it. So you would not have skipped any steps had you said that. Sometimes I wear/ have used the items and they don’t mind that it’s not in the original packaging.

I’m shocked that you say they send you to a random gate at the Berlin and Munich Airport. In Frankfurt the Global Blue counters are strategically placed before the check in (for those with items in their check in luggages) and immediately after the immigration ( for those with items in their hand carry) for each terminal. Unfortunately in theory you still have to show all the items especially if they’re designer. But there are times wherein I encounter officers who don’t check the items I bought from stores like Adidas.

I hope you still get your refund!

[jakartacoffeeweekchampions]

I hv a nightmare in frankfurt.. i carry on my loewe and i alredy get a stamp at the kiosk after the immigration, then i ady give to the global blue KIOSK RIGHT AFTER.. BUT SHE DIDNT GIVE ME ANY RECIPT LIKE GLOBAL BLUR OR PLANET KIOSK ON THE CHECKIN.. my tax now hv been reversed from my credit card. I do email them nut still slow response and i think its hopless since i didnt hv any photo proof… tbh EU tax refund sucks, singapore system much better.. if anyone had same experiance pls share.. i need ur experiance..

[luxdoclee]

You seem to have had quite the frustrating experience. However it is standard practice to get the custom stamp or clearance via automated kiosks either pre security for items in checked baggage and post security for carry-on items- at the last port of exit from the EU. Which would have been Munich in your case. Perhaps if you had handed your form to global blue it would’ve elimated the extra hassle

[bfkueig]

Does Munich airport tax refund give cash

[Dennym]

I moved to Germany to help my ailing oma. Im an American that gave up my 20 year career as a nurse to move to Germany. Let me just say the bureaucracy here is a NIGHTMARE NOBODY HAS THE ANSWER TO ASSIST YOU. EVERYONE SAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO STAY TO HELP MY OMA I CAN ONLY STAY IF I WORK. SO I F
GOT A JOB THEN I WAS TOLD THAT JOB IS NOT ALLOWED I MUST FIND ANOTHER JOB THANK GOD I GOT A JOB IN A SENIOR CENTER. IM 99% SURE WHEN MY FAMILY PASSES IM MOVING BACK TO THE USA. ITS A DIFFERENT WORLD OVER HERE. AS A GAY MAN ITS TOO UNSAFE TO STAY HERE

[xvzhths]

Do they give the tax refund in cash at Munich airport ?

[premeyumlife]

Oye sounds like a hassle my lady. No shopping in Europe for me. 😅😘😘😘Sandy

[sabineeliskases]

sounds so much like German Bureaucracy😅 Everyone has their role and they stick to it😅😅😅

[xvzhths]

Hi, we just had a nightmare experiance at Bordeaux France airport, all our receipts to claim tax was in cash and they didn’t know how to do them at global exchange, so we were asked to put all in mail box, it was in thousands with Dior products mainly, it’s been 4 weeks no response yet, since you travel I want to ask how is Geneva airport 6ax refund process, because after watching yiur video I am definitely not going to Munich … we enter Spain and from there go to the next destination.
Thanks