Hello,
Can anyone tell me how tax free shopping works? For example, I would like to purchase a bike in France. The salesman told me that it would be tax free. What does that exactly mean? Do I initially pay for the tax and get it back later? Is there paperwork that I must submit at the border? What if the customs office is closed at the border back into Switzerland?
I would really appreciate if someone can explain how this tax free procedure works.
Thanks so much in advance!
Forums in Geneva > Geneva > Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
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Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Sep 29, 2008 @ 18:58
The text you are quoting:
Hello,
Can anyone tell me how tax free shopping works? For example, I would like to purchase a bike in France. The salesman told me that it would be tax free. What does that exactly mean? Do I initially pay for the tax and get it back later? Is there paperwork that I must submit at the border? What if the customs office is closed at the border back into Switzerland?
I would really appreciate if someone can explain how this tax free procedure works.
Thanks so much in advance!
psyangSep 29, 2008 @ 18:58
Can anyone tell me how tax free shopping works? For example, I would like to purchase a bike in France. The salesman told me that it would be tax free. What does that exactly mean? Do I initially pay for the tax and get it back later? Is there paperwork that I must submit at the border? What if the customs office is closed at the border back into Switzerland?
I would really appreciate if someone can explain how this tax free procedure works.
Thanks so much in advance!
psyangSep 29, 2008 @ 18:58
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 1
Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:15
The Swiss Customs web site has it all. See the topic Tax-free shopping abroad for a summary or the information for private individuals sectin for details.
If you want to import a bike:
0) It's got to cost more than EUR 175 (See the Tax-free shopping section of the French Customs web site)
1) fill out the exportation papers with the seller (you'll need an ID) and pay the full price the bike (that is inclusive of VAT)
2) have the form stamped by French customs upon leaving the country
3) put it in a stamped envelope (which the seller normally gave you) and put it in a French a mailbox (There should be one at or near the customs office). Keep a copy for you.
4) pay the Swiss VAT (7.5%) + taxes if applicable (that's a small amount)
5) return to the seller with your stamped copy of the customs declaration and claim the French VAT (~20%).
If you want to import a bike:
0) It's got to cost more than EUR 175 (See the Tax-free shopping section of the French Customs web site)
1) fill out the exportation papers with the seller (you'll need an ID) and pay the full price the bike (that is inclusive of VAT)
2) have the form stamped by French customs upon leaving the country
3) put it in a stamped envelope (which the seller normally gave you) and put it in a French a mailbox (There should be one at or near the customs office). Keep a copy for you.
4) pay the Swiss VAT (7.5%) + taxes if applicable (that's a small amount)
5) return to the seller with your stamped copy of the customs declaration and claim the French VAT (~20%).
The text you are quoting:
The Swiss Customs web site has it all. See the topic Tax-free shopping abroad for a summary or the information for private individuals sectin for details.
If you want to import a bike:
0) It's got to cost more than EUR 175 (See the Tax-free shopping section of the French Customs web site)
1) fill out the exportation papers with the seller (you'll need an ID) and pay the full price the bike (that is inclusive of VAT)
2) have the form stamped by French customs upon leaving the country
3) put it in a stamped envelope (which the seller normally gave you) and put it in a French a mailbox (There should be one at or near the customs office). Keep a copy for you.
4) pay the Swiss VAT (7.5%) + taxes if applicable (that's a small amount)
5) return to the seller with your stamped copy of the customs declaration and claim the French VAT (~20%).
Free, Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:15
If you want to import a bike:
0) It's got to cost more than EUR 175 (See the Tax-free shopping section of the French Customs web site)
1) fill out the exportation papers with the seller (you'll need an ID) and pay the full price the bike (that is inclusive of VAT)
2) have the form stamped by French customs upon leaving the country
3) put it in a stamped envelope (which the seller normally gave you) and put it in a French a mailbox (There should be one at or near the customs office). Keep a copy for you.
4) pay the Swiss VAT (7.5%) + taxes if applicable (that's a small amount)
5) return to the seller with your stamped copy of the customs declaration and claim the French VAT (~20%).
Free, Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:15
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 2
Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:18
PS - be careful, France is no more always cheaper! Don't forget that if you need a repair under warranty, you'll have to go back to your seller.
The text you are quoting:
PS - be careful, France is no more always cheaper! Don't forget that if you need a repair under warranty, you'll have to go back to your seller.
Free, Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:18
Free, Oct 2, 2008 @ 01:18
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 3
Oct 8, 2008 @ 17:13
Regarding the Swiss Vat.... yes, you're supposed to paid tax when you bring this back to Switzerland... but it's theory...
Rémy
Rémy
The text you are quoting:
Regarding the Swiss Vat.... yes, you're supposed to paid tax when you bring this back to Switzerland... but it's theory...
Rémy
RemyS, Oct 8, 2008 @ 17:13
Rémy
RemyS, Oct 8, 2008 @ 17:13
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 4
Oct 18, 2010 @ 14:06
Hi,
Does anyone have experience of this?
We will be purchasing a mattress and the receipt includes the French Tax. Do we have to pay? Can we claim it back? We will be collecting it ourselves from the shop in France.
Thanks
The text you are quoting:
Hi,
Does anyone have experience of this?
We will be purchasing a mattress and the receipt includes the French Tax. Do we have to pay? Can we claim it back? We will be collecting it ourselves from the shop in France.
Thanks
fiorinic, Oct 18, 2010 @ 14:06
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 5
Oct 19, 2010 @ 17:49
I've done this on 2 occasions, buying skis and a bike in France and then bringing them back into CH. It's like Free says.
With the skis, the shop actually gave me the French VAT back in the shop when I took theh skis away - in cash even though I paid by credit card. I think this is unusual and was very trusting on his part. He gave me an envelope to send the stamped form back to him - he needs this to show that no VAT was due on this purchase. It really helped as it meant I didn't need to travel back to the Frech ski resort where I bought the skis. On this occasion, the Swiss customs charged me the Swiss VAT.
With the bike, I had to go back with the form to the French shop before I got the French VAT back. On the other hand, the Swiss customs didn't charge me the Swiss VAT. When I looked suitably puzzled, he just said "C'est Noel" (this was in May!). It was a Sunday and I suspect doing the paperwork was too much trouble for the relatively small amount it would bring to the Swiss tax coffers.
Hope this helps
The text you are quoting:
I've done this on 2 occasions, buying skis and a bike in France and then bringing them back into CH. It's like Free says.
With the skis, the shop actually gave me the French VAT back in the shop when I took theh skis away - in cash even though I paid by credit card. I think this is unusual and was very trusting on his part. He gave me an envelope to send the stamped form back to him - he needs this to show that no VAT was due on this purchase. It really helped as it meant I didn't need to travel back to the Frech ski resort where I bought the skis. On this occasion, the Swiss customs charged me the Swiss VAT.
With the bike, I had to go back with the form to the French shop before I got the French VAT back. On the other hand, the Swiss customs didn't charge me the Swiss VAT. When I looked suitably puzzled, he just said "C'est Noel" (this was in May!). It was a Sunday and I suspect doing the paperwork was too much trouble for the relatively small amount it would bring to the Swiss tax coffers.
Hope this helps
S99_Geneva, Oct 19, 2010 @ 17:49
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 6
May 7, 2011 @ 23:10
Hi,
Does anyone have experience of this?
We will be purchasing a mattress and the receipt includes the French Tax. Do we have to pay? Can we claim it back? We will be collecting it ourselves from the shop in France.
Thanks
Oct 18, 10 14:06
Hi Florinic,
I am thinking of the same_buying a mattress (e.g. memory foam) in France ( the price might be much cheaper there and plus the tax refund). Could you please share with me which shop did you go and how was the duty free procedure? And do they offer dilivery service and if no, how to collect it from France? many thanks in advance.
Selena
The text you are quoting:
Hi Florinic,
I am thinking of the same_buying a mattress (e.g. memory foam) in France ( the price might be much cheaper there and plus the tax refund). Could you please share with me which shop did you go and how was the duty free procedure? And do they offer dilivery service and if no, how to collect it from France? many thanks in advance.
Selena
selenauk H, May 7, 2011 @ 23:10
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 7
May 18, 2011 @ 10:52
Hi,
We brought our mattress from out near Annemasse:
http://www.halleausommeil.fr/annemasse
We found the service very good and a lady there speaks English.
They do delivery but we chose to pick it up ourselves and strp it to the roof of the car (they provide straps to borrow).
We filled out the tax form inthe shop and then stopped at customs on the French side to get the form stamped. We then drove onto the Swiss border with it still onthe roof and was waved through by customs. We were prepared to stop to go into the customs office but the value of our purchase was just below the tax free threshold.
A few days later we returned to the mattress shop with our stamped form and got given the refund in cash. It was simple and easy to do. I think you have 1 year to return to the shop for the refund.
The text you are quoting:
Hi,
We brought our mattress from out near Annemasse:
http://www.halleausommeil.fr/annemasse
We found the service very good and a lady there speaks English.
They do delivery but we chose to pick it up ourselves and strp it to the roof of the car (they provide straps to borrow).
We filled out the tax form inthe shop and then stopped at customs on the French side to get the form stamped. We then drove onto the Swiss border with it still onthe roof and was waved through by customs. We were prepared to stop to go into the customs office but the value of our purchase was just below the tax free threshold.
A few days later we returned to the mattress shop with our stamped form and got given the refund in cash. It was simple and easy to do. I think you have 1 year to return to the shop for the refund.
fiorinic, May 18, 2011 @ 10:52
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Re: Duty Free/Tax Free Shopping in France
Post 8
May 21, 2011 @ 14:19
Hi,
We brought our mattress from out near Annemasse:
http://www.halleausommeil.fr/annemasse
We found the service very good and a lady there speaks English.
They do delivery but we chose to pick it up ourselves and strp it to the roof of the car (they provide straps to borrow).
We filled out the tax form inthe shop and then stopped at customs on the French side to get the form stamped. We then drove onto the Swiss border with it still onthe roof and was waved through by customs. We were prepared to stop to go into the customs office but the value of our purchase was just below the tax free threshold.
A few days later we returned to the mattress shop with our stamped form and got given the refund in cash. It was simple and easy to do. I think you have 1 year to return to the shop for the refund.
May 18, 11 10:52
Hi Florinic, Thanks a lot for the detailed and very useful information. I am going there today and hopefully we could also buy a bed there. Have nice weekend!
The text you are quoting:
Hi Florinic, Thanks a lot for the detailed and very useful information. I am going there today and hopefully we could also buy a bed there. Have nice weekend!
selenauk H, May 21, 2011 @ 14:19
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