37 thoughts on “VAT Refund Rate In Europe”

1. Hi

   I’m still a bit confuse as many people tell me the best place to buy Chanel and LV is Paris. But I Noticed that Paris VAT refund is 12% but in Amsterdam, its tiered. If I’m purchasing a Chanel classic flap m/l and a couple of LV bags, the VAT refund is greater in Amsterdam than Paris. So its cheaper to get these bags in Amsterdam than in Paris, am i right to say this? I’ll be going to Paris and Ams in November, so much help needed. Thank you so much in advance:)

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   • Hi Linda, Paris is #1 place to shop due to the amount of stock and variety of styles. London is the #2 place to go. For outlets, go to Florence (but no Chanel). For the cheapest go the Heathrow airport when you fly away from the Euro countries.

     If you’re looking for a handbag that it’s not that famous or it’s known for excess supply, usually like the Speedy Bag, then go for the cheapest city. But most Chanel classic bags are limited available and usually Paris has the most stock.

     Yes, it’s cheaper to buy in Amsterdam. For example, the Classic Flap Bag is retailing for 4480 euro. With tax-refund, the new price in Amsterdam will be: 3838 euro. In Paris the price will be 3942 euro. So its slightly cheaper. This is tax-refund via credit card.

     But for the bag like the Chanel Classic Flap Bag, I would purchase wherever you find your style, because its hard to find.

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2. Hi Alex , I’m in dilemma of buying Chanel flap bag in Uk or Amsterdam or Belgium. I’m visiting them next week . Could u advice me which country would be the best for tax refund as in percentage and more worth it ?

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   • If you can purchase at the heathrow airport, then its there the cheapest (if you departure from there). If not, then either buy in Amsterdam or Belgium whenever you find your favorite style of bag. Here’s why:

     Both countries have limited stock. Let’s say you find the bag in Amsterdam, and you buy in Belgium because its cheaper. But the same bag could be sold-out in Belgium. In general Amsterdam and Belgium are about the same price and it’s cheaper than UK. (but the differences in savings are really minimal).

     Which bag do you want to buy? Let me see whether I can do a calculation.

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3. Hi there,

   If I pay for an item with ny credit card, can I request to be refunded in cash or does this only apply if the payment was made with cash?

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   • How you paid for the item and how you get tax-refund are two seperate things. You can always request for refund in cash.

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4. Hi Alex ,

   I was trying to find the Tax Refund receipt but unable to trace it . But I remembered the VAT claim affiliate tax company produce by Chanel, London is with Premier Tax. I could not recalled the affiliate tax company for Diorama in Italy though. Indeed it was really low, I checked after tax refund price that I got my Chanel in London, is was almost same price in Chanel, Malaysia.

   I am heading to Europe next month . As I mentioned initially I wanted to visit solely Italy but I have changed my plan .
   I will fly in to London , catch the next flight to Barcelona . I intend to buy Chanel boy (small) 2890 Euro, a Chanel cardholder 285 Euro and lastly Bylgari Serpenti Forever 1620 Euro . Please advise me on the tax refund .
   I will be flying out from Barcelona to London and stay another week in London before heading to my home country .
   Where should I do my tax refund ? In Barcelona El- Prat airport or in London Stansted Airport.

   Your guidance in claiming the best value for VAT is much appreciated . An unrelated question about tax , where will be the cheapest place to buy Chanel 2.55 ?

   Reply

   • Chanel boy (small) – 2890 Euro: this is the price for the mini boy not the small. Check for all the prices here: http://abbag.ru/131/chanel-bags-prices/

     For all your goods, I would just buy in Barcelona (but the stock there is limited). If you cannot find the goods, buy it in London.

     You need to do your tax-refund in London Stansted Airport because its your last stop. But the tax-refund amount will be based on the country where you’ve bought the goods. So for example, if you buy the mini boy bag in Barcelona and the cardholder in London, then at the Stansted airport, the mini boy bag will follow the tax rate of Spain and the cardholder from England.

     When you do the tax-refund, visit a few tax-refund counters including the Premier Tax but also Global Blue. Have them tell you how much tax-refund you will get. Then decide which one is the highest.

     If you mean where to buy the cheapest between London or Barcelona, then I would say Barcelona. But the differences are really small.

     Hope this helps!

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     • Alex thanks for the prompt reply , I hope that I could get my goods in Barcelona, Spain.

       Is my first time flying in and out through Stansted Airport, was wondering is there counters for VAT claim?

       For the Chanel 2.55 in my lust list, I am wondering where will be the cheapest place to purchase .

       Thanks for the guidance with the VAT claim, hope this time around all will go well.

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       • For the 2.55 Reissue I would recommend this:
         1. Know what leather, hardware and color you want. Whenever you find this bag, just buy it immediately. Why? Would your regret it if you find the exact type of bag you want in Barcelona and then you figured the size you want is sold-out in the UK?

         BTW, if you do not know which size you want, read more here: http://abbag.ru/131/chanel-bags-prices/

         2. Let’s say you’re looking for the Chanel Reissue 2.55 Bag in size 225 (equivalent size of the M/L Classic Flap Bag).

         This bag is priced at €4480 euro in Barcelona and £3990 GBP in the UK.

         After tax-refund (with credit card), the prices will be: €3795 in Barcelona and £3451 GBP in the UK. (source: https://abbag.ru/131/chanel-bag-prices-euro/).

         Now convert the £3451 GBP to euro = €3842 euro. As you can see, at this moment UK is a bit more expensive. But not that much.

         You should also know that Chanel is trying to harmonize the prices between the UK and Europe, meaning they’re trying to make the price differences between these two countries as minimum as possible.

         There is def. a tax-refund counter at Stansted Airport.

         Keep us updated =)

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5. Hi,
   I traveled to Amsterdam and then Paris, hence all vat refund i did at Paris Airport. The vat returned i received were much lesser, as the number of items were many and on the receipt its not mentioned what is for what. 3 eg, i bought a Gucci bag in Amsterdam total value 1499 euro (incl 258.60 euro), a Burberry and LV in Paris total value 1220 1995 euro (incl 201 332 euro) the max amount i recd per item were 215.46 euro, 186.25 euro and 130.84 euro.
   I’m unable to understand the calculation. Kindly guide me.

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6. Hi Alex, may i know if London Heathrow still sell Chanel Classic Flag Bag? Many thanks.

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   • Not the Classic Flap Bag (from the small size to maxi), read more here: https://abbag.ru/131/shopping-guide-to-chanel-heathrow-airport/

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