Allow Time If You’re Claiming Your VAT Tax Refund at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:
Although, we did all our shopping in Italy, Amsterdam was our final port of exit from the EU and this was where we had to have our VAT refund processed. This was good as it gave us the opportunity to check out the practical aspects of claiming VAT refund at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Except for minor variations, the VAT tax refund procedures are pretty much the same anywhere in the EU:
Option A.
If you have done a lot of shopping and prefer to pack your shopping into your check-in luggage, you will need to do your VAT refund before checking in your luggage and going through passport control. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1 – Get your Tax Free Validation Stamp
The Customs Tax Free Validation desk is now in Departure Hall 3, next to check-in desks 29 and 30. If your check-in is in Departure Halls 1 or 2, I suggest that you confirm the location of the Tax Free Validation Desk with the Airport Information Desk first before walking to Departure Hall 3.
- You must get your tax-free form stamped by Customs (no Customs stamp, no refund!)
- You must have your goods with you (they do random checks)
- You must show your passport and travel itinerary (unlike in Rome, you are not required to show your boarding pass here)
I’ve been told by one of our readers that the desk is closed at night (between 22:00 – 6:00), however there is a phone number to call at night and someone will come within minutes to assist you with the tax free validation.
Step 2 – Do Your Airline Check-in
Once you’ve had your tax refund form stamped you can proceed to do your airline check-in and deposit your luggage (with the goods checked in) .
Step 3 – Get Your Tax Refund
If your Tax-free forms are from Global Blue –
- There is a Global Blue desk just next to Tax Free Validation Desk. A supervisor will check your stamped form and receipts and ask if you want cash or a credit to your credit card. I suggest that you go for cash as you get your refund immediately and there’s no possibility of any kind of debit to your credit card later on. Once he has checked your documents, he will pass you on to the cashiers for payment.
Note: this procedure takes time as well – since the queue of people at the Customs validation desk find their way here.
If your Tax-free forms are from Premier Tax Free –
- You can get your cash payment at Travelex. (Note: Cash refunds were previously available through ABN-Amro, but it appears that Premier now uses Travelex. Travelex operating hours are between 06:00-20:30. If anyone has used the Travelex for their cash refund, I’d appreciate it if you could let me know if there is anything to be aware of.)
Unfortunately, if you have forms from both Global Blue and Premier Tax Free, you will need to go through the procedure separately.
Option B.
If you only have small or valuable items that you intend to hand-carry, you can process your VAT refund after going through passport control. The Customs tax free validation desk and Global Blue desk are to the right, immediately past the Passport Control. The procedure is the same as described in Option A above. If you can hand-carry your purchases, this appears to be the preferred way to get your VAT refund as there are less people doing it this way. When we went through Passport Control, we saw only one lady getting her VAT refund processed.
Allow Time
If you have VAT refund to claim at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, make sure that you allow time for this. There are only two Customs validation officers on duty and all you need is for someone with complications to hold up the process and you could be waiting a long time, which was what happened to us. It took us about 45 minutes just to get the Customs stamp and cash refund. If there is a tour group in the queue, that will also take time if you’re unlucky to be standing behind them. The Customs officers do scrutinize your forms and receipts and we have seen them asking certain individuals to show their goods.
Information on the Tax Free Validation desk location and procedures can change from time to time and we rely on our readers to provide us with any updates. If you’ve recently been through Schiphol Airport and have updated information, please leave a comment here.
Things to do in Amsterdam
JGP says
Is the Customs Tax Free Validation Desk and the cashier open 24 hours? What if I arrive in the evening, it would mean that I have to forfeit the refund because they are not open?
Helen Page says
According to vatfree.com, the Customs offices are open from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The following is further advice provided by vatfree.com: “if the Customs office is closed or busy, call +31 88 – 15 83 900. An officer will come down to stamp your purchase receipts or open up an extra desk in departure hall 3. You can also get a Customs stamp in your home country upon arrival.”
Good luck with your VAT,
Helen
Catherine Choong says
Customs office closed on 31/12/22 at Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol. Please advise how do I contact the Dutch Customs directly to get the export stamps on the forms. Can I get all tax free forms a customs stamp in my home country, as I’m back to Malaysia in Jan 2023?
Helen Page says
Hi Catherine,
Some EU embassies do provide the service of stamping your VAT refund documents, but they charge a fee. You might want to give the Dutch Embassy in KL a call and see what they say.
Alternatively, you can phone Belastingdienst, the Dutch Customs and ask them.
https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/en/contact-customs/content/customs-information-line
Good luck,
Helen Page
JGP says
The last time I arrived in Amsterdam it was before 10pm but it seems the office and the cashier is already closed because there was no one. In effect I wasn’t able to claim the refund. I didn’t know that I can get it stamped in my home country. Is this applicable to any country? Lets say that it was stamped in my home country, where should I send it to?
Thank you very much for your reply.
Helen Page says
Usually merchants who participate in the tax-free shopping program will use one of the following vat refund companies such as Global Blue, Premier Tax Free or Vatfree.com. If you have a tax cheque (form) from one of these companies, you will need to send your stamped documents to that company. The shop normally gives you a self-addressed envelope to send your stamped documents back.
If you are regularly travelling to Amsterdam and arriving late in the evening you may wish to look at the services of vatfree.com. Read their FAQ and it explains how they assist travellers in claiming the VAT and what they charge for their service and where the tax receipts should be sent to. As ;long as you are a non-EU resident you are eligible to claim VAT refund.
https://www.vatfree.com/en/for-travelers#en-faq-stampedreceipts
According to Vatfree.com you can have your documents stamped in your home country. If you have any concerns, you can email them directly at support@vatfree.com to check on your particular country.
Remember always to make copies of your documents before sending as things do go missing in the mail.
Kind regards,
Helen
Sunil Patidar says
Hi,
Is it mandatory to avail the services of the vat refund companies such as Global Blue, Premier Tax Free or Vatfree.com?
Also will they charge money if you do all processes on your own and just have a form of their company ?
Thanks
Sunil
Helen Page says
Hi Sunil,
Global Blue, Premier Tax Free and Vatfree.com are in the business of processing VAT refunds and although they charge a fee, you are sure to get your VAT refund if you follow the process, i.e. getting the Customs stamp.
I’m not sure how you intend to “do all processes on your own”, but if you’ve got a VAT refund form from one of these three companies, you need to send it back to the one you got it from. That’s why you have people complaining about having to queue twice because they’ve got forms from two separate companies. Global Blue can’t process Premier Tax Free forms or vice versa.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Sunil Patidar says
Thanks for your reply.
My query is that why do we need the help of these companies ? Is there any process where we can get the tax refund without paying fees to Global Blue/Vatfree?
Thanks,
Sunil
Roberto says
You can do Vat refunds on your own but you need the help of the retailer who sold you the goods. In that case you need to send your stamped receipt back to the retailer who can then get a tax refund and transfer the money to your account. Advantage is that this gives you a full tax refund, but not all retailers will do this and it will take more time. Personally I have only done this twice and prefer to use the mentioned services as it is much faster.
Capt. says
“The Customs tax free validation desk and Global Blue desk are to the right, immediately past the Passport Control”.
There are several passport controls. Therefore I was searching for some time to find the custom desk.
The correct location is at the beginning of the F-Gates.
Kind regards
Capt.
Antoine says
Hi,
I am Antoine from Suriname. I am intended to visit holland for 3 weeks vacation later this year.
The stuff I will buy are kitchen appliances the most. These i will use for my home.
Since i wont travel with these items during my flight, i emailed the shop about it.
(i will ship the by boat)
They say that if i come with the right documents, the will give me the 0% btw on the items.
Do you have any idea which documents and where i can get them.
(besides my paspoort, my schengen visa and my ticket).
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Antoine
Vitor says
Hi.
Is it mandatory to have a form from Global True, or any other company?
I bought several expensive items from a store that could not give me this kind of form. Does that mean that I cannot have the refund for those items?
Thanks, Vitor
Chang says
Thank you so much!
It is very useful!
Helen Page says
Most welcome.
Aliya says
Could you advise me e-mail address of customs office in Shiphol airport? I received letter from global blue, they send me the scanned copy of tax free form. They asked me to get confirmation from customs, because the stamp is not not visible. Thanks in advance
Helen Page says
Hi Aliya, I don’t have the email address of Customs at Schiphol, however their phone number is +31 (0)20 – 3164700.
Good luck,
farrukh umair says
i submitted my form at global blue office at schipol via credit card…while leaving (,didnot know if tax return facility iss available by cash also.)
some lady came while i was in queue ad ask me ,if i have a credit card , i said yes so she helped me in filling the form and staple the receipts along with it …Now after reading this blog i understand i have chosen a return via my credit card.
do u have any idea ,how many days they take to give me that tax return money in my account ..or any website where i shold contact.??
Ivan says
Hi Aliya,
I have residency in EU and Non-EU country at the same time. Will it be possible to get VAT return in my case?
Thank You.
Ivan says
Helen, sorry.
Nick says
Hi Helen,
We only have one hour layover in Armsterdam. Will we have time to process our four items to process our tax refund? Will i be able to get my refund in Vienna? We travel from Vienna, stop over in Armsterdam to San Francisco (USA).
Thanks,
Nick
Helen Page says
Hi Nick,
If you only have one hour layover in Amsterdam, you should try and process your tax refund in Vienna. If you are packing your purchases in your luggage and checking your bags through to San Francisco, they should allow you to process in Vienna.
As you can see from my post above, it took me 45 minutes at Schiphol.
Kind regards,
Helen
Joey Hong says
Dear author,
thank you for the information. I did as per indicated and all went well.
However, good to add on that PREMIER TAX do not issue EURO in cash after 1700hrs. As the Euro cash counter closes at 1700hrs and only USD & RMB options are available for cash refund. just fyi.
Helen Page says
Hi Joey, I’m glad to hear that you got your tax refund without any problems. Thanks for your additional information about the Euro cash not being available from Premier Tax after 17:00. It’s a bit bizarre since the base currency in Amsterdam is the Euro and not USD.
By the way, did you claim your Premier Tax refund from the ABN-AMRO. I was just interested to know what time they close?
Kind regards,
Helen
Hani says
Hi Helen,
thanks for your information 🙂
I am student in Amsterdam currently (since Sept 2013), but I am going back to Indonesia this September. Is it possible for me to get tax refund, as I wanna buy camera in Media Markt tomorrow.
thanks and regards
Hani
Helen Page says
Hi Hani,
You may wish to give Customs a call on 088 – 158 34 56 to be sure.
Kind regards,
Helen
yessie says
is to get stamp at premiere tax refund always take time? the queing very long? and where the location is at schippol airport? i know the global blue location , is premiere next to global blue?
Jane says
Hi Helen,
I would be travelling around Italy for September and October and Paris on November and will leave Paris on the last week of November. I most probably will shop at these places. Should you suggest that i get my tax refund on every destination or get it at my last stopover which is at Amsterdam (5 hours lay over from Paris). How should i process it if i check in my baggage from Paris? Am i allowed to get the stuffs from the checked in baggage during the 5 hour stop over to have it checked by the customs? Any info would greatly help. Thank You!
Helen Page says
Hi Jane,
You can only claim VAT refund at the last port before leaving the EU which for you is Paris.
If your airline ticket is for Paris-Singapore, for example, your bag will be checked all the way to Singapore (assuming this is your end destination) and as such you will not be able to access your bag in Amsterdam. Customs in Paris will want proof that you are leaving the EU so you will need to show your boarding pass for your onward trip from Amsterdam.
Kind regards,
Helen
Ermis says
I will leave EU within two months. I have bought some items. I keep the tickets and of course the items. My question is. Do I have to ask some paper at the shops where I bought the items to be able to get the tax free (in cash ) at the airport or it is enough with the tickets. In the past I bought in mediamark and they gave me a form and I got the tax free without any problem. Do I have to do this in any shop I buy something?.
Thanks
Helen Page says
Ermis,
As it says in the post above, you must have a tax-free form (supplied by the shop you bought from) and this must be stamped by Customs. No stamped tax-free form = No refund.
Regards,
Helen
RUK says
According to VAT refund the amount to be refunded is 21% of the purchase made in Holland
amounting to minimum of 50 Euros.
During my visit to Holland in September 2014. I bought Samsung GT-S7390 mobile telephone for Euros 109 from Media Markt, Groningen.
I got the VAT tax refund form of Global Blue from Media Markt and the refund amount
printed in this form was 12 Euros. I thought with 21% refund it should
have been Euros 22.89
I got the cash refund at Global Blue Counter, Schipol Airport, while
returning back to my country and 3 Euros were cut from the refunded amount
again and I got only 9 Euros back.
What is the service fee of Global Blue? and what other charges were minus
from my refunded amount?
Kindly reply for which I shall be grateful. Thanks.
Helen Page says
Hi Ruk,
According to the Global Blue VAT calculator, your refund of 12 Euros is correct and in the case of CASH refund a handling fee (3 EUR) is charged for each Tax Free Form.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/tax-free-shopping/refund-calculator/
The Euros 109 you paid for your mobile phone is inclusive of VAT so your calculation of 109 x 21% is incorrect.
As VAT refund calculation is not so straightforward, I suggest that you contact Global Blue directly and they’ll be able to tell you definitively how the Euros 12 is arrived at.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
Best regards,
Helen
Lam says
Dear Helen
I am going to travel to Italy, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam during the Christmas. Am i allow to get tax refund if i shop in these cities and leave at the Schipol Airport? thanks a lot!
Helen Page says
Hello Lam,
Yes you will be able to claim your VAT refund for your shopping in those countries you mentioned above. If you are leaving the EU from Schiphol, then that’s where you’ll have your VAT refund processed. Remember to allow plenty of time as the service can be quite slow there. And if you have tax refund forms from Global Blue and Premier Tax Free for instance, then you’ll have to queue twice.
I always prefer to get my refund in cash so that there’s no possibility of any charge back to my credit card. If you prefer the credit card option, I would suggest taking photos of your forms in case of any later disputes. But the officials at Schiphol Airport seem to be rather good. They check everything thoroughly so if there’s anything missing with your claim, you should know there and then.
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful Christmas shopping holiday. All the best to you for the festive season.
Kind regards,
Helen
celine says
Dear Helen,
On my visit to Europe I purchased jewelry in Amsterdam. Yesterday I flew back to China through Schiphol. The Global blue counter before the Customs (Douane) told me they couldn’t give me the custom stamp. So after check-in I immediately went to the global blue-desk. The guy sitting looked first at the invoice and the tax form, but then said that I should get the stamp in my home country once upon arrival. What does this means? I never heard anything like this before. He even didn’t wanted to look at the jewelry. I started being so mad and told him his colleague said I should go here, but he refused and told me that only his decision counts. Due time I had to catch my flight and now I don’t have any custom stamp.
Is there another way in which I can collect the tax?
Gr.
Celine
Helen Page says
Hi Celine,
If you purchased jewelry in Amsterdam and flew back to China from Schiphol, there’s no reason why you should not be able to have your VAT refund processed at Schiphol. One point I need to clarify is that the Customs stamp is provided by the Dutch Customs Office and not Global Blue. Global Blue can only process your refund if you have the required Customs stamp. If you look at the photo above, taken at Schiphol Airport, you should have seen signs indicating “Tax Free Validation – Customs”.
The Global Blue guy you spoke to after check-in should have referred you to the Customs desk to obtain your stamp. It’s possible that there was no Customs officer on duty at the time and hence the reason to ask you to get the stamp in your home country. In any case, he should have explained the situation to you more clearly.
What you can do now is contact your nearest Dutch consulate or embassy in China and ask their assistance in providing you the stamp. Once you obtain the stamp, you can mail the Tax Refund Cheque and invoices to Global Blue with a note explaining that you were not able to get a stamp at Schiphol. You would have been given a Global Blue Reply Paid Envelope by the shop you bought your jewelry from.
Before you send your documents to Global Blue, I suggest you make copies of your documents, just in case they go missing.
I hope the above is clear and good luck in getting your VAT refund.
Kind regards,
Helen
celine says
Thanks for your reply.
I’m sorry, I didn’t tell my story clear. After check-in I obtain the Custom stamp and a paraph. But there is another stamp (on the Custom-stamp) written like this: ‘Alleen deze stempel kan niet niet voldoende voor teruggaaf BTW’. This means that the stamp is cannot be used for VAT refund. The worker told me I could get another stamp at arrival, but after arrival I asked at the airport in China for a stamp but they said they didn’t know anything about this kind of procedure. They also couldn’t help me. So the problem is now: where should I obtain the next (custom) stamp to claim my VAT back? Is there a import-stamp? The goods are now imported and not a export-good anymore. This morning I called the Custom of Schiphol airport, but they told me to write a letter to the complaints-department of the custom at the airport. I feel like I’m sended back and forth, bc they don’t want to refund the VAT to me (…)
Gr.
Celine
Helen Page says
Celine,
I’ve never come across any situation where you have to obtain more than one Custom stamp. The translation of ‘Alleen deze stempel kan niet niet voldoende voor teruggaaf BTW’ implies that the stamp alone is not enough for VAT refund, i.e. there are other conditions attached.
Since you appear to have obtained your Customs stamp, I suggest that you phone or email Global Blue and get their advice on what you need to do. You should scan your tax form with the Customs Stamp and invoices so that you can send these to them when asked.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
Kind regards,
Helen
KS Chua says
Hi Helen,
If my country of departure is in Switzerland? And i have made purchase in Amsterdam, my last EU country is Germany, how can I get tax refund? I will be traveling by train.
Thanks
Helen says
Hi Chua,
If you’re crossing from Germany into Switzerland by train, ask the conductor or ticket inspector if the train will be stopping at the German/Swiss border and if it’s possible to get a Customs stamp then.
If not, when you get home you can ask the Dutch consulate (or any EU consulate) to stamp your VAT form for you and then mail the forms back to Global Blue or whichever tax refund agency you have documents from.
Before you send in any documents, please make copies of them just in case things go missing by mail. You will at least have the document ID and receipts with which to do any followups.
Unfortunately, Switzerland is not in the EU and the Swiss Customs cannot verify your EU VAT refund documents. I myself have to see if the process works as we crossed from Germany into Switzerland by road last month on a Sunday and the Customs desk at the border was closed.
Kind regards,
Helen
Gowrishankar says
Hey. Is there a certain time period before which you can claim the VAT?
I bought a laptop in late 2013, but would like to claim VAT when I fly back to India. Does anyone know if it is possible?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers!
Helen Page says
Hi Gowrishankar,
1. Goods purchased must be unused to qualify for VAT refund. No doubt your laptop which was bought in late 2013, was used over the past year.
2. The VAT form must be duly stamped by Customs within 3 months following the month when the Form was issued. You’ve exceeded that period.
Based on your information, you’ll not be able to claim VAT refund for your laptop.
Kind regards,
Helen
oren says
Hi there,
i am intended to travel to London, leave to Brussels and continue to Amsterdam,
finally coming back home to Israel Via Istanbul.
i will make all of my shopping in london,
How do i get my Tax refunds?
Can i get it “on spot in Sciphol” or should i just stamp customs and deliver my receipts to the stores by myself?
thanks,
Oren.
Helen Page says
Hi Oren,
Yes you can get your VAT refund on the spot in Schiphol, but do allow time just in case there are queues. Personally, I prefer having it processed there and then as mail can go missing and it’s always more difficult trying to chase up matters when you’re not there.
Kind regards,
Helen
Manuel says
Hi,
I’ve purchased some goods at H&M in den Haag end I note that they didn’t stamp (tax-free) I went there and asked way coz I noted that all the other stores did, they said that in their case wasn’t necessary……..I’m reading all the comments and now I’m really worried……..
Do I have a reason to be. Does anyone had the same experience as me?
Helen Page says
Hi Manuel,
Firstly, I must point out that not all retailers are VAT-registered businesses (the bigger ones usually are) and those that are usually have a sign in their shop window advertising tax-free shopping.
What you need from H&M is a “Tax Refund Cheque” and these days this ‘cheque’ is mostly generated from the cash till machine. It is a long thin strip of paper with the words Tax Refund Cheque on it. You have to record your passport number and residential address on this form. There is no “stamp” that says tax free as you mentioned abov.
To be eligible for VAT refund, the retailer would normally ask to see your passport or ID to prove that you’re not an EU resident. They will also usually provide you with an envelope from Global Blue, Premier Tax Free or whichever VAT refund agency they’re working with so that you can mail your VAT claim if you don’t have time at the airport.
Check the receipt that H&M provided you and see if you have something that says Tax Refund Cheque. If not go back and see them again and bring along your passport.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
sarita says
I got camera from japan, but i paid tax here in Netherlands, i dont have anything except of that tax receipt. So i would like to ask if i can apply for the tax refund when i go back to my country or not??
Helen Page says
Sarita,
The EU VAT refund system is for goods purchased within the EU by non-EU residents. As your camera was bought from Japan, you’ll not be entitled to a VAT refund. Your Japanese retailer is not an EU VAT-registered business and therefore not able to issue you a Tax Refund Cheque which is what you’ll need to make your claim. Also, to be eligible for VAT refund, your camera must be unused and exported within 3 months of purchase.
Regards,
Helen Page
Sunita says
Hello Helen,
I have bought very expensive things online, and I an going back to my home country next month.
And I want to claim the tax refund at the airport with my receipt.
How can I do it?
Helen Page says
Sunita,
You must firstly have the tax refund forms or tax free cheques from the retailers that you bought goods from and these have to be stamped by Customs. Not all retailers participate in the tax refund scheme and usually goods bought online are not eligible for the refund scheme. An ordinary shop receipt does not qualify. If the shops you bought from are in the Netherlands you may wish to ask them if they can provide you with the tax refund forms.
Regards,
Helen Page
ALow says
Hi Helen
Thanks for your informative post. I just wanted to let you know that ABN Amro no longer provides refunds for Premier. You have no choice but to drop it into a box as there are no other counters available. Just hope it doesn’t get lost!
Helen Page says
Hi Audra,
Thank you for letting me know about ABN Amro no longer providing cash refunds for Premier. I’ve checked their website and it appears that they now use Travelex.
If you’ve dropped your claim in their box, it should in theory not get lost, but I hope that you did make a copy of your forms so that you can followup online in case it “goes missing” in their system.
I would be interested in knowing if and when you get your payment.
Kind regards,
Helen
MC says
Helen,
Thanks for all the info shared above. It was very useful!
I purchased bags from Venice and am leaving Italy via Amsterdam to the United States.
My flight leaves at 6:30 am from Italy and only has one hour and 20 minutes layover at Amsterdam. Given that the Italian global blue office is not open at 6:30 am and i bearly have enough time to do tax refund at Amsterdam, when do you advise me to do?
Also, if I want to try my luck at Amsterdam, do I need to exit the security, get the custom stamp, get the refund from the global blue desk, and re-enter security?? That seems troublesome. Is there an easier route where I don’t have to exit and re-enter?
Thanks again!
MC
Helen Page says
Hi MC,
Which airport are your leaving Italy from Venice Marco Polo or Rome Fiumicino?
Regards,
Helen
Kingsley says
Helen,
Please I want to ask how to go about it.Am travelling to lagos via Frankfurt from
Amsterdam and they said I can stamp the duty free cheque at the final port of exit from EU.What do I do as I must have checked in in Amsterdam and the luggages can only come in Lagos as final destination.Please advice.
Regards
Helen Page says
Hi Kingsley,
If you are just having a short stopover in Frankfurt and your airline ticket is for Amsterdam-Lagos, they will allow you to do your VAT Refund at Schiphol since your checked bag (and shopping) will be going all the way to Lagos. Customs will want to see your airline ticket and boarding passes to check that you’re actually leaving the EU from Amsterdam. From your comment above, this seems to be your situation.
However, if you have two separate airline tickets, i.e. Amsterdam-Frankfurt on one carrier and Frankfurt to Lagos on a different carrier, they will not process your VAT in Amsterdam. In this scenario you will be retrieving your bag in Frankfurt to check in for your next flight to Lagos. In this case, Frankfurt is is your point of exit and you will need to do your VAT claim here. Sometimes travellers do this by buying a budget flight for the European sector and then separate ticket for the main flight. So if you have two tickets like this, then Frankfurt is considered your final point of exit.
Hope the above helps,
Regards,
Helen
Josie says
Dear Helen,
I really need your suggestions for my below questions:
1. In order to avoid the long queue at the Sciphol’s VAT refund, can I come earlier to claim it? (for example: one or two days before my departure date)
2. I’ve purchased some goods at eurofleur and at some small shops and they reached more than ∈50 each bill. But I didnt get anything else then the payment receipt. What should I do? Can I go back to those stores another day or it should be on the same day?
Thank you so much before.
Regards,
Josie
Helen Page says
Hi Josie,
1. To claim your VAT refund, you (and your goods) must be leaving the EU, so it’s not possible to do it in advance of your departure. At Schiphol you can do your VAT claim before checking in for your flight, so I suggest that you go to the airport earlier and give yourself plenty of time.
2. It is not compulsory for companies to participate in the VAT refund scheme and you’ll find that the smaller retailers don’t offer this service. For those that do, you’ll usually see the Tax Free Shopping logo in their shop window. You can go back to the stores that you bought from and ask them if they do the VAT refund form for you. Bring along your passport when you do this.
If you’re doing any more shopping in Amsterdam, check with the shop first before you make your purchase.
Kind regards,
Helen
Josie says
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your helpful reply.
More questions:
1. My plane will leave NL at 20.45 pm. Will the Global Blue office and custom office still open? Do you know their opening hours?
2. If you were me, what time will you arrive at the airport?
Thank you so much before.
Warm regards,
Josie
Helen Page says
Hi Josie,
Below link to Global Blue website shows that their office in Departure 3 closes at 8:30 pm so you should be fine for Customs and Global Blue.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/tax-free-shopping/refund-points/amsterdam1/
Schiphol Airport recommends that international passengers get to the airport 3 hours before departure and I would follow that recommendation, especially as you have VAT to claim. If you have a lot of goods to claim for, you might consider an extra half an hour so you don’t feel stressed if there is a long queue.
Schiphol is a nice airport so if you manage to get through quickly, it’s quite relaxing inside.
Kind regards,
Helen
Josie says
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I hope it will be my last questions:
1. Can I open and throw away all the packages of thr items that I’ve bought? Or should I show the goods together with its packaging?
2. Should I show EVERY SINGLE item that we bought? Will they check them one by one in details?
Thats all for now.
Thank you so much!
Best regards,
Josie
Helen Page says
Hi Josie,
1. You can throw away bulky packaging like shoe boxes and shopping bags, but I would leave the price tags and labels on as proof that the goods match the receipts and that they are new. For smaller items like watches or jewelry, I would keep them in their packaging.
2. You must have ALL your shopping with you as Customs can do spot checks. If they ask to see an item and you don’t have it with you, then it will be disallowed, and it may be cause them to ask to see more items.
If you have a lot of shopping and claims, they are more likely to ask to see one of your goods. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll get waived through.
Kind regards,
Helen
clark says
Thank you kindly for sharing this info. I just came back from Schipol and this website was a godsend. I got my stamp from customs w/o any issues!
However, I was directed by the Information desk to Departures 3 to get my stamp even though I was all the way over in Departures 1. It’s quite hard to find too as it didn’t appear to be on any of the airport maps and took quite a bit of asking around. Not sure if there’s still an office in Departures 2.
Helen Page says
Hi Clark,
Thanks for your update and I’m glad that you got your VAT refund okay. I see on the Schiphol Airport website that they are undertaking some major renovations and that could be the reason for sending you to Departure 3. If I get anymore concrete information, I’ll update the post.
Thanks and kind regards,
Helen
sanny nguyen says
Hi Helen
my situation is : I bought my stuff in paris and the retailer gave me the tax refund form of a company named Simply tax free but my last country before leaving Europe is Nertherlands so could you show me the steps I must take to get my tax refund at the Schiphol airport ( because I did not see the office of this tax company in schiphol airport ? Thank you so much
Helen Page says
Sanny,
Apologies for the late reply. We are travelling ourselves and the internet has not been available at the places that we were visiting.
The Simply Tax Free is a system where you take your VAT form to a PABLO barcode reader at Charles de Gaulle Paris airport and scan the barcode of your VAT form yourself. If your VAT form is in order, you will see a green message saying that your form is okay and you then proceed to one of the Cash Refund points to get your refund. This process does not require you to get a stamp from a Customs Officer.
However, as you’ve missed to chance to use the PABLO barcode reader in Paris, you will just need to get a stamp from a Customs Officer at Schiphol Airport and then send in your stamp form and receipt to the Simply Tax Free office. The shop that you bought from would have given you an envelope with the address on it. Before you send in any forms, please make sure that you make a clear photocopy of the documents, just in case your forms go missing in the mail.
All the best with your claim,
Helen
Wina Yuwana says
Hi, I was at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam claiming my tax refund for my handbag. However, the custom officer told me that I needed to go to gate F2 inside (after the immigration counter) because the price of my handbag is huge, and so they need to check it at gate F2. When I reached F2, a custom officer checked my receipt and my handbag. After which, there is no counter for cash refund. The officer asked me to mail all my receipt to Premier Tax. Can you help me on this? As I am confused because on the receipt, it was written cash refund and not credit card refund BUT at gate F2, there is NO premier tax counter to refund my money. Do you have Premier Tax customer service email address so I can share my problems with them and get my money back through credit card? Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Wina
Helen Page says
Hi Wina,
Apologies for the late reply – we’re on the road in the U.S. and the internet is not always available.
In regard to your VAT claim, I presume that you managed to get your documents stamped by the Customs Officer at Gate F2. Travelex handles the cash refund for Premier Tax Free at Schiphol, but as you’ve missed the opportunity to get your cash refund, w hat you now need to do now is send the stamped form and receipt to Premier Tax Free and ask for a refund to your credit card. You would have been given a Premier Tax Free envelope to send back your documents in.
Make sure your include your credit card information on the form and make a copy of all your documents before you send them in. Things do go missing in the mail and if you don’t have copies, it’s hard to do any kind of follow up.
You can get more information about Premier Tax Free at their website on http://www.premiertaxfree.com
Good luck,
Helen
Serene says
Hi Helen,
I did my purchases in Spain and try to do cash refund in Schiphol, which was my transit airport in EU.
I had no problem getting my cash refund from Global Blue but was been told by the staff of Global Blue that cash refund counter for Premier Tax is located in the arrival hall before custom check. Having no choice, I dropped my tax refund envelope into the Premier Tax collection box, just next to the Global Blue refund counter. Big mistake as I did not take a copy of my form! I took for granted that since it is the Premier Tax collection box, it should reach them safely. How wrong was I. It has been a month before I am able to follow up on the status on my refund. To my horror, I received an email informing that they did not receive my forms!
My question: the address on my prepaid Premier Tax envelope is in Spain, any idea if it will be handled by the Netherlands Premier Tax office or sent back to Premier Tax Spain. If it is the latter, would my mail be rejected due to insufficient postage? If so, any way I can retrieve my mail back?
Are there other ways that I might have to get my refund back? I have 2 claim forms, 1 of them I have the tourist Copy of claim form, the other, I only have the original receipt.
The refund amount is quite substantial and I’m feeling really lousy now 🙁
Thank you in advance for your advise!
Helen Page says
Hi Serene,
I’m sorry to hear of your Premier Tax Free VAT refund problems. I am not aware of how Premier Tax Free processes claims that are dropped in the box at the airport. If it were sent back to Spain you wouldn’t need to worry about insufficient postage as the envelopes are postage-paid for Europe.
Unfortunately, once you’ve dropped your claim in the box, it is not possible to retrieve it. Can I suggest that you contact Premier Tax Free in the Netherlands (customer.services@fintrax.com) and find out who actually handles the claim, i.e. the Netherlands or Spain and see if they can advise you on what to do.
If you tourist copy of the claim form has a document number, you can try and track your refund on their system:
http://premiertaxfree.com/track-my-refund
As you’ve indicated that your refund amount is quite substantial, it’s worthwhile trying to trace it.
I hope your attempts will be duly rewarded.
Kind regards,
Helen
Abdur-Rahman Y. Abdullah says
Hi, I was at Schiphol Airport in February 2015, Amsterdam claiming my tax refund. There is no counter for cash refund. The officer asked me to fill an application and include all my receipts to a drop box. I wrote my credit card number. I got no feedback. Do you have any customer service email address so I can share my problems with them and get my money back through credit card? Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Abdur-Rahman Y. Abdullah
Helen Page says
Hi, as you didn’t mention which tax refund agency your claim is with, I’ve included contacts for the two more obvious ones:
Premier Tax Free – customer.services@fintrax.com
Global Blue – http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Yaron says
The Customs tax free validation desk is actually located now at Departure hall 3, next to desk 29-30.
(I could not find the one in Departure hall 2 and was refereed to this desk by Airport information).
The desk is closed at night (between 22:00 – 6:00), however there is a phone number to call at night and someone arrives within minutes after calling.
The desk is right next to the Global Blue.
Helen Page says
Hi Yaron,
Thank you for providing the updated information on the location of the Customs Tax Free Validation Desk. It seems that the Tax Free Validation desk location has changed since I was last there and I appreciate your update which will help other travellers.
Kind regards,
Helen
Lisa says
Dear Helen,
I am flying out of Bucharest through Amsterdam to US. I have only an hour layover at schipohl which probably isn’t enough time but if I carry my items in my hand luggage where is the custom validation desk located in terminal? My understanding is that I can get a validation in the terminal when I transfer? I do not have enough time to go to departure and then back through security and passport control. Is it in gate D area? I was looking at airport map but hard to tell. Thank you!
Helen Page says
Hi Lisa,
Apologies for the late reply as we’re on the road at the moment.
It appears that there is no VAT Refund services at Bucharest Airport, but you can get your Customs Stamp there. I note that a query was asked on the TripAdvisor forum in 2013 and the response from the Bucharest Customs was “Customs office is located in the International Departures Terminal, after security check and border police”. You may wish to get an update by emailing amaotopeniaeroport@customs.ro. I suggest you try this option first as one hour at Schiphol Airport doesn’t leave you plenty of time, even if there are no delays.
According to the Schiphol Airport map that I looked at, the VAT Validation Desk is at Gate F. It’s an image of a customs officer with a stamp next to it. There may not be any Vat Refund desk there, in which case you’ll need to send in your documents by mail. This can be done from back home as well. Before you put anything in the mail, be sure to take a copy of all your forms so that you’ll be able to chase up your refund if things go missing in the mail, which they do.
Enjoy your shopping and all the best with your VAT claims.
Kind regards,
Helen
Pamela Everett says
My husband and I bought several pairs of eyeglasses from Hans Anders in Den Haag. We asked for the tax form and they could not provide it but they did stamp our receipts. We gave these to the customs officer and he stamped the form and we were told to return them to Hans Anders Head Office by mail which we mailed from the airport on Sept 1. How can we find out if the receipt was received and when we can expect a refund?
Helen Page says
Hi Pamela,
Not all shops offer tax free shopping and those that do usually use a VAT refund service like Global Blue or Premier Tax Free to manage all the paper work. If Hans Anders were not able to provide you with the tax form, I presume that they do not offer tax-free shopping.
You could write to Hans Anders and follow up with them directly, but I doubt that they would take any action since they didn’t provide tax free shopping in the first instance. Basically, in our experience, if you don’t get the tax form you will not get the refund.
I suggest that in future you only shop at retailers that display the tax-free shopping logos on their shop window, if getting your VAT back is important to you.
Kind regards,
Helen
motfia says
hi,
I am a student, and already live here (Netherlands) for almost 4 years. In 2 months I will go back for good to my country. is it possible for me to get vat refund if I buy some electronics now, considering I have already here for quite long time?
Helen Page says
Hi Motfia,
You should be able to claim VAT refund if you can show them that you will not be returning to the Netherlands within a certain period. I suggest that you phone Dutch Customs to clarify your position.
Regards,
Helen
Peter says
Hi Helen,
I plan to buy a phone in Amsterdam during the next week. I will be returning via Munich. It is the same carrier and I only have one hour between flights.
Will I be able to get VAT refund on Schiphol? I can unbox the phone and use it for a few days before claiming the refund, right?
Helen Page says
Hi Peter,
As you are checking your luggage all the way through to your home country in Amsterdam, you’ll do your VAT claim at Schiphol. Please note that in order to be eligible for VAT refund, goods must be unused.
Kind regards,
Helen
Harumi Matsuda says
I am going to travel from Zurich to Peru, but I have to make an stop at Amsterdam Airport. I mean, im going be there just for transit. Please tell me where is the ubicated the custom stamp and global blue stand? thanks!
Helen Page says
Hi Harumi,
Switzerland is not a part of the EU and where you get your Customs stamp and claim your VAT refund depends on which VAT you are claiming, i.e. Swiss VAT or EU VAT. If your shopping was in the EU, you will need to get your Customs stamp at Amsterdam Schiphol as the Swiss Customs cannot stamp your EU forms for you. Can you clarify where you did your shopping?
Regards,
Helen
Rene says
Hello,
Thanks for the useful info!
Is there a time limit as far as getting the customs stamp? How many hours before the flight? In Spain it was 4 hours.
I’m just getting very nervous hearing about the long lines
Many thanks,
Rene
Helen Page says
Hi Rene,
Time limit is three months for getting Customs stamp from date of purchase.
Arriving three hours before your flight is fine, but if you are nervous you can always go a little earlier. Schiphol Airport is nice and you can do more shopping there.
Kind regards,
Helen
Rene says
Thanks Helen!
Indika says
Hi Helen,
I am from Sri Lanka and in Netherlands at the moment. My flight back to Sri Lanka is on Saturday (07/11) and wish to buy an Iphone tomorrow.
1. Do you know that the Apple store in Amstterdam is VAT registered company?
2. If yes, should I ask them to give me a special tax refund letter?
Thank you,
Indika
Helen Page says
Hi Indika,
Most large retailers offer tax-free shopping and I’m pretty sure Apple would be one of them. Why don’t you give the shop a call or ask them when you are there.
Very often shops that offer tax-free shopping will have signs on their shopfront showing the VAT Refund company that they use, such as Global Blue or Premier Tax Free, etc. Tell the shop attendant that you would like to claim VAT refund and they will provide you with a VAT refund form, which you must get stamped at Customs. Don’t forget to bring along your passport as some shops will want to see them.
All the best,
Helen
Fan Yang says
Can anyone help me to get my overdue VAT refund from Vatfree?
I provided all required documentation to the Vatfree counter at the Schiphol airport on 02/08/2015. I also received their confirmation that on 12/09/2015 that It takes about 40 business days(2 months) for my refund amount to be ready. But I have not received any VAT refund up to date. I contacted Vatfree and they put the blame on the retailer. What can I do to get my refund, or where I can make complaint against Vatfree? Any input is appreciated.
Helen Page says
Hi Fan,
This is what they say on their website under “When can I expect my VAT refund”:
“In general, it will take about 40 business days before all VAT amounts are offset by shops and transferred to us. It depends on the shops’ payment terms how quick the refund is executed. If this takes longer than 60 business days, we will transfer you a partial refund payment*. Once the remaining VAT is offset by the shop, you will receive the remaining balance in a separate payment or with your next refund registration.
*A partial payment can only be realized if at least 50% of the VAT, plus the calculated service fee, has been offset by merchants. Please note that a second partial payment will generally cost €5.50. ”
So maybe you can remind them of the above and as it’s past 60 business days, they should be transferring a partial refund to you.
Kind regards,
Helen
Özlem U. says
Hello,
I am from Turkey. I have two tax free forms from Cologne, they are stamped but we can’t have tax because they told us the bookstore gives the money but it is closed at night. We filled the forms with our personal information and credit card number etc. but we don’t know what to do now. They told us to send the forms to Germany and they are going to pay the tax money to our credit card. But we don’t know where to send it, or can we e-mail them the pictures of the forms and get our tax to our credit card? Thanks for your help
Helen Page says
Hello Özlem,
Take a look at the two tax free forms that you have:
1. Have they been stamped by Customs when you left the EU?
2. Are the forms from a VAT Refund company such as Global Blue, Premier Tax Free? If so, you are usually given an envelope to send the form back to the company who will process the VAT refund on behalf of the shop.
Without knowing which tax free forms you have, I’m unable to tell you where to send your forms to. Firstly, the stamped forms have to be sent to the companies concerned and then you will be able to track your refund on their website.
Regards,
Helen Page
Anurag says
Hi , few days back I bought a phone in Dublin from a local store, on 12 December I’ll be leaving EU from Amsterdam. Is vat refund applicable for me? If applicable kindly advise what should I do?
Helen Page says
Hi Anurag,
Yes, VAT refund is available to you. If your retailer is a participant in the VAT refund scheme, they will provide you with a VAT refund form, if you ask for it, and you then follow the process as described above.
Regards,
Helen
Lee Ching Ee says
Dear Ms Helen,
I bought some jewelleries from Gassan Diamond Amsterdam amongst others during my group tour to Europe last week.
At the Schiphol airport, I managed to get stamps for my Tax Refund for my purchases. However, I misplaced ONE, that is receipt and Tax Refund Form for one of my Gassan Diamond purchased.
Now I am back home in Malaysia. How can I validate or make the Tax Refund claim from Malaysia, now that I have found the necessary documents..?
Please advise me.
Thank you Helen.
Regards,
Ms Lee
Helen Page says
Hi Ching Ee,
It is possible to get your VAT form validated at any of the EU embassies or consulates in KL but they will probably charge you for the service. Ring or check up the websites of a few EU consulates in KL (e.g. Dutch, German or French, etc.) and see if they offer this service and the cost involved.
As an example, in Sydney, the German Consulate will validate VAT forms, but they charge Euros 25 for each form they validate. So, you would only do this if your VAT refund is greater than Euros 25.
Another suggestion is to talk to the KL representative of the VAT refund company and ask for their suggestions (i.e. Global Blue or Premier Tax Free, etc. whichever company you have your VAT documents from).
Good luck with your VAT claim and let me know how you go.
Kind regards,
Helen
Lee Ching Ee says
Dear Helen,
TQVM for your prompt advised.
Earlier, I have contacted the Netherlands Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. One of the officer told me the Embassy here do not provide the VAT Validating Service.
I wonder if the other EU Embassy here does the Validating services for goods bought in the Netherlands, for my case, howeverI will contact them during their working hours.
In the meantime, I am also trying to find out if our local representative for Global Blue, which is Iris Global Blue will be able to offer us help. I will contact them by phone soonest possible.
In the meantime, I am keeping my fingers cross for this issue to be solved asap too.
Thanking you for your kind advises.
Regards,
Ms Lee
Ba says
Hello
I plan to leave from Amsterdam in DEC 24. Dos the VAT refund service work normally in that day?
Thank you
Helen Page says
Hi Ba,
The Customs office will be manned, but I suggest you email and ask the VAT refund company (i.e. Global Blue or Premier Tax Free, etc.) what time they close on December 24th.
Even if the VAT company is closed, as long as you have your forms stamped by Customs, you can always mail the forms back. But please make sure you take a photo of all the documents before sending them back. Documents do go missing in the mail and as long as you have copies you can always send the photos as evidence. The VAT form number and Customs stamp must be clear enough for them to sight.
Kind regards,
Helen
Redd Ochoa says
Hi. How long does it take to get your taxes back via credit card? Thanks.
Helen Page says
It depends on the VAT company that your retailer uses. For example, Global Blue has the following time limits:
– 5 working days applies to refunds processed at Global Blue Refund Office and paid to a credit card.
– for Tax Free Form mailed to Global Blue: 3 weeks for refunds paid to a credit card, bank account or bank cheque. The 3 weeks is measured from receipt of Tax Free Form by mail.
If your VAT refund is from another company other than Global Blue, you can check their website for their time limits.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Link says
Dear Helen
I very much appreciate your kind help in posting such helpful tip here. This help me understand a lot more:)
Still, I’ve got a question regarding this ,
I’m going to travel to Italy>> France>> Germany and last at NL, My question is that in some outlets e.g. The Mall outlet in Italy, they will provide cash as tax refund there. But buyer need to get the receipt form stamped and drop in at the airport. The point is I wonder if this document I’ll get from the outlet should be stamped, and envelop would be dropped in the mailbox at which airport. Is it the airport in Italy(as I buy those stuffs from this country) or the airport in NL(as it is the finaldestination)
Helen Page says
Hi Link,
For all purchases that you intend claiming VAT refund for, the VAT form must be stamped by Customs and returned to the VAT company (or shop) in the envelope provided. If you are getting cash refund at The Mall in Florence, you will still have to have VAT form stamped and sent back. This is proof that you are leaving the EU with your goods. If the Customs stamped form is not received by the VAT company (or shop), the VAT refund can be reversed to your credit card and a large penalty imposed.
If the Netherlands is your last destination, you will need to get your Customs stamps here, even though your shopping is done in Italy.
If however, you are leaving from Germany and Amsterdam is just a flight change, then you will need to get your Customs stamp in Germany as no doubt your shopping will be in your checked baggage.
Hope the above answers your questions.
Kind regards,
Helen
Lee says
Hi,
Your website was very informative! However, I am seeking help for claiming refund overseas!
I was running late for my flight in Schipol and I had already checked in all my items. The Customs desk in Schipol gave me a ‘Import Stamp needed” chop on my receipts so that I can claim my VAT when I got back to my country instead. However, the Customs desk in my airport (Singapore) didn’t know how to help me because they insisted that they only do refund for Singapore purchases.
May I thus ask, what stamp am I looking for? Also, are there any additional procedures for claiming my refund overseas?
Thank you!
Helen Page says
Hi Lee,
If you’ve bought from a shop that offers tax-free shopping, the normal process is that they they would have provided you with a VAT refund form from one of the VAT refund companies such as Global Blue or Premier Tax Free. The VAT refund form is the document that is stamped by Schiphol Customs, if they are satisfied that you are exporting the goods. Once stamped, the form should then be sent back to the VAT refund company (such as Global Blue) in the envelope provided. Singapore Customs cannot assist you because this is a refund of European VAT.
In your situation, Schiphol Customs didn’t have the opportunity to check your goods as you said that you had already checked in your baggage. Without proof that your goods have been exported, they can refuse to stamp your VAT form, but it appears that they have stamped it in good faith as long as your obtain an import stamp in Singapore. You have to get Singapore Customs to stamp your VAT form – explain to them that you need to show proof that you’ve imported the goods into Singapore (you may be required to show them your purchases). The stamped forms should then be sent back to the VAT refund company in Europe for them to process your claim.
Please note that not all shops offer tax-free shopping. Those that do, usually use a VAT refund company such as Global Blue or Premier Tax Free to do all their processing, and you would have been given an envelope from the company to send back your form.
Before doing the above, I suggest you email the VAT company concerned and confirm that they will accept your claim, once you’ve got the import stamp. Before sending back your forms, I also suggest that you make copies of all documents, just in case they go missing in the mail.
Good luck with your claim.
Kind regards,
Helen
Rodrigo Gonzales says
hey helen,
i am planing to do shopping in amsterdam and i wold like to get the vat refund,
problam is that my flight back to my country (Mexico) is at sunday 5:00 am and i think the custom desk is closed at night, do you know how i can get the stamp from custom at night in schiphol???
i
tnx,
Rodrigo Gonzales, Ciudad De Mexico
Helen Page says
Hi Rodrigo,
There should be Customs officers on duty at Schiphol Airport for all outgoing flights although they may not be those dedicated to VAT refunds. You should ask at your airline checkin as to where to locate these officers. It’s worthwhile to also contact Schiphol Airport and ask them the same question. Below link is to their contact form.
https://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AboutSchiphol/Contact1/Contact.htm
The important thing is to get the Customs stamp and then you can always send back your VAT reform forms in the envelope provided. Please be sure to take clear copies of your forms before sending them back.
Best regards,
Helen
Abhishek says
Hi,
I am based out of NL and visited Paris for a short vacation. I brought some cosmetics and got a premiertaxfree form. I did the shopping via my credit card at the store and I guess the tax free amount was refunded in store itself. I came back to NL via train. However I will exit the EU from NL Schipol 6-7 months later from the day of purchase. Can you please let mek now what do I need to do so that premiertaxfree does not debit the VAT amount.
Helen Page says
Abhishek,
Below are instructions from Premier Tax Free’s website:
“Tax free forms must be filled in and always export validated within three months after the month of purchase (or within 21 days from the day of purchase if you got an immediate refund in store or at a city refund point)”
If your refund was provided instore, you have 21 days to complete your export validation.
I suggest you contact Premier Tax Free in Amsterdam and get their advice. From comments by other travellers, there may be a penalty for not exporting your goods on time, i.e. a reversal of the VAT plus a charge.
Regards,
Helen
Mikhael says
Hey Helen
Im a traveller from Singapore. If i make my purchases using DEBIT card. I do not hold any credit cards. VAT refund still possible?
Helen Page says
Michael,
Check with your bank if your debit card allows credits to be made to it.
The alternative is to take your VAT refund in cash, but please note that in some places, such as Rome Fiumicino Airport, they no longer allow cash VAT refunds.
Kind regards,
Helen
Richard DeGuzman says
Helen:
I am currently in Germany and will fly to Amsterdam for the weekend. I plan to purchase a watch at Schliphol Airport on my return flight to Germany on Sunday.
My question: Since the Netherlands is not my last country before flying back to the US, can I finalize the customs stamp at Schliphol so I do not have to do it Germany the following week?
Regards,
RD
Helen Page says
Hi Richard,
Your VAT refund has to be done at the time you are leaving the EU, which for you is when you leave Germany the following week.
Kind regards,
Helen
Ray Kreiner says
I just returned to the US from Amsterdam and, because of the requirement for assistance for my wife at the airport, was unable to go to the customs office to get the stamp. I have the forms from the stores, but am unsure how to obtain the customs stamps in the US. I live in Georgia.
What do I need to do?
Ray
Helen Page says
Hi Ray,
There are two options for getting customs stamp for your VAT form:
1. Have your forms export validated by any of the EU embassies in the U.S. Some EU embassies provide this service, but they may charge you for it.
2. Have the forms export validated by US Customs at the airport.
Being in Georgia, it doesn’t seem that either of these options would be very convenient for you. You have three months (from the date of purchase) to get the forms back to the stores. If you do manage to get the stamp, please do make copies of the forms before returning them as things do go missing in the mail.
Good luck,
Kind regards,
Helen
Jen Ko says
Hi Helen, thanks for the helpful and useful info about VAT claims.
If there any change in the process recently, as I heard from a friend just got back from Germany mentioned that check in is required first, so that boarding pass can be presented to the custom officer, after tax claims, we will then have to go back to the check-in counter to check in the luggage.
Appreciate your advice as I am travelling to Europe from 21 Apr to 6 May. My last stop is at Amsterdam.
Helen Page says
Hi Jen,
Your friend is correct. In most cities, you are required to get your boarding pass before going to Customs to get your VAT refund stamp.
However, in Amsterdam, the process is a little different – you do your VAT refund first before checking in. The Customs officer will need to see your airline ticket, your passport, VAT refund form, receipts and goods before certifying your VAT refund form. After this you can proceed to your airline counter and check in whatever you don’t wish to carry with you.
Do allow yourself plenty of time as the queues can be long. Also, I suggest you do online check-in (24 or 48 hrs before your flight, depending on the airline), so that you don’t have to worry about standing in line at your airline counter after the VAT process.
Enjoy your holidays and happy shopping.
Kind regards,
Helen
Steve says
Hi Helen,
I am going to Indonesia on April 30th after I finished my study in the Netherlands. I bought a new laptop in Media Markt and they cooperate with Global Blue.
Can I claim my tax refund before April 30th (e.g April 23rd) ? Because I want to install some licensed software from my school before I leave.
Regards,
Steve
Helen Page says
Hi Steve,
VAT refund can only be claimed at the time of leaving the EU, so you won’t be able to do it in advance of your departure. Having said that, in some places, like Italy, there is the option of claiming your VAT downtown before leaving the country.
There shouldn’t be any issue in you installing licensed software before you leave.
Kind regards,
Helen
Galina says
Dear Helen, I need your help!
With my friend happened the following situation:
She bought toys for her children in Zelhem (company – Heutink International) and wanted to return Tax. But at the airport she got the black stamp “import stamp needed”.
Officers said that she will not have any problems, only necessary to put stamp in our Russian customs.
But! In Russia all officers at the customs say: we never put any stamps. You should put it in Holland…
So.. Is it any way to change this situation now? She is in Russia now. is it possible to put this stamp remotely?
How can she get her money now?
Helen Page says
Hi Galina,
To get the Customs Stamp, it is a requirement that travellers have their goods available for inspection before Customs will provide the stamp. In situations where the traveller has already checked in their bags with the purchases in it, Customs will stamp “import stamp needed” on the VAT refund form. It may be that your friend checked in her case with the goods in it before approaching Dutch Customs.
If she is able to get the stamp from your Russian customs, it will be proof that she has exported the goods out of the EU and into Russia. So if she can bring the goods and documents to your Russian customs and explain this requirement, they may be able to help her.
Another option is to phone the Dutch embassy in Moscow and ask if they can provide VAT validation. Some embassies do provide this service, but they also do charge for it.
All the best with your friend’s VAT claim,
Helen
THEHK says
Hi ,
I have a short question (Flying to Prague soon).
Let’s say I bought goods at tax-free shop. Got all the needed papers and stamps and took the flight home.
On arrival to my home country … will i pay tax as for “importing goods” or not ?
I’m gonna spend like 500$ for different purchases (5-6 electronic goods).
Just want to know if that’s tax free, or tax free abroad, but please pay at home anyway 🙂
Thanks in advance
Helen Page says
Most countries have limits on the amount of goods that visitors and citizens can take into the country tax-free. From your IP address, I presume your home country is Israel. The link below explains what tourists are allowed to take into Israel tax-free. You should find out from your Customs what your entitlements are.
http://ozar.mof.gov.il/ita2013/eng/tourist_guide2005.htm#4
Regards,
Helen Page
Jamie Magee says
Hi Helen,
Thanks for this helpful article! I purchased a 1000 Euro item from a Netherlands based company while there, and got the receipt stamped by customs upon exiting the EU with the item at Schiphol. This commercial vendor is not affiliated with Global Blue or Premiere Tax Free.
How do I obtain my refund of 200 Euro VAT for this item? Clearly, I’m taking the item out of the country and got the receipt stamped by customs.
Thank you,
What is
Helen Page says
Hi Jamie,
If a retailer has not outsourced its VAT refund function to VAT companies like Global Blue or Premiere Tax Free, then the assumption is that they will process the VAT refund themselves. Before you send your stamped receipt to them, I suggest you contact them to confirm the process as not all companies offer duty-free shopping. But, before you send in your receipt to them, please ensure that you keep a clear copy just in case your mail goes astray.
Kind regards,
Helen
Jamie Magee says
Thank you so much for this explanation.
Helen Page says
You’re most welcome Jamie.
Kind regards,
Helen
piyush says
I must say that you are doing some outstanding job here and would have definitely helped thousands like us after reading comments and replies.
I have a small query regarding tax refund at Schiphol. Is it mandatory to go for a refund via either Global blue , premier tax free or vatfree as they charge quite some money in my case vat amount is 221 euro(product price 1199) .Global blue calculator says 131 eur and vatfree calculator shows 158. Is there any way I can get complete 221 euro refund? Also I would like to know that before getting to the refund counter we need to get the copy stamped from customs. Can this be only done at the airport or if we can do it anywhere else a little before our travel.??
Helen Page says
Hi Piyush,
The administration of VAT refunds is quite a tedious task and therefore large companies who offer tax-free shopping prefer to outsource this function to VAT companies like Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, etc. So, if you buy from a retailer who has outsourced its VAT refund function to Global Blue for example, then your VAT form will be a Global Blue form and you will have to deal with them for your refund. These VAT refund companies need to make money for their services and therefore they take a cut from the refund. Without them maybe you won’t get any tax refund at all.
You can only get the Customs stamp at the airport as you’ll need to show that you are taking the goods out of the country.
Kind regards,
Helen
ashish salecha says
hi,
i want to know when will the vat refund reflect in my credit card as they were NOT processing it by cash,they had taken all the bills and mentioned that 1st i ll get a confirmation mail to confirm the credit card details where i want a refund but till date i have not received either a mail or refund in cc account,
the date was 11 th may from schipol airport.
Helen Page says
Hi Ashish,
The time taken depends on the individual VAT refund company. Premier Tax Free for instance says that they will process credit card refunds within 30 days. The VAT refund companies offer a tracking service so if you go on-line and enter your details, you’ll be able to see how your refund is tracking.
Regards,
Helen
ashish salecha says
pls give the web to track the refund as they have not given me anything to track.
regards
Helen Page says
When you bought your goods you would have been given a VAT form from a VAT refund company – the one that you dealt with at Schiphol Airport. Just go to their website and search for the “refund tracker” page. Please note that to track your refund, you would need to have a copy of your VAT form which has an ID number on it. If you did not keep a copy of this form, you won’t be able to do the online tracking.
Regards,
helen
ashish salecha says
hi,
thanks for your reply,
no they did not give me anything to track or any receipt of the same,
thanks & regards,
aashish
S Menon says
Hi Helen,
I am traveling from Amsterdam to London (here for 5 days) before flying back to India. Must I do the VAT refund in Amsterdam or in London?
Thanks
S
Helen Page says
London is your exit point from the EU so under current rules you claim your VAT in London.
Kind regards,
Helen
Anthony says
Expired visa (7 days) and customs refuse to stamp. Is this right…?
Helen Page says
Overstaying your visa is a serious matter and can have future consequences if you are intending to return to the country. As you were “unlawfully present” in the Netherlands, you can’t expect Customs to extend any privileges to you.
Be thankful you weren’t detained, or fined or deported as an “illegal”.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
sirwan says
thanks for your useful notes.
I bought some goods but the store didn’t gave me a special bon for tax refunds.
can I use my ordinary bon from kassa for tax refound ?
and what percentage from the amount is refoundable?
Helen Page says
Hi Sirwan,
Not all retailers offer tax refund. You must have a VAT refund form to claim your VAT.
Kind regards,
Helen
BUZZ XIONG says
Hi Helen,
In light of Brexit, if I purchase goods bought in London, can I still claim VAT in Amsterdam?
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Buzz
Helen Page says
Hi Buzz,
If Amsterdam is your point of exit from the EU, the answer is Yes. The UK has two years to negotiate the terms of the exit with the EU, so nothing will change until this happens.
Happy shopping!
Kind regards,
Helen
BUZZ XIONG says
Thank u so much Helen, u’ve been great help 😉
Helen Page says
You’re most welcomed Buzz.
Kind regards,
Helen
jon says
hello helen ,
i got my electronic tax free form in Paris , as i know CDG airport got PABLO there.. according your article, schiphol airport doesnt have any PABLO there right, so i have to get a stamp from a customs Officer at schiphol Airport , so my question is : my form is electronic tax free form , so i just pass my form to the customs and let them stamp on it or just ignore the electronic one and take the actual global blue form from the store , and then fill all the information again ?
thank you so much
regards,
jon
Helen Page says
Hello Jon,
PABLO machines are in France only. They are very easy to use and I only wish that other countries would adopt it.
In regard to your question, the electronic VAT form that you received in Paris is almost the same as the non-electronic one. The only difference is that it has a PABLO logo on the top left and a barcode on the top right of the form.
If you are leaving the EU from Schiphol, all you have to do is present your PABLO-enabled form to Customs and get them to stamp it. Be sure to have your goods with you as they could ask to see them. F.Y.I., I was at CDG last week and one of my PABLO electronic forms did not work as the shop only printed part of the barcode. The Customs officer stamped this form for me, as well as VAT forms that I had accumulated from Norway and Germany (these were not PABLO-enabled forms and had to be stamped manually).
Kind regards,
Helen
jon says
thank you so much helen , so sorry of the barcode 😛
so i dont have to do anything , just pass my electronic form the them and get a chop 😛
regards,
jon
Helen Page says
That’s right Jon. Be sure to have your goods and the receipts with you just in case they want to see them.
Cheers,
Helen
Chubi Ezeilo says
I visited and shopped in the Netherlands last year and departed to my country on 30May 2015. I did not know the vat refund procedures then and did not obtain vat refund forms from the shops I shopped in. While going back, after check in, I showed the receipts to customs at Schiphol. Only two receipts were stamped by customs as the items in the other receipts were checked-in. As I didn’t have a refund form, neither did I know of Global refund or the refund procedure, I didn’t make any claims but I kept the stamped receipts. Now I am again in the Netherlands, to return to my country on Saturday 20 August. I also made some shopping but now I have the refund forms for the new shopping. Would I still be able to claim refund on the stamped receipts of May last year? If yes, how would I do it? Thanks for your valuable advice.
Helen Page says
Hi Chubi,
Usually there is a time limitation on when you have to submit your VAT validated forms and the rules vary from country to country.
As you do not appear to have any VAT refund forms from your 2015 shopping, the only way to find out if you can claim on these is to ask the shops that you bought from. Not all shops offer tax-free shopping and those that do usually use a VAT refund company (like Global Blue or Premier Tax Free).
Since your purchases were over a year ago, I doubt if you’d be able to claim on these, but you can try asking the shops you bought from.
Kind regards,
Helen
Lauren Smith says
Is it possible to also get a refund for VAT tax paid to hotels and restaurants? I have the receipts that show VAT or BTW tax. I’m leaving from Amsterdam on Wed.
Helen Page says
Unfortunately not Lauren. Food consumed and taxable services are not covered under the tax-free shopping scheme.
Regards,
Helen
Tatiana says
Hi, I want to know if it is possible to go to the Costums and get the stamps one day before my flight?
I have to do the check-in in the airport at 4 a.m. (Monday), and I want to go in the airport on Sunday to get the stamps and receive the cash. Is it possible?
Thanks
Helen Page says
Tatiana, export validation will only be provided at the time of your departure from the EU. You cannot get it in advance.
As you are checking in at 4 am, the VAT refund desks may not be open – check their website to see opening times. If the refund desks are not open, what you’ll need to do is get your Customs stamp and mail all documents back to the refund company in the envelope provided. Before doing that I strongly advise that you take snaps of the documentation just in case you’ll need to followup online. It’s important to have clear image of the DOC ID.
Regards,
Helen Page
Danny says
hi Helen,
Thank you for al the good help.
Since by law none-eu residents can get their paid VAT back I do wonder how I can arrange my VAT return myself. Those companies make it easier for sure but they also charge a substantial amount of money.
There must be a way to take care of this VAT return ourselves and save on the fee’s they charge.
Do you have any info about how to do this?
Danny
Helen Page says
Hi Danny,
Although as a non-EU resident you are entitled to claim your VAT refund, it is not compulsory for all retailers to offer tax-free shopping. Those that do offer tax-free shopping obviously want to encourage people to buy in their shop.
There is a cost involved in administering the VAT refunds and retailers are happy to offload the additional administrative tasks to third party VAT refund companies. These companies have to recover costs for their staff, systems and processing time, hence the fees they charge.
It’d be quite rare to find retailers who would do their own VAT processing these days.
I’ve always looked at VAT refunds as the icing on the cake, so even if you get back 10 or 12% net, it’s better than nothing.
Kind regards,
Helen
Mor says
Dear Helen.
We very much appreciate your kind help in posting such helpful tip here.
Some Questions Please:
As you said The Customs Tax Free Validation desk is not open during night.
Our flight at 07:00am :(.
There is any possibility to come day before to airport for the customs desk? (Our hotel is near schiphol).
the second step is the check-in and after that you said to go “global blue” desk to get the refund (after the sumps).
The global blue after the check-in open 24/7 ? if not, what can i do to get it?
Thanks A lot,
Mor.
Helen Page says
Hi Mor,
Unfortunately, you can only get your Customs stamp on the date of departure.
According to one of our readers, “The Customs Validation desk is closed at night (between 22:00 – 6:00), however there is a phone number to call at night and someone arrives within minutes after calling.”
I don’t know if that information is still current. As your hotel is near the airport, I would suggest that you go to Schiphol and make enquiries at the Information Desk or Global Blue. As your flight is at 7 am, it would be useful to know before-hand where you have to go to get your stamp.
Global Blue at Schiphol Airport is open from 7 am – 8:30 pm. The most important thing is to get your Customs stamp. Once you have this, you can mail your VAT form and invoice back to Global Blue in the envelope provided. You can even mail this from your home country, but you’ll need to pay for the postage. Before sending anything back to Global Blue, take a clear photo of the VAT form (especially the ID Number) and your invoice as things can go missing in the mail. With the VAT form ID, you can always track the progress of your VAT refund online.
All the best with your VAT claim. Please let me know if you have any updated information about getting the Customs stamp in the early morning.
Kind regards,
Helen
Peter Leone says
I purchased a Rolex watch while in Germany recently. I had the Customs Officer in Nurnberg, Germany stamp the Global Blue tax refund form before we boarded for Amsterdam. Unfortunately, Schiphol was socked in so we were delayed. Because of the delay we did not have time to receive my tax refund at the Global Blue Office. I wrote to the Global Blue office in Slovenia when I arrived home in the U.S.A about a week go but have not received a reply. Can you tell me how I can receive my tax refund as it is a substantial amount
Helen Page says
Hi Peter,
What you need to do is send your customs stamped VAT form and receipt to Global Blue. You would have been given a Global Blue envelope to send your documents back to them.
Please ensure you take a clear copy of your documents just in case they go missing in the mail. The important information on the VAT form is the ID No. You will then be able to track the progress of your VAT refund on Global Blue’s refund tracker system.
https://secure.globalblue.com/secure/traveller-services/refundtracker/
Don’t forget to include stamps on the Global Blue envelope as you are mailing it from the U.S.
Hope the above helps.
Kind regards,
Helen
Rudiantoro Kasdjono says
Hi Helen,
Is it possible to claim tax refund in Schiphol Airport 1 or 2 days before departure time?
Thanks.
Helen Page says
Hi Rudi,
VAT refund can only be claimed at the time of leaving the EU so you can’t do it in advance.
Kind regards,
Helen
Ann Pham says
Hi! So just like in your scenario, I will do my shopping in Paris and my final port of exit is Amsterdam to the US. I will be flying in from Paris and was wondering if I needed to exit to go through Passport control even though I don’t plan on checking any of the luxury items. Also in Amsterdam, you can get the VAT refund in cash?
Helen Page says
Hi Ann Pham,
If your VAT form is from the larger agencies like Global Blue or Premier Tax Free, they have a refund office airside so you don’t have to exit and go through Passport control to claim your VAT. If your transit time in Amsterdam is short, they will allow you to claim VAT refund for your hand-carried items in Paris.
Whether you can get VAT refund in cash in Amsterdam depends on which VAT company your refund is from. Again, larger agencies will have cash facilities. I suggest you check online before you head for the airport in Paris.
Regards,
Helen Page
Ann Pham says
Thanks! I will have a long enough layover in Amsterdam to do the VAT in Amsterdam.
ALON MORAD says
HI,
THE VISA CARD NOMBER TO GET THE TAX RECEIVE WAS RONG.
HOW I CAN GIVE THE NEW NUMBER OF THE CARD TO RECEIVE THE TAX?
THANK YOU.
Helen Page says
Go to the website of the VAT refund company that your refund was from and you can track your refund and make contact there. They will need the VAT refund form ID number.
Regards,
Helen Page
Caesario says
Hi, thank you for the wonderful information, however I have one question. Since we will be arriving at the airport quite close to the departure time, will it be possible to do the tax refund one day before departure date? (we are planning to be in Amsterdam the day before, going out to another city, then come back to Amsterdam to fly the next day).
Thank you for your help!
Rio
Helen Page says
Hi Caesario,
In the Netherlands, VAT refund can only be done at the time of departing the EU. (This is different in countries like Italy where you can do your VAT refund downtown.)
In case you don’t manage to get your Customs stamp on the day of departure, you may still be able to get your VAT refund. This is what Global Blue suggests:
“In case you didn’t manage to obtain customs stamp when leaving Holland, obtain one of the following export validations within 3 months from the month of purchase:
• An import validation stamp from your local Customs;
• An export customs stamp from any country (it doesn’t have to be EU country);
• A notary stamp from your country”
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Kanya says
Hi Helen,
My friend just got back from Amsterdam with the stamp from the customs but she was too rush to get the refund. As I m going there in few days, can I do it for her? She bought the stuff when she visited Berlin.
Where should I check what documents are required and do they need to see her real passport or ao?
Any suggestions? Thank you so much.
Regards,
Kanya
Helen Page says
Hi Kanya,
As your friend managed to get her VAT form stamped by Customs, all she has to do is send the VAT form and invoice back to the VAT company. She would have received a self-addressed envelope from the company.
Before doing that she should:
1. make sure that all information on the VAT form is completed, including her credit card account where the VAT refund is to be credited.
2. take a copy of the documents for her record, just in case the mail goes missing. The important bit of information on the VAT form is the VAT ID number. With this number she would be able to track her refund online.
If you want to claim the VAT on her behalf, you’ll have to bring the goods with you as you may be asked to show the goods. It’s best if she mails the claim as suggested above.
Regards,
Helen
Kanya says
Thanks so much Helen for your info.
Helen Page says
Most welcomed Kanya.
Jaime says
Hi Helen,
I have bewn travllng with my parents for the past 2 weeks ard Europe ans will be going back tonight thru Amsterdam Airport.
We bought bags fr Paris and some other stuffs that we can claim back VAT tax…
During our purchase they asked us want cash or credit back into card…i initially we opp for card for other shops and the sales girls from another store said..oh they might or might not return us
..is it true? In this case…what should i do? Should i asked them to pay me back in cash during when they asked me?
Helen Page says
Hi Jaime,
What you’ve been told is incorrect. When you get your refund in cash, they charge you an additional fee for this. For credit card refund, there’s no additional fee.
Just make sure your VAT form is completed and stamped by Customs. If you have time at the airport, you can go to the VAT refund company and they will process your VAT as a credit to your card. You must still send the form back to the VAT company. When the form is received you will get a credit to your account. If you don’t have time, just send the stamped documents back to the VAT company in the envelope provided. But before doing that, make sure you take copies of the documents just in case it goes missing in the mail.
Hope the above helps.
Kind regards,
Helen
Selin says
Hi Helen,
I purchased an item from Paris but will be leaving from Amsterdam. Since the VAT form will be sent out of Amsterdam airport to Paris, do I need to buy postage for the mailing?
Thanks!
Selin
Helen Page says
Selin,
When you bought your item in Paris, the shop would have given you a envelope with the address of the VAT refund company they work with. If you use this envelope, you don’t have to buy postage. The VAT form does not go back to Paris. If it’s Global Blue, it goes to their processing centre in Bratislava. If it’s Premier Tax Free, it goes to Ireland.
Make sure to take a copy of your VAT form (especially the Doc ID no.) before putting it in the mail.
Regards,
Helen
Selin says
Thank you!
Helen Page says
Most welcome.
Suzanne Olsen says
Hello
We are taking a cruise beginning and ending in Amsterdam, and visitingInverness/Loch Ness, Scotland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Liverpool, England; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Cork (Cobh), Ireland and Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium. Do all these countries have VAT? How much must we spend to qualify? And can we do our refund in one transaction, before leaving Amsterdam?
Helen Page says
Hi Suzanne,
Minimum spend for VAT refund in the countries you are visiting are:
UK – GBP 30
Ireland – EUR 30
Netherlands – EUR 50
Belgium – EUR 50
VAT refund is claimed at your final point of departure from the EU so in your case it is Amsterdam.
Regards,
Helen Page
Linda says
Hi Helen,
Not sure if you are still monitoring this blog post, however, i figured i’d give it a shot. This blog has been extremely helpful! My situation is I will be making purchases in London/Paris, and will be flying out of Amsterdam with a quick 1 day/night stop in Iceland before returning to the United States. I read that Iceland is not part of the EU. Therefore,
1) would I need to get my form stamped by Customs in Amsterdam and not Iceland?
2) My flight from Amsterdam to Iceland doesn’t leave until 10:15pm, custom wise I should be fine. However, in regards to Global Blu/Premier Tax some of their hours for processing refunds close around 8pm or so. As long as I get my forms stamped in Amsterdam, can I bring my forms to the Global Blue desk at the airport in Iceland and get a refund that way?
3) If I can’t get it processed at the Iceland Airport and need to send when i get back to the US, would I need to bring it to the USPS office and pay for it to be mailed back to the appropriate refund company processing location?
Thank you for your help!
Linda
Helen Page says
Hi Linda,
1. Amsterdam is your final point of departure from the EU, so this is where you get your Customs stamp and do your VAT refund.
2. When you purchase tax-free goods in Paris and London, you will be provided with VAT forms and self addressed envelopes for the VAT company. If the VAT company (e.g. Global Blue) desk at Schiphol Airport is closed, you can mail your forms back to Global Blue. Before doing that, make sure you:
(i) choose credit card as mode of payment and include your credit card number on the form, and
(ii) take a snap of the VAT form and invoice before putting them in the mail. Make sure the DOC ID no. is clear as this is important if you need to track the progress of your VAT refund online. If you send your forms back in the envelopes provided, you do not have to pay for the postage. The envelopes can be placed in the mailbox of the VAT company or any post box at the airport. It’s best to mail them in Europe as they get to the VAT company faster.
3. Although Global Blue is represented at Reykjavik Airport, they only accept forms that are issued in Iceland.
Hope the above helps,
Kind regards,
Helen
Linda says
Thank you Helen! You’ve been a great help and was very clear about what my options are. I’ve looked into this for a few days and couldn’t get a clear cut response. You’re the best!! Can’t thank you enough. 🙂
Helen Page says
Glad to help Linda. Happy shopping.
veronique de weichs, spiegel amsterdam 100% dutch says
hi helen I have a dutch design shop in Amsterdam and offer my customers a tax free form when they spend more than 50€. I do business with Easy Tax Free, but I sometimes get a request from a different intermediair (Vatfree). This is a bit strange since I don’t have the forms from this company. I guess the customers get their receipt stamped without the necessary form (I do get a digital copy of the receipt). Anyway, my question is: there are many intermediaires. Which one is best (offers the best rate) for my customers and for me?
Helen Page says
Hi Veronique,
Many shops and retailers outsource their VAT refund function to companies like Easy Tax Free, Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, etc. because they wish to offer their customers tax-free shopping, but don’t want to the administrative burden. Vatfree’s operating model is a little different to that of Easy Tax Free, Global Blue etc. The shopper can register online their Customs-stamped receipts (no forms required) from any shop directly with Vatfree. Vatfree will then chase up the VAT refund with the retailer, hence the requests that you have had.
Vatfree charges a service fee to the customer, based on a percentage of the purchase amount which you can see on their website.
Unfortunately I am not able to tell you which VAT company offers the best rate as this is subject to your negotiating with the VAT company concerned. You may wish to talk to a couple to find out. The major players in the Netherlands are Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, Easy Tax Free and Vatfree.
Regards,
Helen
Guisselle Rivera says
Hello Helen
I have a question i will goin on a trip to Paris/London/Amsterdam later this year. I can do the VAT return in every airport or just Amsterdam if i want the refun in cash????
Thanks in Advance
Helen Page says
Hi Guisselle,
VAT refund can only be done at your final point of exiting the EU, which in your case is Amsterdam. It’s the same rule for cash or credit card refund.
Regards,
Helen
Mohd says
Hi Helen,
I will travel to europe country end of this year & buy some handbags for my family. My question is, how to pack the handbang in luggage? Shoud i put them all in their own boxes, or can unbox them & put all together to save some space?
Thank you
Helen Page says
Hi Mohamed,
It’s okay to unbox the bags but leave the labels on. If you’re buying a few expensive bags, you’ll probably be asked to show them. Pack you luggage in such a way that your shopping is easily accessible.
Kind regards,
Helen
François says
Hi Helen thanks for all the information. I have one additional question, I will be leaving the EU going to a Schengen country (Iceland) so there should not be any passport checks, is there a different process in those cases?
Helen Page says
Hi François,
Iceland has signed up to the Schengen Agreement, but it is not in the EU. So when you fly from Schiphol (for example) to go to Iceland, you are leaving the EU and the above process applies.
Happy meandering.
Kind regards,
Helen
François says
Thanks, but the process you describe clearly refers to “after passport checks” as i said, there is no passport check between Schengen country, so I am confused
Helen Page says
There are customs validation desks for VAT refund Landside and Airside as follows:
– Landside (Departure Hall 3, Counter 30 near revolver Door B), and
– Airside (Lounge 3, between Global Blue and the ABN-AMRO ATM)
Option A:
If you are packing your purchases in your checked-in luggage, you’ll need to go to Departure Hall 3 to get your VAT form validated by Customs. The VAT companies like Global Blue and VatFree are here as well. After you’ve done your VAT claim you then proceed to the Schengen departure area which is Departure Hall 1.
Option B:
If you are hand-carrying your purchases, you proceed straight to the Schengen departure area. The Airside Customs validation desks are in Lounge 3. I believe you can move from Lounge 1 to Lounge 3 without restrictions, but I suggest you clarify this at the information desk first.
Schiphol is quite huge so allow yourself plenty of time to go between Departure Halls 1 and 3.
Hope the above is clearer.
Regards,
Helen
François says
thank you. the passport control part had me worried
Helen Page says
François,
The VAT arrangement arrangement does change from time to time so the important thing is to allow yourself plenty of time so if they say you have to go to X instead of Y, you’ll have time on your hands.
All the best,
Helen
Tina says
My last trip from Ámtesdam back to U.S was departure at 6:15 am on October 10th-2017
But the Custom at Shipol Airport open at 6:00 am
that’s why I can’t collect the stamp
can you help me the way how can I do for tax refund( cause the refund about over $500 )
Thanks a lot for your reply
Helen Page says
Tina, I emailed the people at Schiphol Airport who confirmed that the Customs desks are only open from 6 a.m. Between 10.00 pm and 06.00 am the Customs offices can be reached by telephone +31 (0) 88 158 3900. I suggest you phone them the day before your departure to confirm.
If you don’t manage to get your stamp on October 10th, you can ask your U.S. Customs to stamp the form. Explain to them that you need to prove that the goods have been exported from the EU (i.e. export validation). If you can’t get U.S. Customs to stamp your form, then your final option is to go to an EU embassy and ask them to do an export validation for you. If most of your purchases are from the Netherlands, then it makes sense to approach the Dutch embassy first. They will probably charge you for doing the export validation but as your refund is quite substantial, it would be worthwhile.
Good luck,
Helen
Tina says
Thanks so much for your reply,Helen!
Your info will help a lot people to get Vat refund
I bought expensive bag from Harrods, London (nothing in Netherlands). They gave me the GLOBAL BLUE tax form ( it completed all info including the my name ,my credit card number,my passport,.amount for refund…and just need a stamp from Shiplol Custom)
So,I read some info from the top..u recommend to travelers how to get tax refund from Global Blue (without stamp yet)
Now,can I bring all documents and the bag go to Local Us Custom or Notary Public ( I don’t know which one they accept) for stamp it , copy all stuff,then send it to Global Blue
I emailed to Global but they not reply
can you help me again
Thanks
Helen Page says
Hi Tina,
I’m sorry I didn’t read your original email properly and didn’t realize that you are already back home. As your purchase was made in London, I suggest you contact Global Blue and get their clarification if an overseas export validation is acceptable.
The U.K. Customs VAT Notification, says that “There is no facility to have your refund document stamped in your country of destination” and “Forms stamped outside the EC are not acceptable.”
I suggest you email or call Global Blue and get their advice on what to do. Please note that these people get lots of queries everyday so it may take a few days before you get a reply. You might want to phone them to get a quicker response.
http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/contact-us/
I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Kind regards,
Helen
Tina says
Hello Hellen,
Thank you for your quickly reply,
I’m very appricated the info you help me,
Btw,can you give me the Custom Shipol address,
and phone number,please
I called to Global blue,but he told me contact to Shiplol Custom first
Do you think the Shipol Custom will stamp the form if I send it to them ?
I think its so hard to do this
I don’t think I can get the tax refund,don’t know someone like my case can got the tax before for finally
Helen Page says
Tina,
Customs information as requested. The only people who can answer your question is Schiphol Customs.
Address:
Douane-Schiphol
Vertrekpassage 1 – 260, 1118 AP Schiphol
Postbus 3070, 6401 DN Heerlen
Tel: (088) 158 39 00
Fax: (020) 316 47 59
Tina says
Thanks Helen😁
Yen says
Hi Helen,
My flight leaves at 6:20 am from Turin and has 2hr45m layover at Amsterdam (arriving at 8:15am). Given that the Italian global blue office is not open at 6:20 am so I would have to claim VAT refund during transit in Schiphol, I acknowledged that there’s a Customs desk in Lounge 3 handling VAT refund but is it easy to find a way to it? Has anyone experience the similar scenario before? Please help…BIG THANKS!
Helen Page says
Hi Yen,
With 2h45m layover at Schiphol Airport, you’ll have sufficient time to do your VAT refund at Lounge 3. Global Blue says that they are at Gate F-3, next to Customs. Take a look at the attached map. You’ll need to find out where your Turin flight is landing to see how far you have to walk. Schiphol is a nice airport and easy to get around. Make sure you have your goods and VAT documents with you.
file:///C:/Users/Helen%20Page/Downloads/Airport_Guide_Departures%20(2).pdf
Kind regards,
Helen
François says
Hi Helen. One more question, just to validate. I assume the process is set to handle all European forms. One of my receipt for VAT refund is in Slovenian (the items are easy to determine and prove) do i need to worry?
Helen Page says
François, As long as you have a properly completed VAT form and receipt from the store you don’t have to worry. If asked, all you have to do is explain what the items are.
Regards,
Helen
Tracy says
Hi Helen,
I just bought an iPhone in Rotterdam and will leave the country by the end of December. The seller told me I can use the phone and get VAT refund if I leave the country within two months after the purchase. Is that the case? Thanks.
Helen Page says
Hi Tracy,
To get your VAT refund, the shop must provide you with a VAT form with all the purchase details. This form must be stamped by Customs within 3 months from date of purchase. The advice is to “Make sure the goods are sealed and unused”, but for electronics, you obviously have to be satisfied that the iPhone is working and in good order. Just keep the packaging so if you get asked to show the phone, you can show the packaging as well. Below is Premier Tax Free’s guide on how to shop tax free in the Netherlands.
https://premiertaxfree.com/how-shop-tax-free/netherlands
Kind regards,
Helen
Maxie says
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally, and I am stunned why this accident did not took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Vikash Gupta says
Hi Helen,
Your comments have been very helpful to understand the process. I have bought a bike (cycle) in France which is for roughly 3000 Euros. I aM flying from Amsterdam. I have got the tax free bill from Decathlon.
1) Can I get the tax refund at the Amsterdam airport?
2) Can i get that refund in cash, is there anything else I should to ensure the process is smooth?
Waiting for you help.
Helen Page says
Hi Vikash,
You must have a VAT refund form from Decathlon and this form must be stamped by Customs.
If Amsterdam is your last point of departure from the EU, then this is where you have your VAT claim processed.
You can get your refund in cash and the maximum refund is €1500.
Allow plenty of time as you’ll need to get your paperwork processed and then join another queue to get cash refund. Note there’s a fee payable for cash refunds.
Good luck with your refund.
Kind regards,
Helen
Lindsay Darnell says
Hello. I bought some purses from Amsterdam and am now headed to Switzerland for a week. I tried to get a stamp and was sent to passport office downstairs because value was too high (2000). Then downstairs they told me I have to get it when I leave? We fly from Zurich through Amsterdam to Detroit. We only have 1:50 layover in Amsterdam on the way home. We will have to go through customs too. I’m assuming we won’t have time to go all the way back to the F gates to get this stamp? I was told we needed to get it today since we aren’t staying in the EU just flying back through. The agent at the main desk said you’ll get it in France. He thought Geneva was in France. Then he refused to explain the process to me. Said I told your husband. Guess he just cost me $700.
Helen Page says
Hi Lindsay,
You appear to have had a lot of confusing advice. When you left Amsterdam for Switzerland, you were leaving the EU – Switzerland is not in the EU. So, your VAT claim should have been processed then.
On your trip home, you’ll need to try and get your form stamped by Dutch Customs. If you don’t have time to get to a VAT refund desk, that’s OK as you can submit your claim by mail.
If you fail to get your Custom stamp, the last option is to get your form verified by the Dutch Embassy in your home state. They’ll probably charge for this service, but based on your claim, it’ll be worth it.
Kind regards,
Helen Page
Lindsay Darnell says
I guess since the only Dutch Embassy is in Washington DC my husband and I are just out the $700. I guess they should train their employees with a geography lesson to tell them Geneva, Switzerland is not in the EU. Very frustrating. My refund would’ve been 643 Euros according to the Global Blue emails.
Thanks for your quick reply. I got it on the plane to Switzerland.
Helen Page says
Don’t give up Lindsay. Have a go at getting your Customs stamp at Schiphol on your way home.
Kind regards,
Helen
Eran says
Hello Helen.
I will be in Amsterdam at the end of the month and my flight back is at 7:00 am which means I will arrive at an airport at 4:00 am so I will not be able to access the customs offices & Global Blue offices because they are closed during these hour , what can I do to get a refund ?
And another question I have is are there 2 places I need to go ? , Customs offices and Global Blue or it’s just one place where the whole process is done thanks a lot.
Helen Page says
Hi Eran,
There are always Customs officers on duty for all flight arrivals and departures, but at 4.00 am, they may not be easily located. I suggest that when you arrive in Amsterdam you go to the Information desk at the airport and ask them where you will be able to get your Customs stamp at 4.00 in the morning.
As the Global Blue desk is not open at that time, you will need to send your stamped form back to Global Blue for them to process payment to your credit card. Don’t forget to include your credit card number on your VAT form. Before sending anything in the mail, remember to take a photo of the stamped VAT form, just in case it goes missing in the mail. The important information is the ID Number of the VAT form. You’ll need this number to track or follow up on your claim.
Happy shopping and best wishes for the holiday season.
Helen