If I purchase some gifts from Finland (phone, ipad etc) and take it abroad (outside EU) unopened, is it true that I can claim some tax back from it at the airport? If yes, what are the conditions and what is the procedure to claim that?
Thanks.
Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
Re: Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
You can't reside in Finland or your RP is expiring. http://www.globalblue.com/destinations/ ... n-finland/sky2 wrote:If I purchase some gifts from Finland (phone, ipad etc) and take it abroad (outside EU) unopened, is it true that I can claim some tax back from it at the airport? If yes, what are the conditions and what is the procedure to claim that?
Thanks.
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Visa is for visiting, Residence Permit for residing.
Visa is for visiting, Residence Permit for residing.
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betelgeuse
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Re: Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
It is true for non EU residents. For the airport you would use an agent:sky2 wrote:If I purchase some gifts from Finland (phone, ipad etc) and take it abroad (outside EU) unopened, is it true that I can claim some tax back from it at the airport? If yes, what are the conditions and what is the procedure to claim that?
http://www.globalblue.com/destinations/ ... n-finland/
A shop can also choose to handle it themselves.
https://www.vero.fi/fi-FI/Yritys_ja_yht ... ketoiminta
Re: Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
As said above, you have to be resident in a non EU country.
You can use either the common TAXFree system (there used to be Taxfree shopping vouchers, now it seems to be this Global blue). You buy the things (VAT inclusive), keep them sealed and collect vouchers or whatever they give. When exiting EU (in Helsinki or a transit place, depends on your flight) you show your items give your vouchers and get the euros back. However, you do not get full VAT but admin costs are deducted.
If you buy a more expensive item or many items in one place, for instance I have used Stockmann, you can use their export service. You have to check with their export service how it works nowadays, but previously one went around the store, took the items to the cashier and said the name and that it is via export service. They will take them to the export service on the 8th floor. After having done the shopping, go to the export service, pay (without VAT) and give the details. They add some expenses for the freight. Then one would pick up the items at the airport service (a counter at the basement of the airport arrival section), and take them to the customs who stamp the export papers. then check in with the parcel. But I don't know if this system works anymore, it was quite brilliant.
You can use either the common TAXFree system (there used to be Taxfree shopping vouchers, now it seems to be this Global blue). You buy the things (VAT inclusive), keep them sealed and collect vouchers or whatever they give. When exiting EU (in Helsinki or a transit place, depends on your flight) you show your items give your vouchers and get the euros back. However, you do not get full VAT but admin costs are deducted.
If you buy a more expensive item or many items in one place, for instance I have used Stockmann, you can use their export service. You have to check with their export service how it works nowadays, but previously one went around the store, took the items to the cashier and said the name and that it is via export service. They will take them to the export service on the 8th floor. After having done the shopping, go to the export service, pay (without VAT) and give the details. They add some expenses for the freight. Then one would pick up the items at the airport service (a counter at the basement of the airport arrival section), and take them to the customs who stamp the export papers. then check in with the parcel. But I don't know if this system works anymore, it was quite brilliant.
Re: Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
I thought they (Stockmann) just sealed the bags and you took them yourself to the airport. But then the problem is you have to repack your suitcase or take the goods as carry-on bags. Not so easy nowadays, due to the weight restrictions/number of bags being enforce.
I've known the queues at HEL airport to be quite long, so you need to allow extra time for getting the refund.... Once we had to leave without our refund because our flight was boarding.
I've known the queues at HEL airport to be quite long, so you need to allow extra time for getting the refund.... Once we had to leave without our refund because our flight was boarding.
Re: Claiming VAT refund while going abroad
Sealing is linked to the tax free voucher system where you claim the VAT afterwards. If you use the export service (and if it still works, since I have not used it for ages), there you do not initially pay the VAT and you do not need to claim for refund, but you receive the items only at the border (airport), have to take them through the customs with a filled in custom form. More cumbersome and work only when you are buying something more expensive.