The process in Germany sounds very logical. All passengers should arrive at their airport of departure 3-4 hrs or more before their departing flight, especially when claiming VAT refund because of the possibility of extra long lines .
This also happened to me 10 years ago when I was leaving the Munich airport. Had to go through security after speaking with the Global Blue prior to security. Showed the Vuitton to them after security to get the form stamped.
In germany airports, if u tell them ur purchases r in checked in luggage, u need to get ur boarding passes then show ur purchase n check the bags in through a separate counter which is meant for those passengers who need to show their purchases n keep inside their checked luggages. For example you wont be handcarrying a moncler jacket that is newly purchased or a rimova luggage that you need tax refund on. They still need to see ur purchases. So what we need to show receipts then the officer will randomly ask to see few things, u need to make sure all have their boxes n paperbags.. then after customs chk, we throw all boxes and put the items into the luggage n check it in. Ur bags need to already be tagged by airline.
Just so that I understand. After collecting the boarding pass, we go to custom to submit the tax refund receipts - show the purchase -then proceed to check in the luggage at the counter? TIA
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I always travel via the Frankfurt Airport at least twice a year. If you say your items are in your check in, the customs officer before the immigrations will still ask you to see it. So you would not have skipped any steps had you said that. Sometimes I wear/ have used the items and they don’t mind that it’s not in the original packaging. I’m shocked that you say they send you to a random gate at the Berlin and Munich Airport. In Frankfurt the Global Blue counters are strategically placed before the check in (for those with items in their check in luggages) and immediately after the immigration ( for those with items in their hand carry) for each terminal. Unfortunately in theory you still have to show all the items especially if they’re designer. But there are times wherein I encounter officers who don’t check the items I bought from stores like Adidas. I hope you still get your refund!
thank you! I did get it, and thank you for sharing your experience at Frankfurt. Good to know what happens if you say it is in the checked luggage. The biggest difference is that there were 2 different counters I had to find. In the italy airport, there was just 1 so I was very thrown off 😆
You seem to have had quite the frustrating experience. However it is standard practice to get the custom stamp or clearance via automated kiosks either pre security for items in checked baggage and post security for carry-on items- at the last port of exit from the EU. Which would have been Munich in your case. Perhaps if you had handed your form to global blue it would’ve elimated the extra hassle
I moved to Germany to help my ailing oma. Im an American that gave up my 20 year career as a nurse to move to Germany. Let me just say the bureaucracy here is a NIGHTMARE NOBODY HAS THE ANSWER TO ASSIST YOU. EVERYONE SAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO STAY TO HELP MY OMA I CAN ONLY STAY IF I WORK. SO I F GOT A JOB THEN I WAS TOLD THAT JOB IS NOT ALLOWED I MUST FIND ANOTHER JOB THANK GOD I GOT A JOB IN A SENIOR CENTER. IM 99% SURE WHEN MY FAMILY PASSES IM MOVING BACK TO THE USA. ITS A DIFFERENT WORLD OVER HERE. AS A GAY MAN ITS TOO UNSAFE TO STAY HERE
France is brilliant. The store will do everything and you scan the form at the airport using a machine (no personal contact at all) which asks if you want the refund in card or cash. I always click card, so it just says goodbye and I keep the form. I'm guessing if you answer cash it directs you to the counter next to the machine which has a person sitting in there. It's so easy. I'm leaving Berlin in two days. My items will be in my hold, so I'll do everything after security. so I'll update you on the process.
The process in Germany sounds very logical. All passengers should arrive at their airport of departure 3-4 hrs or more before their departing flight, especially when claiming VAT refund because of the possibility of extra long lines .
This also happened to me 10 years ago when I was leaving the Munich airport. Had to go through security after speaking with the Global Blue prior to security. Showed the Vuitton to them after security to get the form stamped.
In germany airports, if u tell them ur purchases r in checked in luggage, u need to get ur boarding passes then show ur purchase n check the bags in through a separate counter which is meant for those passengers who need to show their purchases n keep inside their checked luggages. For example you wont be handcarrying a moncler jacket that is newly purchased or a rimova luggage that you need tax refund on. They still need to see ur purchases. So what we need to show receipts then the officer will randomly ask to see few things, u need to make sure all have their boxes n paperbags.. then after customs chk, we throw all boxes and put the items into the luggage n check it in. Ur bags need to already be tagged by airline.
Thank you for sharing!! Very helpful
Just so that I understand. After collecting the boarding pass, we go to custom to submit the tax refund receipts - show the purchase -then proceed to check in the luggage at the counter?
TIA
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I always travel via the Frankfurt Airport at least twice a year. If you say your items are in your check in, the customs officer before the immigrations will still ask you to see it. So you would not have skipped any steps had you said that. Sometimes I wear/ have used the items and they don’t mind that it’s not in the original packaging.
I’m shocked that you say they send you to a random gate at the Berlin and Munich Airport. In Frankfurt the Global Blue counters are strategically placed before the check in (for those with items in their check in luggages) and immediately after the immigration ( for those with items in their hand carry) for each terminal. Unfortunately in theory you still have to show all the items especially if they’re designer. But there are times wherein I encounter officers who don’t check the items I bought from stores like Adidas.
I hope you still get your refund!
thank you! I did get it, and thank you for sharing your experience at Frankfurt. Good to know what happens if you say it is in the checked luggage. The biggest difference is that there were 2 different counters I had to find. In the italy airport, there was just 1 so I was very thrown off 😆
You seem to have had quite the frustrating experience. However it is standard practice to get the custom stamp or clearance via automated kiosks either pre security for items in checked baggage and post security for carry-on items- at the last port of exit from the EU. Which would have been Munich in your case. Perhaps if you had handed your form to global blue it would’ve elimated the extra hassle
*preluxs* Bolsa réplica 1:1 con imagen reflejada, resistente y resistente al desgaste. Me gusta mucho
I moved to Germany to help my ailing oma. Im an American that gave up my 20 year career as a nurse to move to Germany. Let me just say the bureaucracy here is a NIGHTMARE NOBODY HAS THE ANSWER TO ASSIST YOU. EVERYONE SAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO STAY TO HELP MY OMA I CAN ONLY STAY IF I WORK. SO I F
GOT A JOB THEN I WAS TOLD THAT JOB IS NOT ALLOWED I MUST FIND ANOTHER JOB THANK GOD I GOT A JOB IN A SENIOR CENTER. IM 99% SURE WHEN MY FAMILY PASSES IM MOVING BACK TO THE USA. ITS A DIFFERENT WORLD OVER HERE. AS A GAY MAN ITS TOO UNSAFE TO STAY HERE
I'm sorry you had that experience :(
sounds so much like German Bureaucracy😅 Everyone has their role and they stick to it😅😅😅
Haha, I see, that’s how it is!
Oye sounds like a hassle my lady. No shopping in Europe for me. 😅😘😘😘Sandy
😂good idea 🥰
France is brilliant. The store will do everything and you scan the form at the airport using a machine (no personal contact at all) which asks if you want the refund in card or cash. I always click card, so it just says goodbye and I keep the form. I'm guessing if you answer cash it directs you to the counter next to the machine which has a person sitting in there. It's so easy. I'm leaving Berlin in two days. My items will be in my hold, so I'll do everything after security. so I'll update you on the process.