Traveling abroad among countries a part of the European Union which includes a large number of countries from Belgium, to Ireland, to Sweden (check which countries are included in the EU when traveling abroad) has its temptations and perks in the shopping arena, such as purchasing from duty-free shops, or tax-free merchants within European Union (EU) airports.
What consumers know in the United States as sales tax, the European Union classifies as value added tax, or VAT. When traveling abroad with the EU, VAT will become a familiar percentage added to all purchased goods. Member countries within the EU are not able to reclaim any VAT on their purchases unless they are to be sent out to non-EU countries.
Claiming a refund requires that all consumers pay an items tax (EU-VAT) regardless of international status (this tax will vary in amount country to country), but by law, will be able to process a refund on their total EU-VAT amounts.
To utilize this refund system, initial payment of the sales tax (EU-VAT) is required and the amount will vary from country. Fortunately, and by law, non-EU resident shoppers can claim refund on all EU-VAT amounts.
A number of companies are available for utilization in making the refunded of EU-VAT a simple transaction requiring only that the consumer collect and save all receipts on good purchased in EU countries and visit customs before leaving the EU to collect an export validation stamp.
Goods exempt from VAT, in general, are childrens clothing and books. Full VAT-refunds can be had, but countries vary on the percentages that are able to be claimed, as well as having minimum purchase requirements on goods purchased.
For example, Premier Tax Free has relationships with over 70,000 worldwide retailers. Choose which company you want to handle your refund wisely and you can make tax free shopping for non-EU residents an easy transaction.
Discover all you want to know about tax free shopping by checking it out today. Take advantage of the chance to save money by enjoying some tax free shopping. Go online and find out all you want to know.
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