Anyone on Italy Switzerland trip claiming VAT refund?

[anonymousegirl]

I have a friend about to start the Italy Switzerland tour (tomorrow morning) and she bought lots of stuff and needs to get her VAT refund forms stamped. Since the tour ends in Zurich, they will have to do it as they leave Italy. But they leave by bus, so no way to get forms stamped.

Does anyone know how ABD handles this?

It looks like my friend might have to go back to Milan airport tomorrow morning before the trip officially begins.

 

[OKW Lover]

Good question! We're on the same trip in August so I'll be interested in hearing how it works for you. Somehow I suspect that ABD will have that covered.

 

[carpenta]

That is a good question.

 

[OKW Lover]

Somehow I suspect that ABD will have that covered.

Just to clarify, I don't think ABD will actually do anything for you but rather I think the guides will have already encountered this same question and probably can advise you during the trip.

 

[DisneyKevin]

ABD does not handle VAT information.

All paperwork must be done prior to leaving Italy and I have done some cursory research and I don't seem to be able to find a VAT office in Stresa.

I and sure one of your guides may be able to point you in the right direction, but it's looking like Milan may be the best bet.

 

[anonymousegirl]

ABD does not handle VAT information.

All paperwork must be done prior to leaving Italy and I have done some cursory research and I don't seem to be able to find a VAT office in Stresa.

I and sure one of your guides may be able to point you in the right direction, but it's looking like Milan may be the best bet.

That is what I thought. Of course, if she waits to talk with the guides, it will be too late to go to the airport. I think she is going to try to go out to the airport tomorrow morning before the trip starts.

 

[TXTransplant]

So, we just got back from Italy, and I made a couple of significant purchases. One deducted the VAT during the sale, letting me know that if I didn't submit the paperwork within a certain number of days, my credit card would be charged the difference. The other charged the VAT but gave me the paperwork to get it refunded to my cc.

Everyone was very clear that I HAD to get the paperwork stamped before I left Italy. It does not have to be mailed in Italy (although, postage should be pre-paid if it is). I got my stamp at the Florence airport. I have no idea if the train stations have this service. I was told that I could not get the stamp during our layover in Amsterdam. Based on my experience, it seems like your friend would need to go to the nearest airport before leaving Italy.

 

[carpenta]

If you deal in cash a lot of the time they "wave" the VAT

 

[Cousin Orville]

It looks like Milan Malpensa Airport is adopting a new Tax Free process called OTELLO. From my understanding it's a machine that scans the Tax Free form you get from the store and either gives you a green light which validates it (no need for a customs stamp) and immediately processes your refund or a red light in which case you have to do it the old way - get your stamp, then send it off.

For those in Stresa crossing over to Switzerland, I don't think there's a way. Even if you're in Milan for pre-nights, it would have to be a significant tax savings to warrant the time/money spent going to MXP airport for the refund.