Some experience in Italy to share...

[pegasi]

Hi need some help. My wife and I will be traveling to Italy then to paris and flying back from Switzerland. Since Switzerland is not a EU country I cannot get my custom stamps for my purchases made in Italy and Paris. I'm taking a train from Paris to zurich and is told there are no customs office at the train station in Paris. So where should I go to get my stamps in Paris? Can someone please advise. Thanks because I heard without the stamps Switzerland will not allow me to claim.

As far as I know, you cannot get the stamps at a train station that is not located at the border. That explains why there is no customs office at the Paris station. I think you have to find out if there is a stop at the border and if there is a customs office there, and then check the train schedule to see whether there is time for you to get the stamps there and then re-board the same train or wait for the next train.

Would be good if you could share later if the above works for you or if you manage to find another option

[Jonas]

Thx for sharing

[jackjack]

Find this thread super relevant and useful. All the tricks are still being use by them. ..
Friendship band... com'on..
Just another note: beware of a group of children in metro and woman with baby pram too....

If anyone know where I can get the custom stamps in paris other than airport... do let me know.
And if I make the decision to go paris airport to get the custom stamp, do you think they can help me stamp because im not flying off from paris and wont be in the transit area. The custom stamps office are before check in or after?

Appreciate your help. Btw... my target is a milgauss by the end of the year

[praha335ci]

Hi need some help. My wife and I will be traveling to Italy then to paris and flying back from Switzerland. Since Switzerland is not a EU country I cannot get my custom stamps for my purchases made in Italy and Paris. I'm taking a train from Paris to zurich and is told there are no customs office at the train station in Paris. So where should I go to get my stamps in Paris? Can someone please advise. Thanks because I heard without the stamps Switzerland will not allow me to claim.

Your travel situation is quite complicated with regards to obtaining a VAT refund. What I can recommend is to approach the global blue counter at Galleries Lafayette and ask them regarding obtaining a cash refund there and then if its is possible.

Otherwise there is a currency exchange and also transfer shop on 79 avenue Champs Elysees that can provide a cash refund in Paris there and then for a small administrative charge but there are also requirements to send them back the stamped customs form. From memory its called international exchange group and its a small shop.I've used their services quite a while ago but flew out of CDG and had to send them back the paperwork.Heres the site:
http://www.paris-fun-romantic-vacati...duty-free.html


If you are unable to get the customs stamp when you return to your home country you need to approach and Italian or French embassy with your goods; passport; VAT forms; airline ticket and ask them for a export validation stamp.They will apply a admin charge as well. With the export validation stamp stating that the goods have been taken out of the EU , Global blue can proceed.

[WaTchPrOpheT]

so laid back & everyday is valentine time.. talented Ripley

[JuveZzZ]

thanks for the information

[sulecca]

Thanks for the wonderful info!

[jackjack]

Your travel situation is quite complicated with regards to obtaining a VAT refund. What I can recommend is to approach the global blue counter at Galleries Lafayette and ask them regarding obtaining a cash refund there and then if its is possible.

Otherwise there is a currency exchange and also transfer shop on 79 avenue Champs Elysees that can provide a cash refund in Paris there and then for a small administrative charge but there are also requirements to send them back the stamped customs form. From memory its called international exchange group and its a small shop.I've used their services quite a while ago but flew out of CDG and had to send them back the paperwork.Heres the site:
http://www.paris-fun-romantic-vacati...duty-free.html


If you are unable to get the customs stamp when you return to your home country you need to approach and Italian or French embassy with your goods; passport; VAT forms; airline ticket and ask them for a export validation stamp.They will apply a admin charge as well. With the export validation stamp stating that the goods have been taken out of the EU , Global blue can proceed.

Ok... im in zurich now. And I took a train from paris to zurich..no.custom officer is there to give me the custom stamp. This is what I intend to do. I'm going to take a train to konstanz germany in the morning from zurich to get my stamp. I hope it can be done will.report if I'm successful.

Lesson learnt: last country back to singapore cannot be swiss since swiss is not part of EU! =×_€=¥_÷/#*^#¥

[jackjack]

Just come back from konstanz germany. Back in zurich now.
Went there by train in the morning, took an hour plus ride from zurich.
Went to the custom office to get the custom stamps. No queue and done in less than 5 minutes.

Officer took a look at the goods and stamp it. A global blue was there for me to take back the cash in full without holding the cc details too.
Smooth fast and good. Premium was there too

[tyongchi]

Travel to nearby places like Bologna, Verona, Torino or even Rome (magical place..) to experience Italian food and culture.

Just back from Italy trip. If you are in the Tuscany region, try Acquacheta at Montepulciano. The Florentina Steak is very good. So far, I have not tried any better yet. And it's reasonably priced too - 30 euro per kg. Not to forget the truffle too - in season now.

[angsu]

I studied in Milan for 6 months. It's a love-hate relationship with the city.

Don't bother about good Italian culture in Milan. It's merely a business city.

Travel to nearby places like Bologna, Verona, Torino or even Rome (magical place..) to experience Italian food and culture.

Bro, between Bologna, Verona and Torino, which one is nicer? I will be travelling from Milan.

[leowgeorge]

thanks for sharing

[@cery]

Bro, between Bologna, Verona and Torino, which one is nicer? I will be travelling from Milan.

My vote goes to Torino.
However, i would also highly recommend a trip to Florence and the nearby Tuscany region.
The city is simply magical unlike Milan which is just another cosmopolitan.

Tuscany has some of the best wine and cooking traditions in Italy!

[Hoff]

Thanks for sharing the great info!

[breitlin1884]

never change money at venice
they will give you a very good rate , take your money and then short change you about 20%
the loss goes to their 'admin fee'