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What should I know
about shopping abroad?
Shopping abroad, what does Caveat Emptor
mean?
What is a VAT tax?
How can I avoid paying the VAT tax?
Where can I find information, from the
countries themselves, about regulations concerning purchases made
in their country?
What are some helpful hints for dealing
with Customs Officials?
How can I get help in understanding
all the U.S. Customs Service regulations?
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What should I know about shopping
abroad?
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In many countries of the world, negotiation
on the price of an item is appropriate and often expected.
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Satisfaction guaranteed is much more widely
practiced in the United States. Make sure you are familiar with
their return and exchange policies.
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Many countries do not enforce copyright
laws, the logo you see may have nothing to do with the company
it represents to you. Check to see if the item is a fake.
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Some items for sale may need a special license
for export. This is especially true for antiques, works of art
or other items of cultural significance.
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Taxes can make up an even larger percentage
of the purchase price than you will find in the United States.
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Duty free may only mean the items are free
from duty where they are sold. U.S. Customs have their own guidelines
for taxation when you return.
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Shopping abroad, what does Caveat
Emptor mean?
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It means the buyer beware. Remember that merchants
know that putting up a duty free sign often means bargain to many.
There are some great buys to be had, but make sure your purchases
are good values. Stick with brand names you know and make sure
those brand names are spelled right on the product. In other words,
make sure it’s not a fake. Also, duty free may just mean it is
duty free where you are buying it. U.S. Customs have their own
guidelines for taxation when you return.
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What is a VAT tax?
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VAT stands for Value Added Tax, and it is
a form of sales tax that is assessed in many countries and is
especially common in Europe. In many cases, this tax is a large
percentage of the purchase price and sometimes can be refunded
to foreigners who are exporting the item outside of the country
of origin.
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How can I avoid paying the VAT
tax?
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You can't usually avoid paying it up front,
but you can often have the tax refunded to you after you leave
the country. The item must be taken out of the country and cannot
be consumed inside the country if you are to receive a refund.
Therefore, you will probably have to pay the VAT tax on some
items and be able to get a refund on the items you are bringing
home as souvenirs. Read the following suggestions for help on
getting some of your VAT tax payments back.
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Check with each country you are visiting
since refund procedures and policies can differ.
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Find out where the refund forms are available,
you may be able to request them from the country's embassy,
tourist office, customs office or airport.
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Take your passport with you when you go
shopping to verify your foreign status to merchants.
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Arrive early at the Airport to allow for
plenty of time for the VAT paperwork to be completed.
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Don't check luggage with items that may
need to be inspected for a VAT refund.
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Pack your luggage so the items you want
to be inspected are easily accessible.
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Make sure you receive the proper inspection
and stamp for your paperwork from the customs officer before
you leave the country.
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Where can I find information,
from the countries themselves, about regulations concerning purchases
made in their country?
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Go To: Embassy
Links
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This page contains links to many foreign countries?
Embassies and Consulate Offices located in the United States.
Each Embassy's web site is different, but they all contain contact
information and other helpful information for anyone planning
on visiting their country.
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What are some helpful hints
for dealing with Customs Officials?
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If you are taking foreign-made or expensive
items with you on your trip, register them with U.S. Customs
before you leave. Otherwise, if you can't prove you already
owned them, you may be charged a tax on those items when you
return. You can register items with Customs by their serial
numbers or use itemized receipts, detailed insurance policy
information or jeweler's appraisals.
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Know the amounts of arrival and departure
taxes you'll be responsible for paying at Customs.
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Leave plenty of time for the Customs process.
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Know the restrictions on carrying foods,
plants and animals across the border.
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Log your purchases and keep the receipts
of your purchases made abroad.
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Pack so it is easy to inspect your items.
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Immediately follow the requests for cooperation
from Customs Officials. Customs Officials generally have special
powers to guard a country's borders and can enforce strict penalties
if you refuse to cooperate.
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How can I get help in understanding
all the U.S. Customs Service regulations?
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www.customs.ustreas.gov
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The U.S. Customs Service homepage.
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www.customs.treas.gov/travel/know.htm
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The U.S. Treasury Department Customs Service's
Traveler Information, Know Before You Go web page. This site contains
information on U.S. Custom's declarations, duty free exemptions,
prohibited and restricted articles and the procedures for shipping
items back to the U.S.
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www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/travel.htm
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The U.S. Customs Service Traveler Information
web page. This site contains links to the services the U.S. Customs
Service provides to travelers; some of these web sites are also
individually linked to this web page for your convenience.
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Section: DOCUMENTATION
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