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    5 Tips to Traveling Tax Free

    Collin Quick•December 12, 2011
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    Frugal travelers not only love great deals on airfare, but they are always on the lookout for steals on the ground, too. One way to save money while traveling overseas is to make tax-free purchases at qualified retailers.

    Here are 5 tips for traveling tax-free.

    1. Look for signs: To find tax-free goods, shop at an authorized duty-free merchant. Look for signs or stickers in the store window that advertise tax-free shopping or Value-Added Tax refunds. Common tax-free providers are Global Blue and Premier Tax Free.

    2. Shop: Most countries have a minimum purchase requirement for goods to be tax-free. The purchase must be made in one store in one day and the minimum purchase fee varies by country. See below for the minimum fee in popular countries around the globe.

    3. Get your paperwork: In order to receive your refund, the store clerk must fill out the required tax forms. Make sure to ask for the forms at checkout. You might be required to show ID, so make sure to bring your passport with you.

    4. Get stamped: Once you are at the airport for departure, you must take your purchases to the customs office before you go through security. There, your tax forms will be stamped and you can pack your purchases in your luggage for check-in (except for in Australia, where all purchases except for wine and oversized items must be carried on).

    5. Get paid: There are couple ways to obtain your refund. After you have made it through security, you can visit a tax-free kiosk to receive an immediate refund. Or, you can pick up a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope at the merchant in which to mail your paperwork and receive a check. Note: refunds do not apply to items you have shipped home.

    Value-Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax Rates for Selected Countries

    Australia
    VAT/GST rate is 10 percent
    Wine Equalization Tax is 14.5 percent
    Minimum purchase is US $300 in a single store over a 30-day period

    France
    VAT/GST rate is 16.38 percent (19.6 VAT minus the administration fee)
    Minimum purchase is Euro175.01
    Average refund is 12 percent (after administration fee)

    India
    VAT/GST is 12.5 percent – no minimum purchase

    Indonesia
    VAT/GST is 10 percent
    Minimum purchase is 500,000 rupiah (US $55) on a single receipt

    Israel
    VAT/GST is 16 percent
    Minimum purchase is 360 new Shekels (US $100) on a single receipt

    Italy
    VAT/GST rate 21 percent
    Minimum purchase is Euro155 (US $217)

    Japan
    Consumption tax (equivalent to VAT) is 5 percent
    Minimum purchase is 10,001 Yen (US $119) in any single store on any given day
    Tip: Refund issued at store where purchase is made

    Korea
    VAT/GST rate is 10 percent
    Minimum purchase is 50,000 won (US $43) in total receipts

    Mexico
    VAT/GST rate is 16 percent (11 percent in border zones)
    Minimum purchase is 1,200 pesos (US $103)

    Singapore
    VAT/GST rate is 7 percent
    Minimum purchase is SGD100 (US $77) in any single store on any given day

    South Africa
    VAT/GST is 14 percent
    Minimum purchase is 250 rand (US $36) in total receipts

    Thailand
    VAT/GST is 7 percent
    Minimum purchase is 2,000 baht (US $66) on any given day and a total minimum of 5,000 baht (US $166)

    United Kingdom
    VAT/GST rate is 20 percent
    Minimum purchase is £30 (US $48)
    Administration fee is 5 percent

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    Posted In: Lifestyle, Travel Tips
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    updated: 2011-12-12T09:20:41+00:00