Bringing Tools back from Germany

[paulsomlo]

I have a friend who's visiting Germany soon, I'd like to have her bring me back some tools.

I'm not sure that she'll be near any retail stores, so I'd like to order the tools online and have them shipped to the place she's staying at. The place in Germany where I would be ordering from, tells me that if the cost of goods is under $1000 EU, then customs only needs to see the invoice. They claim that the seller doesn't need to provide any other paperwork. I'm assuming that customs would provide any needed paperwork, and I would mail it back to the seller from the USA, then get a refund of the VAT.

Has anybody done this lately?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I bought stuff in Iceland and at the airport there was the little tax desk. They added up my receipts and totalled up our refund. It took like 6 weeks to go back on our credit card. But easy as pie.

I would think your way would work as well....

 

[gdocktor3]

Someone went through this not too long ago, but I cannot find the thread. Search around a bit between 2016-2017 time frame and if you find the thread, pm the op and see what he says.

 

[gahrajmahal]

It's something you do at the airport and can be easy or a complete PITA depending on the airport. You are going to give your friend the $$ saved from the VAT for lugging your purchases through the airport aren't you?

 

[rustyjames]

Also be careful with the baggage weight.

 

[paulsomlo]

I bought stuff in Iceland and at the airport there was the little tax desk. They added up my receipts and totalled up our refund. It took like 6 weeks to go back on our credit card. But easy as pie.

I would think your way would work as well....

Did they give you paperwork to send back to Iceland? Or did the people at the tax desk file it for you? And did you get a refund of the full VAT, or did the tax desk take a cut?