Cry haddock

I have the 'tax free shopping' thing pretty much understood, and even get why getting your 21% VAT back works out as 17.36% off the sale price.
Now, if I make a purchase in one EU country, travel to another EU country, then home to Dubai - at which airport do I claim my VAT? Head says port of exit from the EU, heart says head is always wrong.
Waddya think?
CH

Slingshot

I would say you claim when you exit the country where you made the purchase.

admon

agreed, as it is VAT from that country that you are claiming the refund from.

Vimto

You can only reclaim VAT when you leave the EU, between EU countries there is an open boarders policy which means you can only reclaim when you leave the EU. You also have to show physically the goods you are exporting to the customs at the departing airport, together with the correct forms from the retailer (back of a fag packet invoice doesnt work)

Here is the UK Customs forms link with some FAQ
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/consumers-visitors.htm

admon

I would imagine that country 2 will be extremely reluctant to refund VAT from country 1, so if that is the case then the plan has to be to fly straight out from the country of purchase.

Cry haddock

Thanks for the thoughts - we'll see how it goes!
CH