Tax refund when leaving India

RedSwordfish · Mar 1st, 2008, 10:25

Hello my friends,

is there a possibility to get the VAT (on items bought in India) back when I leave the country? If yes, do I have to claim it at the airport?

Thanx

shashank.aggarwal · Mar 1st, 2008, 11:21

why do you expect to get the VAT back ?..its just like the sales tax..everyone has to pay it..

RedSwordfish · Mar 1st, 2008, 11:27

In most countries (e.g. whole Europe, Australia, USA) the VAT tax can be claimed by non-citizens when leaving the country. It's called tax refund or cash back.

I heard it is also possible in India.

shashank.aggarwal · Mar 1st, 2008, 11:40

oh..this is something new to me..I am sure other learned members would have some knowledge about this..

Nick-H · Mar 1st, 2008, 14:26

Yes, I've done this when bringing stuff from UK to India, they have a special counter at Heathrow. It is outsourced, so they charge you a percentage handling charge, but at least you get some back.

However, the process begins in the shop, where they will register your claim and give you documentation to produce at the airport. You cannot just turn up at the counter with a list of the stuff you bought. It is, consequently, only available at shops that operate the scheme, and you will see Tax-Free Shopping advertised by them.

I never heard of such a scheme in India.

Oh, wait... of course I did!

It's called paying in cash and not being charged the tax in the first place! Many shops operate that scheme.

.

shashank.aggarwal · Mar 1st, 2008, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

It is, consequently, only available at shops that operate the scheme, and you will see Tax-Free Shopping advertised by them.

I have not come across any such shop in India..or atleast I do not remember the same..

Bombay_Bill · Mar 1st, 2008, 18:02

Claiming any tax back in India will usually be impossible.

Whatever documentation you have will always be wrong...

Nick-H · Mar 1st, 2008, 18:07

Oh! Sorry, yes... I must have imagined it.

I've certainly forgotten now!

Mar 1st, 2008, 10:25	#1
RedSwordfish Mango-Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 94	Tax refund when leaving India Hello my friends, is there a possibility to get the VAT (on items bought in India) back when I leave the country? If yes, do I have to claim it at the airport? Thanx

Mar 1st, 2008, 11:21	#2
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,173	why do you expect to get the VAT back ?..its just like the sales tax..everyone has to pay it.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Mar 1st, 2008, 14:26	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,853	Yes, I've done this when bringing stuff from UK to India, they have a special counter at Heathrow. It is outsourced, so they charge you a percentage handling charge, but at least you get some back. However, the process begins in the shop, where they will register your claim and give you documentation to produce at the airport. You cannot just turn up at the counter with a list of the stuff you bought. It is, consequently, only available at shops that operate the scheme, and you will see Tax-Free Shopping advertised by them. I never heard of such a scheme in India. Oh, wait... of course I did! It's called paying in cash and not being charged the tax in the first place! Many shops operate that scheme. . __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Mar 1st, 2008, 18:02	#7
Bombay_Bill In UK Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Scarborough and Bombay Posts: 43	VAT on leaving India Claiming any tax back in India will usually be impossible. Whatever documentation you have will always be wrong...

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Mar 1st, 2008, 11:27	#3
RedSwordfish Mango-Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 94	In most countries (e.g. whole Europe, Australia, USA) the VAT tax can be claimed by non-citizens when leaving the country. It's called tax refund or cash back. I heard it is also possible in India.

Mar 1st, 2008, 11:40	#4
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,173	oh..this is something new to me..I am sure other learned members would have some knowledge about this..

Mar 1st, 2008, 18:07	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,853	Oh! Sorry, yes... I must have imagined it. I've certainly forgotten now!

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