Really Stupid Vat Question

[randyksf]

If you are here on a B visa, what are odds of getting a VAT refund at the airport?

I get different answers from the VAT Girls, most say it should be no problem.

As you all know most Thai's will say yes when they have no idea and know it’s what you want to hear.

If that doesn’t work, would it be illegal to leave Thailand and comeback with a Tourist stamp. Even though I have the B Visa?

I am taking a trip to VN then going back to the US in a few weeks after that.

I am picking up some Jewelry so the refund will be around 10,000 baht.

Thanks all

[Roger13]

VAT Refunds are for Tourists.

If by leaving the Kingdom, your B Visa will expire

then I do not see any problem returning on a Tourist Visa.

In my experience the VAT Refunds service

in the Depature Lounge of Don Muang

is efficient & the process straight forward.

BUT - Vat refunds do have several Rules

regarding Amount & TIME limits.

And special VAT Invoices.

So do check the RULES

Roger

[jayrockwell]

Also In my experience trying to get an official VAT receipt from a family owned business (i.e. not robinson/tesco) will result in the addition of the 7% that you will later want to claim back, you may get a better deal by paying cash and getting an 'ordinary receipt', shop around.

J

[Axel]

Have a look in here, explained quite in detail:

http://www.rd.go.th/vrt/howwill.html

[tuky]

I do not know how this works, but I did want to bring it up just in case it effects you.

A friend of mine bought some electronic equipment for which he claimed the VAT on his way out, then at his destination he didn't declare that he was over the $/£ limit for bringing stuff into the destination country.

Because he claimed the VAT there was a record of what he had taken out of the country of origin, which my guess is was flagged on the customs database at his destination. He was pulled aside and it ended up costing him more due to the destinations higher tax %.

Just something to think about.

[Axel]

A friend of mine bought some electronic equipment for which he claimed the VAT on his way out, then at his destination he didn't declare that he was over the $/£ limit for bringing stuff into the destination country.

No, tukyleith, they are not that much connected. May be your friend was on a random-control and they found the paper-receipt. That's actually, what customs is trained for.

Different story, if you buy something in France, claim at the highway for EU-refund and enter Switzerland. The two country's offices are less than 30 yards away.

[randyksf]

Axle thanks for the link...

The funny thing is that the website only said that you can not be in country for more than a 180 days per calendar year. It really said nothing about Visas.

Tuk...

As to the not calming I am not to worried about that. I will mail the appropriate documents for papers and things like that in my bi weekly UPS package home. It would be kind of silly to have all the packings for your stuff in your bags. Thanks for the heads up though.

To Roger13

I know its for Tourists but I have not heard anyone say convulsively that on B visa you can or can't get a refund.

I have done the VAT refund b4 it was quick and simple on a 30 day stamp.

Thanks all..