I have read all the official rules and requirements re tourists claiming the VAT refund at airport. And I know Thai refund staff may want to inspect the product when you are making a claim.

But there is no mention in the rules as to what happens if you have already opened the product and used it, or altered it in any way. For example a laptop computer with your files on board, or even an electric shaver full of stubble hehe?

Does anyone know if the product your claiming the refund on, does it have to be UNUSED, still in its original packaging? Any ideas?

I am not 100% sure but the few times they actually checked, they never said anything about the product not being in its original wrapping (I always get rid of wrapping/boxes to save space).

A few years back they inspected my newly bought watch, which was around my wrist. As long as you have the product with you and can be identified it should be ok. At least in my experience.

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I am not 100% sure but the few times they actually checked, they never said anything about the product not being in its original wrapping (I always get rid of wrapping/boxes to save space).

Yes --same here with a couple of Apple products I bought

What surprised me was that I produced and got signed off-- all the paperwork- and they just glanced a look in a bag they were in--- in a booth before immigration--- { is that normal in other airports ?? } then collected the V.A.T airside--nobody in the line waiting to get the refund was asked to show their Duty Free-

Not that I could be bothered--- but going on that scenario-- if that's the normal way --someone could buy a duty free product--- then give or sell it duty free to a friend who lives in Thailand at the airport -before going through immigration and collecting the V.AT--

Surley they must be awake to that ??---or am I missing something too obvious--???

It would not be worth the hassle to most people anyway---end of my Ramble

Edited February 10, 201412 yr by Bucko

I claimed a refund about 5 years ago for a Sony Computer that I had loaded software and been using for more than a month. There was no issue about the use, but the time difference between purchase and departure was the critical thing they looked at,

A bit like if you buy the Diamond ring and it's on the GF finger and you are both departing, it is being used, but I am sure they would not treat this any different.

Surely you are expected to "use" the product before leaving the country to establish there are no warranty issues ? [that's another story !]

of course u can use it. the only thing that matters is that the product LEAVES thailand and u have the invoice to prove u bought it here.

of course u can use it. the only thing that matters is that the product LEAVES thailand and u have the invoice to prove u bought it here.

But the way the system works here the product does not have to leave Thailand... They want to look at the item BEFORE you check your bag at thier office at the entrance of the departure level... So you could have a friend go with you to the airport... Show the item to customs guy he stamps your paperwork... Friend gets the item (stays in Thailand) you continue thru customs to the refund desk and get the refund and leave the country

I have taken Vat refund many times, not even once they asked me to show them the item. Just go to their counter give the form, they will stamp it and give it to you. Then when you are in duty free area show the stamped form to them again with your passport and they refund the Vat to you.

The reason that inspection is before immigration is that for a big item you may need to have it in checked in baggage, so it would not be much good having the inspection point after immigration.

Last month I took an expensive watch out that I bought for my wife in Bangkok. I showed the piece of paper to the first counter prior to check-in at Swampy and they asked to see the watch. I didn't have the original box, but it was all wrapped up in tissues. I got them halfway unwrapped and the bloke said it was okay and he stamped my form.

After check-in and immigration I went to the refund desk in departures and they also asked to see the watch. As soon as the face was visible the lady said that was okay and gave me the money.

At no time did they take it from me to examine it and check the serial number against the receipt. I could have done it with a fake.

The watch/receipt was a month old when I did this. There is a time limit as well, six or eight weeks if I remember correctly.

Just need to sneak it back in now on my return journey!

The reason that inspection is before immigration is that for a big item you may need to have it in checked in baggage, so it would not be much good having the inspection point after immigration.

You may have a point there Woody----but I for one would not put anything of value in my checked baggage----unless of course you mean "along with" of course-- if it is a large item---but there again freight cost/insurance may come into play ??

Bucko

Edited February 11, 201412 yr by Bucko

The one time I did a VAT refund at the airport was for some jewelry....they did want to glance at the jewelry before approving the refund.

- every time I've done a VAT refund claim, the item has been "used", and I have not had problems.

- once (out of close to 10? 20? claims over the years) the staff actually tallied my serial number - and only for one item. when that matched, they waved me through with everything. I suspect they operate on the combination of "random sampling" and "does this guy look like a tax cheat?". Maybe their long experience on the job has given them an unerring ability to detect dishonesty

- there is an official time limit to how old the purchase is. this is not always enforced.

- considering there's "handling fees" imposed, it's not quite a loss-making operation for them, I'd imagine?