Tax-free (or not!) iPad2 - Schiphol

[GuyCalledPete]

I'm living in Belgium, and flying outside of the EU shortly. I'll be flying via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport...

I was thinking of buying an iPad2 on the way out, and queried the pricing via their online site. They offer it at €459 - and considering I can buy it from a regular retailer in Belgium at €479 (including 21% tax!) I queried their pricing.

Their reply?
"The electronic shops are from 1996 not tax free anymore"

This is the first I've heard of this - does this just apply to Amsterdam Schiphol or is this an EU-wide policy? If I fly from other airports in the future, will I be able to buy electronics tax-free, or is this now impossible?

-- Pete.

 

[jojoba]

There isn't tax free shopping within EU. If you're flying outside of the EU, I think you need to pay the tax and then re-claim it on electronics - alternatively if you pass through security first to a non-Schengen departure area, you might find tax free shops there.

 

[GuyCalledPete]

I said "and flying outside of the EU shortly".

This was also mentioned in my mail to the airport shops when they gave me their pricing and tax information.

-- Pete.

 

[NutsNGum]

Well, rather than being pissy with someone who tried to help you, why don't you phone the relevant authorities and ask them if this information is correct?

They're far more likely to be able to assist you than people on an internet message board.

 

[jojoba]

I said "and flying outside of the EU shortly".

This was also mentioned in my mail to the airport shops when they gave me their pricing and tax information.

-- Pete.

Have you passed the Schengen passport control? There definitely won't be any tax free before that point. It's not only about where you're going, it's about where in the airport you're physically located.

 

[GuyCalledPete]

Well, rather than being pissy with someone who tried to help you, why don't you phone the relevant authorities and ask them if this information is correct?

They're far more likely to be able to assist you than people on an internet message board.

I wasn't being "pissy", I was just clarifying that I am travelling outside the EU, so it's not necessary to state that tax-free purchasing doesn't apply to flights within the EU. I knew that if I didn't then I'd get a ton of replies stating exactly that.

As for phoning 'the relevant authorities', I'm curious whether you're suggesting I phone every tax authority in Europe to find out their airport policies? I've stated that this is the case in Schiphol Airport (after already asking 'the relevant authorities' there), and I'm just asking whether it's the case in 'other' (generic, not specifc) airports throughout Europe for future reference.

I figured that at least some people on this forum have probably travelled through European airports at some point, and some of those might know whether there are great tax-free deals available on Apple electronics in those airports.

-- Pete. (and yes, this time I am being "pissy" - but I figure you deserve it more than the other guy)

 

[ThatsMeRight]

I have flown via Schiphol Airport two times this year (once to the Middle-East and once within Europe (but not officialy in the EU), and yes, there is tax free shopping. I remember seeing tax-free iPad nanos. I don't believe they sell iPads at any of the stores at Schiphol. Also, remember, not all stores will be open if you fly at night: only certain section.

If you are planning to buy an iPad at Schiphol, make sure they actually sell them and that you know where to get them. Schiphol is huge, and looking for the right store can take a lot of time... (time you might not have).

In both cases I was able to do some tax-free shopping.

 

[NutsNGum]

Apologies.

 

[robbieduncan]

I have noticed similarly poor pricing from Dixons "Tax Free" (now renamed Dixons Travel to avoid the confusion) in Heathrow. They are offering a tax free price off RRP. But on most products this is actually not a good price. My Dad is buying a Fiji X10 and it's possible to get more than 20% (the current VAT rate) off by buying online.