Shopping and Shipping

Travelers will find a great variety of items in Spain: ceramics, jerwelry, suede and leather goods, designer clothing, shoes, fans, handicrafts, antiques, art objects, etc. Many shops and all major department stores will ship goods to the United States for a fee. If purchases have to be shipped home, the following recommendations should be kept in mind:

1) Receipts should be obtained from the store indicating the merchandise bought and exact amount paid. These receipts should also indicate how much has been paid for packing, shipping and insurance.

2) shipping costs usually indicate only the expenses as far as a port or airport in the U.S.A. There are additional charges to be paid here for customs, port handling and forwarding to the final destination.

3) If the purchase has been insured, the store should give the buyer the name and address of the insurance company. The tourist should be aware that the company must, in turn, send an inspector to evaluate any damages caused in shipping. The inspector's fee must be paid by the owner of the merchandise. The tourist should also be aware that this cost may run higher than the actual price paid for the merchandise.

Taxes and Tax Free Shopping

A 7 percent V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) tax is added to rates for all restaurants and hotel rooms. Service is included. This 7% V.A.T. tax on services is not refundable.

GETTING YOUR V.A.T. BACK. Travelers whose country of residence is outside of the European Union may request a reimbursement of the V.A.T. sales-tax (Value Added Tax, IVA in Spain) they pay on all purchases as long as the purchases add up to no less than 90.15 Euros (approximately $99.00) in the same store, on the same day. You need to request a form for your sales-tax refund at the shop. The paperwork is simple; to obtain the refund, you must do the following:

1) Ask for a tax-free receipt of purchase, for which you need to show a valid proof of foreign residency (passport).

The vendor must provide the purchaser with a duly filled out invoice which includes the price of each good, the V.A.T. paid for each item, as well as the identification (name and address) for both vendor and purchaser. The goods must be brought out of the European Union within three months from the date of purchase.

2) Show your purchases, and seal the tax-free goods in customs. You have three months from the time of purchase to seal your goods.

At the time of departure from Spain and final departure from the European Union territory, and before checking in your baggage, you must bring your invoice(s) and the merchandise purchased to the Spanish Customs in order for them to process your V.A.T. refund claim (there is a specific booth for this purpose just prior to the entrance to the international area at the international port, gate or airport). The Customs Officer will process the original invoice, and the passenger should return this invoice(s) to the corresponding vendor(s). The vendor(s) is responsible for issuing the V.A.T. refund (although, usually, the processed or stamped invoice can be turned in at an authorized refund-processing bank or company in the airport for reimbursement). This V.A.T. claim will only be processed when Spain is the final point of departure from the European Union, otherwise, this claim must be processed in the country of your final departure from the European Union (and always before leaving Spain or the EU).

3) Ask for the refund at the authorized refund-processing company. These companies have IVA refund offices at all major airports in Spain. You can get your refund in cash, or credit it back to your credit card.

You might also find it convenient to reclaim your tax through Global Refund Tax Free Shopping, a service offered by major retailers worldwide. For further information on its procedures you may visit http://www.globalrefund.com.