Not paying VAT?
I remember this topic coming up on the BiuBiu FB page a while ago and they said it was impossible and that everyone had to pay. I just read a post on the Lingerie Addict where they said if you live overseas you shouldn't have to pay. Are there any companies that take VAT charges off?
Filed under Bra news
Kiss me deadly is the only company I've come across that takes off VAT. The VAT amount should be listed on your receipt, and there is a process to get refunded. I've never tried it, though, so I can't say exactly how much of a hassle it is.
I buy mostly from France, which used to be (and perhaps still is) the world's top tourist destination by numbers so there is more awareness there of the VAT thing. Even small brick and mortar stores that also sell online, often offer an option whereby you can register yourself as an overseas customer and then you can either remove the VAT at checkout, or in some cases their site automatically shows all the prices without VAT. I've seen some UK retailers do the same, mostly high fashion type businesses. I feel like Lingerie Addict, where the focus is more on luxury lingerie, may have an abundance of Western European and/or very high-end brands on their books--so this represents the bulk of their experience and these are also the brands most likely to take care of VAT for you. Small mom n pop businesses may not deal with it and perhaps Poland, whcih is just now emerging as an export player thanks to its fashion production, is also late to the game.