Paris Travel Answers

Hi Franncis,
I claimed VAT tax often & am glad to share my experience here. I've checked Galeries Lafayette website just now, for up-to-date info.

Note that I don't shop anymore so haven't claimed détaxe since 2004 or so. But this is how I did it until then:
For "détaxe" purposes, I centered purchases in Galeries Lafayette and at the end of trips --- one-time procedures at store & more likely to reach the amount of purchases required to be entitled to "détaxe".

Below is Galeries Lafayette website/détaxe section. Couldn't find an English translation in limited time I have now. Don't hesitate to ask for translation help, I'll be glad to do it later today.

Main thing is: meet requirements of living outside the EU, age over 16. Détaxe must be requested on day of purchase.
Once purchases made, go to Détaxe Counter, level -1 of Main Store (Coupole) with passport, bills & paperwork. (I'm almost sure I went there FIRST, before buying, and got a sort of purchase passport that salesclerks stamped as I bought -- then I brought this booklet back to Détaxe Counter. But no matter, as long as you get to Détaxe Counter same day as purchases are made.)
Bring paperwork to the Airport, for validation by Customs. Don't check your luggage first... Keep purchases readily available for inspection, although goods are not always inspected. If your choose reimbursement on your Credit Card, along with validated papers you'll get an envelope to post back to the store within 6 months.
There's a mention of cash reimbursements in link, I never asked for that but later, could explain how to do it if you'd like.

haussmann.galerieslafayette....

TVA rates are the same across the country. The so-called "normal rate" (for most goods & services) will go from 19,6% to 20% in January 2014.
Galeries Lafayette reimburse 12 % of TVA (generally called "détaxe".) I suppose that reimbursement rate is the same across France, perhaps someone else can confirm this. But you asked about GL so I focussed on it.
Let me know if you need help with that website or anything else. Best wishes.

Franncis,

Re haussmann.galerieslafayette provided above, I've translated the parts about cash reimbursements & about how to proceed in general. See below:

En magasin, que doit faire le client?
What must the customer do while in the store?
-After buying for a minimum of 175.01 euros, & on same day, customer must go to the Détaxe office, level -1 of main store (Lafayette Coupole) with his cash receipts & original of his passport
-Customer chooses the mode of reimbursement
-Store prepares a detailed statement (bordereau) specifically for détaxe
-Duplicate cash receipts are not valid for détaxe

Que doit faire le client en quittant l'Union Européenne?
What must the customer do when leaving the European Union?
-Upon leaving the EU, customer must have his 'bordereau' validated by Customs at the airport, the relevant train station or the land border, before the end of the 3rd month following his purchases
-Before going through baggage check, customer must present his 'bordereau' with his purchases, his passport & his travel ticket, for inspection by Customs.
Failure to honour these rules will result in cancellation of the 'bordereau' & an eventual fine.
-Following validation of the 'bordereau' by Customs, if the customer has chosen a cash reimbursement, he must go to the designated wicket at the airport/station/border.
For all other modes of reimbursement, customer must return the blue copy initialled by Customs within six months, in the prepaid « T » envelope. He keeps the other copy as proof of purchase.

I always chose reimbursement by credit card (i.e. by mailing the "T" envelope as stated above.) I think all reimbursements arrived within a month, perhaps two.
With purchases totalling, say, $1,000, you'd get $120 back (12%)
I had $600 worth of purchases last time I claimed détaxe, so got $72 back. That time, I found the process a hassle for various reasons (especially keeping purchases handy for Customs inspection, when I would have liked to pack them with rest of my luggage at the hotel... Repacking inspected purchases on the ground in public was too much for me!
But it's kind of fun to work the system when you have time so go for it.
All the best!

Great thanks for making the trouble to do so. Appreciate! So in other word, i still have to go to the airport to get the claims back.

You're most welcome. Yes, you must have the bordereau validated by Customs at whatever exit point you choose to leave the EU (i.e., the airport, if you're flying out.)
All should go well if you give yourself the bit of extra time required at your exit point.

i am around there this morning seeing many tourists there, and the information is correct from the site given by alza.
min purchase of 175 euros, you get a VAT refund of 12% out of the 19,6% you paid now or 5,5% or food process items, and if you get a handy map from the tourist office or the store at the metro or airport tourist info places a card is attached for a 10% discount of your purchase with a passport from outside the EU.

It has a detaxe office counter inside the store many there will gladly show you indeed. keep your purchasing papers from airport customs might require to show.
cheers