Castle off the coast of Naples, Italy.

The IVA Tax is 16.67 percent of the purchase price of nearly everything sold in Italy. Non-European residents shopping in Italy can claim a refund of IVA on each purchase that exceeds 300,000 lire. There are no rebates of the IVA tax on hotels, restaurants or tourist services.

1. Upon making a purchase, the buyer must ask for an IVA refund. This form itemizes what has purchased and stares the refundable IVA amount. Stores that display a Global Refund "Tax Free Shopping" sign offer IVA refunds in cash upon departure from Italy, otherwise the only refund options are by credit card or by bank check. Bank check refunds should be avoided, as fees to cash them in the USA can be very expensive.

2. As with all exports, purchases must be declared at the Custom Office upon departure from Italy or the European Union (EU) and a validation stamp must be obtained. Validation stamps can be obtained at the Customs Office of an Italian airport only if purchased goods are shown first to the Custom Officer and then inserted immediately into the luggage to be checked in for final destination outside of the EU. If the purchases will remain the traveler's carry-on luggage, the customs stamp can only be obtained at the Custom Office of the EU airport where the travel will be in transit for final destination outside of the EU. If the traveler is departing the EU by train or car, the customs stamp for Italian IVA refund form must obtained at the border (travelers are departing the EU when they cross from Italy to Switzerland).

3. Stamped Global Refund Checks can be exchanged immediately for cash or credit card refund at the nearby Cash Refund Office. Allow two to three billing cycles for a credit card refund. All other IVA refund forms should be sent to their respective stores within 90 days of the date of the receipt. On receipt of this stamped form the vendor can then forward the IVA rebate to the tourist who made the purchase.

For more information
800-566-9828
www.globalrefund.com