Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Shopping
I
reland is known the world over for its handmade products and fine
craftsmanship, and Dublin is a one-stop source for the country's
best wares. Also, due to Ireland's wholehearted membership in the
European Union, Irish shops are brimming with imported goods
from the Continent. In broad terms (though, obviously, there are
exceptions) most of the trendy shops and upscale designer stores are
located south of the Liffey, while north of the Liffey is a bit more
downscale and serviceable.
VAT REFUNDS
First, the bad news: In Ireland, almost all consumer products are
subject to value-added tax—better known as VAT—of 21% on the
net price of goods, which is roughly 17% of the selling price. Now,
the good news: If you're not a citizen of an E.U. country, you are
entitled to this money back.
The first thing you should know is that VAT is a “hidden tax”—
it's already added into the purchase price of any items you see in
shops. (The two notable exceptions: no VAT on books and no VAT
on children's clothing and footwear.)
There are two ways to get your money back:
Global Refund
(
&
800/566-9828;
www.globalrefund.ie) is the
world's largest private company offering VAT refunds, with more
than 5,000 stores in Ireland displaying
TAX FREE FOR TOURISTS
stickers in their front windows. Unlike all other E.U. countries, Ire-
land requires no minimum purchase in a single store. The system
works like this:
Step 1:
Collect refund checks at every store where you make a
purchase.
Step 2:
Fill in the blanks (name, address, passport number, and
so on) on the checks, noting whether you'd like your refund in
cash or on a credit card.
Step 3:
Hand in your completed checks to the VAT-refund desk
at the airport just before departing Ireland. The VAT desk is in
