Amazon has recently updated their policy concerning VAT refunds. The policy now states:
“If you are an APO-address holder or work for the NATO troops we will be happy to refund all the VAT you were charged for your order. Please note that this does not apply to delivery addresses within Germany or for members of German troops.”
If you do intend on getting a VAT refund, you may have to ship the items to your APO address instead of your physical address.
So the secret to shopping here is knowing that you can get the VAT refunded. Simply get your package, then send your **SIGNED** VAT form and receipt back to them. Remember your VAT form must have been bought from the VAT office prior to you ordering on the site or they will not be able to use it. (ask the VAT office for more info)
Once you mail it back to them (the German post office is on base next to the dry cleaners and T-mobile), they will refund the VAT within a few days to your credit/debit card and send you back your copy and the VAT office copy of the form. Then all you need to do is return the white copy to the VAT office and enjoy your refund!
For the address and more info, see the website below:
Amazon.de’s address and return process in English
Amazon’s explanation on VAT and why some items are only charged a 7% VAT
Here At Gk 
Thank you for this!! What great info!! 😀
I just ordered something yesterday. Thanks for the info 🙂
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Hi!!, do you know the name of this VAT Office in Germany? because I can fin anything in google.
Thanks,
Mariano, Do you mean the name of Amazon’s Vat Department? That info is listed here: http://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-4?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200227450&qid=1346174405&sr=1-4
If you mean where do you get a VAT form, you must be eligible and go to your base’s vat office. If you are Stationed at GK, the Vat office is located in the U.S. Post Office building next to the Housing office.
Hi, I’m not sure I understand, the VAT form I get from my own country? I’ from Romania and just received smth I ordered from amazon.de. Can I still do the trick?
Is the VAT form from Romania supposed to be so that you don’t have to pay vat in germany? If so, then I would think you could use it. But if it’s not meant to be used at a german store then you cannot use it on amazon.de
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Hi,
I’m from Egypt. I want to order a mobile phone from Amazon.de & it will delivered at temp. address in Berlin of an Egyptian friend of mine. So, can you help me figure out how to get VAT refunded ?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Your case is different then the case for my readers who live in Germany. The only thing I can think of is for you to keep the reciept and take it to the airport. I have heard that their is a VAT office there where qualifying travellers can recieve there VAT back. I am not familar with how this process works though. This blog is for people living in Germany who are not citizens of the EU.
Does this work if you are stationed on the Dutch side of the border? I have some EU VAT forms in German from the Schinnen VAT office, but wasn’t sure if they would be able to be used for something that was being sent to the Netherlands vs. being purchased on the German side and taken back over the border.
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