For those great shoppers (non... by Audrey118
For those great shoppers (non EU residents only) - you may like to know this bit.
On exit at the Barcelona airport (we were catching the flight to Singapore via Paria CDG),
and we claimed our VAT (Value Added Tax) at the airport. It is at the right hand side of the airport, and you need to show all your documents to officer at the booth. It is very unlikely your goods are checked. After that you claim your money (either in USDollar or Euro), and then you can go in to get your boarding pass and check in your luggages. This mean that you can checked in your shopping goodies into the plane - no need to hand carry them on board.
While I was in Rome, you are required to carry all your goodies through the immigration check point, and therefore you have to carry everything on board. I find this really silly esplly when you have bought 10 suits, and possibly 10 pair of shoes etc!!!
I like the way things are done in Barcelona - after all we are giving their country revenue by shopping there - why make life so difficult for tourist otherwise!!!