Festool from EU/UK

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Hipplewm

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Dec 17, 2023
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132
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Charleston, SC area
Looking specifically at the https://www.festool.com/accessory/d...-and-bits/hand-tool/576804---sys3m112-ce-sort I think it was available in the US about 10ish years ago, but still available in Europe

The BBB did away with the $800 exemption on import duties, but if you travel in person, afaik, you still get the $800 exemption, combined with the VAT being refunded at the port of departure. I travel for work several times a year and can easily find room in my suitcase. One suitcase normally comes home full of gifts anyway.

Is it really worth it? I am just getting my first CXS12 after using the standard 1/4" stuff and got tired of stuff flopping around etc - but the centrotec stuff is quite pricey - also not really available (I saw the make it snappy stuff) and saw this box and although it is hella expensive, it seems like 1 stop shopping.

Is there a better way - even if I only use half the stuff it seem better than just buying the countersinks and a few bits
 
That's a nice Centrotec kit for sure. I have a lot of those things picked up piecemeal over time, but would have liked getting it all at once since it's the system I prefer.
 
Hipplewm said:
I think it was available in the US about 10ish years ago
Click to expand...
Not in Sys^3 Organizer.

Hipplewm said:
combined with the VAT being refunded at the port of departure
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that?

I think for the EU you can have customs sign the invoice, then you can file that signed invoice with the store you bought from and then they don't have to pay the VAT... so they can refund it to you. But that is between you and the store..
 
I can't answer to value - that's always a bit subjective - but I can say that I bought this installers' kit together with my CXS a couple of years ago and I am more than happy with it!
I use something from it on just about every project. I've even used the hook screwing attachment :ROFLMAO:

As far as I know it does represent good value vs buying all the pieces separately and the bits/driils/countersinks etc. are of the quality you would expect of Festool. Having them all nicely packed in a stackable systainer is a very tasty cherry on the top of a delicious green/grey cake ...😁
 
Coen said:
Not in Sys^3 Organizer.


Are you sure about that?

I think for the EU you can have customs sign the invoice, then you can file that signed invoice with the store you bought from and then they don't have to pay the VAT... so they can refund it to you. But that is between you and the store..
Click to expand...
Correct - the store refunds it, but I haven't had a store refuse to refund it. Now, that has been more "Touristy" places - maybe a hardware store who deals with locals for 99% of their business may be different.
 
More usually the VAT refund is handled by a third-party expeditor (even the stores are usually using their services also)
If your store says they can’t/won’t handle this for you, get to the airport earlier and use the VAT office there. You can get the form stamped and submit it for return. They can (but do t always) ask to see the item you are claiming a VAT refund on.
The above is based on my experience of Claim back VAT in the UK but expect similar mechanisms in other EU countries.
For a recent purchase from Germany they didn’t even put VAT on the price to begin with because it was for export outside of Germany…
 
Stevenski said:
More usually the VAT refund is handled by a third-party expeditor (even the stores are usually using their services also)
If your store says they can’t/won’t handle this for you, get to the airport earlier and use the VAT office there. You can get the form stamped and submit it for return. They can (but do t always) ask to see the item you are claiming a VAT refund on.
The above is based on my experience of Claim back VAT in the UK but expect similar mechanisms in other EU countries.
For a recent purchase from Germany they didn’t even put VAT on the price to begin with because it was for export outside of Germany…
Click to expand...
Mine is going to be significantly more complicated - I am not flying for work this time - but for vacation and a cruise....
Going to Barcelona for a few days where I'll but this....
Cruise leaves from Barcelona, then Malaga and Cadiz - this is where I leave the EU, so I'll have to lug it to the end of the pier to get my stamp and submit the form
I have looked into the services but their fees are stupid crazy high. I'll be going back in the spring fr work, and that is always easier to do at the airport - but I am going to try it this way and see hwo it goes...
 
Hipplewm said:
Mine is going to be significantly more complicated - I am not flying for work this time - but for vacation and a cruise....
Going to Barcelona for a few days where I'll but this....
Cruise leaves from Barcelona, then Malaga and Cadiz - this is where I leave the EU, so I'll have to lug it to the end of the pier to get my stamp and submit the form
I have looked into the services but their fees are stupid crazy high. I'll be going back in the spring fr work, and that is always easier to do at the airport - but I am going to try it this way and see hwo it goes...
Click to expand...
Well the sounds fantastic! lucky you :) Barcelona is great and my wife and I loved Cadiz. While I was there last year I got to see those cruise liners up close moored in the port. I was simply astounded at the size of them! :oops: Absolutely massive - like a small floating town. I was chatting with a passenger from one while queuing for the cathedral and I think he said there were over 5000 passengers own board?

You might want to ask the Purser's office while on board of they can offer any advice about the VAT reclaim process? Worst case they say they can't help but best case is thay can 😁

I don't know how long you will be in Cadiz but if its a couple of days, may I suggest a 30 minute drive to Jerez de la Frontera where Sherry comes from ;) quaint little town and good sampling opportunities :)
 
Cheapest place I can find in Germany is around 450€ (less 19% tax works out to 380€ / 440 USD).
It's an okay set but imho it only makes sense when you start out and have nothing yet. The value of the set compared to the value of its parts isn't particularly compelling; they've had better sets in the past. Personally I accumulated a lot of the invidual items over time, some from other manufacturers (esp. drill countersinks) and others I simply don't need, so it's not something I'd spend that much money on.
As far as refund goes: the wife used to do it a lot at Schiphol when we lived in East Africa, pretty straight forward but you need to plan for some extra time. The whole process is described here, I assume it's quite similar in Spain:
 
Hawkeye0001 said:
Cheapest place I can find in Germany is around 450€ (less 19% tax works out to 380€ / 440 USD).
It's an okay set but imho it only makes sense when you start out and have nothing yet. The value of the set compared to the value of its parts isn't particularly compelling; they've had better sets in the past. Personally I accumulated a lot of the invidual items over time, some from other manufacturers (esp. drill countersinks) and others I simply don't need, so it's not something I'd spend that much money on.
As far as refund goes: the wife used to do it a lot at Schiphol when we lived in East Africa, pretty straight forward but you need to plan for some extra time. The whole process is described here, I assume it's quite similar in Spain:
Click to expand...
At this point I have ZERO centrotec anything and I am getting the CXS12 for Christmas - That is why this kind of appeals to me - just the stuff I know I'll use easily hits that kind of money - plus the systainer...
 
Stevenski said:
Well the sounds fantastic! lucky you :) Barcelona is great and my wife and I loved Cadiz. While I was there last year I got to see those cruise liners up close moored in the port. I was simply astounded at the size of them! :oops: Absolutely massive - like a small floating town. I was chatting with a passenger from one while queuing for the cathedral and I think he said there were over 5000 passengers own board?

You might want to ask the Purser's office while on board of they can offer any advice about the VAT reclaim process? Worst case they say they can't help but best case is thay can 😁

I don't know how long you will be in Cadiz but if its a couple of days, may I suggest a 30 minute drive to Jerez de la Frontera where Sherry comes from ;) quaint little town and good sampling opportunities :)
Click to expand...
I go to Madrid (Then drive to Navalmoral de la Mata) , Barcelona and Valencia all the time for work.
From navalmoral, it is only a few hours drive to Cadiz, and I visit often, plus in the US navy we stopped there as well as Gibralter all the time.

This trip, however, is a cruise for my wifes 60th B-day and we will be in Cadiz for about 9 hours.

I am quite sure I can find the place and do the paperwork - main thing is getting the store to agree without using a "service" as they take the burden off the store for admin stuff, which seems to be a thing, especially in catalunya :)

I just found out today they have a TXS12 drill as well - not sure I want one - but still finding out all kinds of Festool stuff that isn't imported into the US
 
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