Page 53 - Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

Returns

If you discover an issue with an item, you should contact the vendor directly and expect that
any resolution will take longer than it would in the U.S. We recommend that you keep a copy
of all your receipts, invoices, or contracts, along with the shop’s contact information. Keep in
mind, local practice may vary from U.S. standards, so don’t assume that you have a certain
number of days after the purchase to speak up or that you are guaranteed a refund.

Crafts & Souvenirs

Spain

Leather goods, from supple suede gloves and elegant calf handbags to wineskins that require
careful curing (botas), are excellent purchases. Other good buys are shoes, from classical calf
pumps to provincial cloth espadrilles; porcelain by Lladro and pottery by regional craftsmen;
and wool rugs made by tapestry makers or simple cotton-rag throws.

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they reopen until 7:30 pm (many close even later). Restaurants generally remain open during
^TP^_L 4Y _SP WL]RP] NT_TP^ dZ` XLd ʭYO _SL_ MTR OP[L]_XPY_ ^_Z]P^ bTWW ^_Ld Z[PY Q]ZX
LX ɧ [X

Value Added Tax: Known in Spain as the IVA, Value Added Tax is levied on most articles,
services, and meals. The IVA ranges from 7% to 21% (luxury items, cars). Depending on how
much you spend on certain goods, you may be eligible for a partial refund of this tax. Ask the
shopkeeper or salesperson about the VAT at time of purchase. Be sure to save all receipts and
forms for Customs.

Portugal
Among the recommended buys in Portugal are Atlantis crystal, Vista Alegre porcelain, pottery,
_TWP^ LYO RZWO LYO ^TWaP] ʭWTR]PP UPbPW]d :_SP] WZNLW SLYOTN]LQ_^ TYNW`OP WLNP bZZObZ]V NZ]V
products, ceramics, embroidered goods, hand-loomed carpets, hand-knit sweaters, crocheted
shawls, brass, copper and pewter ware, and baskets.

Europe Tax-Free Shopping: Many stores in Portuguese cities have adopted the “Europe
Tax-Free Shopping” (ETS) system, which allows foreign shoppers to easily recover the Value
Added Tax (IVA)—which can be anywhere from 6%-23% depending on the item. Stores that
participate in the ETS system will clearly display an ETS sign at the entrance. If you make
a purchase, ask the shopkeeper for a tax-free form. When you depart Europe, you show the
LT][Z]_ N`^_ZX^ ZʯNTLW dZ`] [`]NSL^P^ LYO _Lc Q]PP QZ]X^ DZ` bTWW _SPY ]PNPTaP L NL^S ]PQ`YO
or a credit to your credit card, approximately four weeks following your return to the U.S., for
the total amount of your tax-free allowance.

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