Here's your quick and dirty answer:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/

Only paid if you are "consuming in the community". IIRC, ot was about 19% of parts I bought. When I bought my girl a purse in Paris, I had to fill out out some forms and refund was mailed to me by the taxing authority. When buying parts from a German retailer, they always just deducted VAT when they invoiced me.

BenT
sent from my electronic leash

On Apr 23, 2013, at 7:26 AM, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> When looking at T-3s for sale on German web sites, you sometimes see the following:
> 
> 6,900 EUR (gross)
> 5798 EUR (net)
> 
> 
> How does the VAT affect American buyers in Europe?  Does the above "net" mean that we get the
> VAT back when exporting the vehicle outside Europe, or does an American not pay it at all?
> 
> Sometimes you see "VAT not reclaimable".  What does that mean and does it affect an American purchaser?
> 
> Perhaps a list member in Europe can help us understand the VAT.
> 
> Thanks, Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>