Shopping tips
Take an extra bag along. Pack a collapsible
bag or tote in t he bottom of your suitcase to carry home your
souvenirs, then
put all purchases in it. It will ease your way through customs.
Keep a log of all your purchases. Include what you paid in
foreign currency and the equivalent in US dollars. This will
make it easier to fill our customs forms. You can check customs
regulations and find useful information online at www.customs.ustreas.gov.
Do some preliminary shopping research before you leave home.
Make a list of items you want to buy, sizes you’ll need,
then check prices in your local stores. That way, you’ll
have a basis for comparison.
Be sure to check in each country to find out about duty charges.
Most countries have provisions for tourists to get a refund
of at least a portion of the taxes they pay on items they buy
abroad. Be sure to check the rules before you shop because
there will be minimum amounts you will need to spend in one
location and paper work you will have to fill out in order
to get your refund. You will be given a form to have stamped
at the airport customs office upon your departure. Allow extra
time at the airport, because lines are often very long. Occasionally,
you can get the refund right there, but often you will be required
to mail that stamped form back to the store for your refund.
It is best to pay for these purchases with a credit card and
the vendor will issue a VAT credit to your charge account in
dollars. Procedures vary from country to country so be sure
to check with the customs staff for accurate information regarding
your refund procedure.
When you’re traveling abroad, before you buy any antiques
or archaeological artifacts, be sure you can get it out of
the country. Also check the US regulations concerning items
that are not allowed to be brought into the US such as ivory
or items made from endangered wildlife, Persian rugs, etc.
Be sure to get a clear copy of the vendor’s name, address,
fax & phone numbers and email address in case you need
to contact them once you return to the US. Keep in mind that
if you are having your purchase shipped home, it may take
several weeks or even months, depending on what type of service
the
vendor uses.
Beware of duty free shops. Many do not offer any real bargains.
And “duty-free” applies to the country where you
purchase the item. You will still have to declare these items
on your Customs Declaration form when you enter the USA.
Using the phone. Dialing direct from hotels is very expensive
so it will be best to take a calling card with you. Or you
can buy pre-paid calling cards in most countries now. Check
before you leave home about calling card rates for each country
you will visit. You will also need to get the access number
for your card for each country you will visit. Be sure to check
with each hotel to ask if they have a charge for making toll-free
calls from your room to the calling card company. Many hotels
do have these charges and they can be as expensive as making
a direct international call.
Ask for instructions on how to use public phones, and whether
you need special coins or tokens. Your concierge or tour director
can help.
Ask your concierge if the hotel has internet connections you
can use, or find out where the nearest internet café is
located. These are easy to use and inexpensive ways to keep
in touch with your family and friends.
Tipping. Don’t worry about who to tip.
If someone performs a service you appreciate, go ahead and
tip. If someone is not
deserving of a thank-you, don’t tip.
Check to see if tipping is customary. In some cultures (primarily
in Asia) tipping is frowned upon. And in many places the tips
are included in the bill.
Get plenty of small bills and coins for tips as soon as you
enter the country. Then you won’t waste money overtipping
because you have no change.
Take $25-30 in US $1 bills for emergencies. Bellmen and chambermaids
in hotels that have a foreign exchange desk will accept US
dollars (not coins) as tips.
Outside the US, always ask if service has been included in
the restaurant bill. If it has, it’s usually customary
to leave your change, or an additional 3-10% extra (depending
on service).
Make the most of your sightseeing time. Don’t feel you
have to see everything to get your money’s worth. Choose
things you love and do those first. If you have extra time
you can always add something else. Check museum and shopping
hours. It’s very disappointing to find things closed
when you expect them to be open. If you’re planning to
attend a special event, call before you go.
Accept the customs of the country. Being tolerant is more
than good manners – it’s practical. If you don’t
learn about the ways of the country you’re visiting,
you may end up thwarting your own plans. Remember that many
tropical and Latin countries close everything in the middle
of the day for a long siesta. And many restaurants in Mediterranean
countries are unprepared for diners until late in the evening…and
so on.
BE FLEXIBLE. Allow time for the unexpected, as well as for
planned exploring.
Photos: When photographing religious sites,
certain foreign people, or members of certain native American
cultures, be
sure to ask permission first. Many cultures have taboos against
taking pictures, or are simply offended by the notion. At the
same time, some of your subjects may expect a little reward
for their posing particularly in the third world countries.
Take along an instant camera if you have one. Snapping a photo
and immediately handing the result to your model brings incredible
smiles as reward.
Don’t take every camera, lense, tripod, etc. along with
you on your trip. You’ll regret being so loaded down
and you may lose time going through all of the security and
customs checks as a result. Be sure to take extra batteries
and film or digital cards. These items are not always readily
available overseas and you could lose great pictures if you’re
not prepared. It’s also much more cost effective to buy
them at home. Be sure to check before letting your film and
camera go through the security x-rays. Many are not harmful
now, but check to be sure.
