If you’re anything like me, you wholeheartedly believe that no trip abroad is complete without a day (or multiple days) of shopping.

Not only can it be an interesting cultural experience in a new place, but it’s also the very best way to get tangible memories to take home with you.

After all, isn’t one of the best perks of international travel being able to say stuff like, “Oh yes, I picked up this dress in this amazing little boutique in Paris”?

But just because you may be a professional-level shopper here in the States doesn’t mean you’re necessarily prepared for the task in another country. Before you whip out the credit cards and get ready for an international spree, familiarize yourself with a few key pieces of information that will make the whole process go a lot more smoothly.

Research

If you have certain items in mind before you travel, you may want to do a little research before you go. As much as you might want to buy a Gucci bag in Italy, it could end up costing you more than buying it here. If it’s a high ticket item, it’s definitely worth checking out the cost in your destination versus your home before you travel.

Etiquette

As a teenager in Rome on my very first trip abroad, I walked into a little clothing boutique in Rome’s Prati neighborhood. It wasn’t a very high-end shop, but somehow my friends and I ended up feeling like Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman. It was obvious that our “serve yourself” approach to shopping was not the norm there.

The fact is shopping norms are not the same in other parts of the world as they are in America. The can-do spirit of self-service, for example, is looked upon in many countries as rude. But, it depends very much on the country and the type of store you’re in. The best bet is to do a bit of research on the particular customs of your destination. And to be on the safe side, use your observation skills to watch what locals are doing before jumping into the fray yourself.

When it comes to language barriers, it’s a good idea to at least know to say, “How much does it cost?” “Please,” “Thank you,” “No thank you” and, “I like this.” You can also rely on pointing and asking the clerk to write the cost on a piece of paper – numbers are the same in all languages.

Haggling

For many, one of the most fun parts of shopping abroad is haggling. Though bargaining with a shop keeper or vendor feels almost wrong to some Americans, it’s the norm in many shopping environments in other countries. Find out before you go where and how haggling is best done. Then get your game face on! There are just a few guidelines to know before entering a bargaining exchange:

• Go in with a firm idea of what your max price is and then stick to it.
• Don’t show too much enthusiasm for an item or the sales person will be less likely to lower the price.
• Don’t start haggling if you don’t seriously intend to purchase something if the vendor offers you a price you’re comfortable with.
• Never walk away if the vendor offers you the price you suggested.
• If the vendor won’t go down on the price, try asking for something else to be thrown in as a bonus.
• Be ready to walk away if an agreement can’t be made.

Taxes

As an international traveler, you’ve surely familiar with the acronym “VAT,” though you might not know quite what it refers to. Well, it stands for “value-added tax” and applies to purchases – in all intents and purposes, it’s very similar to a sales tax. Many countries (including all of those in the EU) offer a VAT refund to travelers from other countries. So, you’ll pay the VAT upfront at the point of purchase, but you’ll have a chance to get it back before you head home.

In some places, taxes can be up to 25%, so it’s worth going through the steps to get the refund. Here’s how it works:

• Bring your passport with you when you know you’ll be doing some serious shopping.
• It makes it easier to shop in stores that are used to dealing with tourists & VAT refunds – some even have signs saying as much in the window.
• Ask for the necessary documents, which the store clerk/owner must fill out.
• Keep the form and the receipt for your purchase together.
• Some shops will handle the rest for you or even give you a refund on the spot. Otherwise, you should bring everything (documents, receipts and the items purchased) with you to the airport, have documents stamped by the customs office.
• Finally, either visit the refund office there in the airport or mail in the documents.

Customs

Once you’ve reached US soil, you must declare big purchases that were made abroad. Most of the time, no one will actually bother you about anything, but you should be prepared nonetheless. You’ll probably be given a customs declaration form while still on the airplane – there you’ll itemize your purchases and their prices. So, to be ready for this, you ought to have your receipts readily accessible and organized. It also helps to have all of your purchases accessible in one bag, in case they ask to inspect.

Keep in mind that the personal exemption limit is $800, meaning that if the total cost of your international shopping spree exceeds that amount, you’ll have to pay duty or tax on it – for the first $1000 above the personal limit it’s 3% and after that, it’s on an item-by-item basis.

The best part about shopping abroad is that there’s just some elements that can’t be predicted or prepared for, which is exactly as it should be. Some of the greatest international travel stories I’ve ever heard involve shopping – the comical, the shocking, the lucky, and the downright strange. It’s all part of the beauty of exploring foreign cultures, lands and, of course, shops.

Author: Maureen Lampert is a style and culture writer who contributes to several online publications. She also serves as the chairperson of the Oak Street Council in Chicago’s upscale shopping district in the Gold Coast. The council is made up of businesses such as Vera Wang, Tory Burch, Saint Laurent and more. Maureen loves shopping abroad, of course, but her favorite place will always be Chicago. To learn more, head to www.OakstreetChicago.com today.