Tax Free Shopping, Fuel Coupons and Post
Personnel stationed in British Forces Germany are entitled to a number of tax-free concessions including tax-free shopping and tax free fuel coupons (providing you have correctly registered your vehicle in British Forces Germany). These services are administered by central offices overseen by the Housing & Community Support Officer (HCSO) and each of the three locations of the Garrison (Hohne, Fallingbostel and Celle) has a central office where you can obtain the paperwork and support you need.
Please click for details of opening times: Hohne, Fallingbostel, Celle.
British Forces Germany (BFG) Car Registration and Fuel Coupons
The BFG Car Registration Process may at first glance appear complex but the process is essentially straightforward and staff at the BFG Registration Office are very experienced and ready to assist you through the process. Check out the BFG Car Registration Aide Memoire for more details. The BFG Registration Office is also where you can purchase BFG Tax Free Fuel Coupons and is based centrally in Fallingbsotel, Hohne and Celle.
Also, please note that with effect from 01 SEPT 08 a tax-free vehicle that is less than 12 months BFG registered and is being taken back to the UK must have been BFG registered and used for a minimum of 7 days in Germany. Remember when considering purchasing a new vehicle you must allow time for the post, for both registration and Customs Documentation.
Tax free shopping (Mehrwertsteuer MWSt)
Almost everything sold in Germany has 19% VAT (MWSt) added and, under the Status of Forces Agreement, as an entitled person you can purchase goods over the value of €51.13 free of tax. Many shops in Germany participate in this and your local HIVE or Mehrwertsteuer Office (both based centrally within Fallingbostel, Hohne and Celle) will be able to advise you further. Listed below is the official way to obtain a VAT Exemption Form for goods.
- Before you go shopping you need an Auftrag (Official Order Form) from the Mehrwertsteuer (MWST) Office. This form is for shopping tax free and is valid for 4 weeks. Please note not all shops accept them, in which case you will have to pay the full amount there and then.
- After you have chosen your goods the shop will give you a Kostenvoranschlag (written estimate/bill). The price should be net (excluding VAT).
- Take the estimate/bill to the Mehrwertsteuer Office with the cash or a German cheque covering the amount. A cheque and Abwicklungsschein (VAT Exemption Form) will then be issued.
- Cheques must be made out by the Mehrwertsteuer Office and not from an individual’s private account, in order to comply with German law. The charge for this is €3. The Mehrwertsteuer Office will issue you a cheque to take back to the shop.
- Take all the paperwork and the cheque which will be given to you by the Mehrwertsteuer Office back to the shop to collect and pay for the goods. The supplier retains all documents and issues you with a receipt and your goods.
Please note some larger stores are able to communicate directly with the Mehrwertsteuer Office to arrange payment of the goods. This means you can collect the goods on the first visit. However, you still must pick up an Auftrag (Official Order Form) before you head off to go shopping and present this to the store before selecting your products!
Post Office
The Post Offices within the Garrison are run by British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provide a broad range of post office counter services as can be found in any UK High Street Post Office. Opening times and contact details can be found on the Local Amenity Opening Times pages; Hohne, Fallingbostel, Celle. For more information about Garrison post services please visit the BFPO website.
British Post Offices can be found in the following places within Bergen-Hohne Garrison:
Fallingbostel Station: Inside the NAAFI Max supermarket
Hohne Station: Inside the Roberts Roundhouse
Celle Camp: The 2 RRF post room
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