touchingcloth

Hello all,

A quick quiz. Karma for the winner

From any of u who've claimed back VAT at Heathrow on departure from the UK:

1. When u made the claim, were your goods checked? (laptop)
2. Do goods have to be in original packaging?
3. Were you giving back cash there and then? (especially those who claimed around £150)

Thanks
TC

jothefw

I don't know about Heathrow but claiming GST back in Adelaide - no goods weren't checked, some were and some weren't in packaging and yes credit card creditted there and then.

Don't suppose that's any help but might be for others!

birchway

no idea what your on about

enlighten us please

touchingcloth

great...yet another mong.

new to discussion boards are we?????



on the offchance u r for real...and r genuinly interested in the retail export scheme:

VAT refund

touchingcloth

thanks...but I'm more interested in leaving the UK and claiming VAT back.

I guess once Oz wakes up, someone who's been thru the same will be able to help.

TC

Buzzy--Bee

Hope so TC! My FIL claimed back VAT on goods he'd bought here when he returned to NZ - included a suit which had been worn and some other clothes. Just had to get the form to reclaim from the place he bought them from.

He also tried to reclaim the VAT he had spent on my SILs wedding over here - nice try mate!



Buzzy

birchway

no not a mong as you so put it

if I don't know what you are talking about considering this is for all to read I feel I should be entitled to ask

AM i WROMG?

being insulted is not why i am on this site, i am here to learn

but if we are hurling insults i think you are a ******

steve

birchway

someone who has done 724 posts is obviously more into discussion boards than actually moving to australia

get yourself a life before you move, that way you will be happier when / if you get there

surprisingly you are the first one to p**s me off, i hope others are friendlier when we get there in november

steve

Pollyana

Please get this discussion back on topic. Any more insult throwing and I'll shut it.

yafm

When we left uk 3 years ago I had bought a new digital camera that week and had the paperwork from the shop. I went to the correct desk at Heathrow and gave the paperwork and filled in a form and was told the original selling shop would refund the vat on my credit card and the heathrow personnel would advise them. Guess what? I have never received a sou. .....

ElshaUK

I work in Customer Accounts within a Dept store and we handle global refunds for travellers - basically any goods purchased in our store are recorded onto a global refund form and then the travellers takes the form and their reciepts to the global refund desk at Heathrow (or whichever airport they are travelling from) You get the money there. The goods must be no older than 3 months either.

I am pretty sure you don't have to show the goods as you have already had the receipt validated (retailers usually stamp it) when they are completing your global refund form. (not all retailers are global refunders....as it is a scheme they sign up to)

If you did not get the forms completed when you purchased your items then you will have to complete a form at the airport (not sure if they are global refund forms) BUT in that instance, I am fairly certain, you would have to have the goods handy, so that you could show them, if you are asked to.

I bought an engagement ring in Australia and claimed the GST back at Perth Airport - I did have to show him the ring (not hard - it was on my finger) but he needed to make sure the goods were ours....

Hope some of this helps...

touchingcloth

Hi Elsha,

Thats a great help...many thanks

Max&Ozzy

How does this situation get handled back in the country of residence? Surely these goods must be declared as they are imported at less than 12 months old, without any duty paid on them??? Wouldn't that mean they are liable for import duty?

graham

touchingcloth

Good point.

I guess they would be liable for GST once u step foot in Oz.

Which makes me wonder why customs in Oz would be strict about items less than 12 months old. Surely if you have a receipt showing that VAT had already been paid in country of purchase, then GST can be waived.

Sounds like some kind of double taxation trap, and the onus is on the consumer to make sure it doesn't happen by making sure they claim the VAT in the UK before departure.

and if you're one step ahead...then u reclaim the VAT, 'rough up' your items a little on the flight, and tell Oz that these goods were more than 12 months old or gifts!!! (if asked)

Max&Ozzy

I really don't know.
I can see that there is scope for some 'illegal' importing and for sure a saving from VAT can be made, so long as the importer doesn't fess up to bringing anything new into the country.

That walk through the green channel can be a very twitchy one can't it!!!!!