Reclaiming VAT
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 41
Reclaiming VAT
Morning people
Does anybody know if being a non UK resident I can reclaim VAT on items bought in the UK. Going on holiday there and will probably purchase a couple of high value items.
Does anybody know if being a non UK resident I can reclaim VAT on items bought in the UK. Going on holiday there and will probably purchase a couple of high value items.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Reclaiming VAT
yes but its made very difficult. u have to shop at a shop thats in the scheme, and then you have to show at the airport etc before you check it in etc to process the forms etc.
#3
Re: Reclaiming VAT
You need to have been out of the Uk for 12 months as well ( may even be a full financial year), get the specific receipt at the time if purchase (which takes ages especially if you have halfwit sales assistants) and then take your shopping to the airport with all the receipts- you have to show every item you have purchased. At Heathrow it is after passport control so you'll need to carry all your shopping as hand luggage. Some shops at the time of completing the forms(like Selfridges) will require your passport number and your address etc so make sure you have all your info with you.
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 41
Re: Reclaiming VAT
Thanks for the info people
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: The city of many visions - and fast performance cars
Posts: 887
Re: Reclaiming VAT
I was home in May and discovered a new shopping quesion "Do you issue VAT refund forms?". I was astonished at how many do - PC world, most jewlery stores, Cath Kidson, shoe shops -all in small towns (Ayrshire)and cities(Glasgow and Edinburgh).
Some shops subscribe to VAT refund "schemes" which are just agencies that do the paperwork and charge a small % of the refund. Some apply direct to Customs and Excise. Retailers filled in their section of the refund form then I filled in mine. On departure at the airport, you need to carry your purchased goods in your hand luggage. After check in and security, just go to the customs and excise desk where they inspect, approve and then stamp your forms. You also have to prove you are a UK non-resident. Once forms are stamped, you seal them in the envelopes the retailer provide you with, then put in the mail box in departures. Refunds are credited to your bank/CC. The only refund I didn't get was for the first thing I purchased - using a UK credit card, so use your UAE credit cards.
It is a bit of hassle but worth doing for higher cost purchases as you do save a lot of money.
Some shops subscribe to VAT refund "schemes" which are just agencies that do the paperwork and charge a small % of the refund. Some apply direct to Customs and Excise. Retailers filled in their section of the refund form then I filled in mine. On departure at the airport, you need to carry your purchased goods in your hand luggage. After check in and security, just go to the customs and excise desk where they inspect, approve and then stamp your forms. You also have to prove you are a UK non-resident. Once forms are stamped, you seal them in the envelopes the retailer provide you with, then put in the mail box in departures. Refunds are credited to your bank/CC. The only refund I didn't get was for the first thing I purchased - using a UK credit card, so use your UAE credit cards.
It is a bit of hassle but worth doing for higher cost purchases as you do save a lot of money.
#6
Re: Reclaiming VAT
It's dead easy to do, I've done it often - for computers from Debenhams, for suits and smalls from M&S and John Lewis, for games from PC World...
You need to leave a bit of time at the airport, and the amount you get back varies by scheme (and isn't easy to find out).
For some items like electronics, you need to get the stamp AFTER immigration (i.e. they need to be in your hand luggage). Everything else you do BEFORE immigration.
You need to be prepared to show every item, but in my experience they don't usually ask to see each one.
Finally, my understanding of the law is that you can use the scheme as a UK citizen at any time, as long as you are non-resident. It'd be better to ask an expert on this however.
You need to leave a bit of time at the airport, and the amount you get back varies by scheme (and isn't easy to find out).
For some items like electronics, you need to get the stamp AFTER immigration (i.e. they need to be in your hand luggage). Everything else you do BEFORE immigration.
You need to be prepared to show every item, but in my experience they don't usually ask to see each one.
Finally, my understanding of the law is that you can use the scheme as a UK citizen at any time, as long as you are non-resident. It'd be better to ask an expert on this however.
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 41
Re: Reclaiming VAT
The previous poster suggested that it would be better to use UAE credit cards. I tend to have a problem with my UAE cards in the UK.
When you bought your items did you use a UK debit/ credt card or UAE credit card
When you bought your items did you use a UK debit/ credt card or UAE credit card
#8
Re: Reclaiming VAT
I had no trouble buying stuff on, and getting a refund on, my UK credit card, but if they use a service at the airport, you can ask for your refund in cash too (for an additional fee).
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: The city of many visions - and fast performance cars
Posts: 887
Re: Reclaiming VAT
I used both a UK CC and a UAE CC. I have never had any issues using either but not had my VAT refund credited to my UK CC. When I followed up with the retailer, they indicated that a UK credit card indicated UK residency... I am not sure what happened really.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 200
Re: Reclaiming VAT
I was home in May and discovered a new shopping quesion "Do you issue VAT refund forms?". I was astonished at how many do - PC world, most jewlery stores, Cath Kidson, shoe shops -all in small towns (Ayrshire)and cities(Glasgow and Edinburgh).
Some shops subscribe to VAT refund "schemes" which are just agencies that do the paperwork and charge a small % of the refund. Some apply direct to Customs and Excise. Retailers filled in their section of the refund form then I filled in mine. On departure at the airport, you need to carry your purchased goods in your hand luggage. After check in and security, just go to the customs and excise desk where they inspect, approve and then stamp your forms. You also have to prove you are a UK non-resident. Once forms are stamped, you seal them in the envelopes the retailer provide you with, then put in the mail box in departures. Refunds are credited to your bank/CC. The only refund I didn't get was for the first thing I purchased - using a UK credit card, so use your UAE credit cards.
It is a bit of hassle but worth doing for higher cost purchases as you do save a lot of money.
Some shops subscribe to VAT refund "schemes" which are just agencies that do the paperwork and charge a small % of the refund. Some apply direct to Customs and Excise. Retailers filled in their section of the refund form then I filled in mine. On departure at the airport, you need to carry your purchased goods in your hand luggage. After check in and security, just go to the customs and excise desk where they inspect, approve and then stamp your forms. You also have to prove you are a UK non-resident. Once forms are stamped, you seal them in the envelopes the retailer provide you with, then put in the mail box in departures. Refunds are credited to your bank/CC. The only refund I didn't get was for the first thing I purchased - using a UK credit card, so use your UAE credit cards.
It is a bit of hassle but worth doing for higher cost purchases as you do save a lot of money.
#12
Re: Reclaiming VAT
It's infuriating that the schemes don't publish their fees.
I've found retailers who participate in the scheme but don't use the big boys usually give better deals.
I've found retailers who participate in the scheme but don't use the big boys usually give better deals.
#13
Re: Reclaiming VAT
We've covered this before and you do NOT have to be out of the UK for 12 months before you can reclaim VAT.
Info here (see last Q&A):
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20...ate=columnists
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Info here (see last Q&A):
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20...ate=columnists
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#14
Re: Reclaiming VAT
really meow- as I had filled in all the forms and when I went to claim it all back they said I couldn't as had to have been out for 12 months?
#15
Re: Reclaiming VAT
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