VAT shopping refunds when visiting the UK

[Stone Free]

THE FOLLOWING IS APPLICABLE IF YOU LIVE IN FUERTEVENTURA.

Quite a few shops in the UK participate in the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

As an example, here`s some info from Currys/PC World:

At Currys PC World we are able to offer customers who live outside of the EU the ability to claim back the VAT paid on most of their purchases in our stores with our partner Global Blue.

After you have spent just ask one of our colleagues about shopping ‘Tax Free` where we will be happy to fill in a tax free refund form for you. There is a charge for this service which is a variable percentage depending on the value of the items for which a refund is being claimed.

There are of course some conditions to the service. The goods must leave the UK three months from the last day of the month in which you shop; you must be a non-EU resident; and the total spent must be over £30. We are also not able to offer ‘Tax Free` on subscription products and services.

On exit from the EU, please take your Global Blue (VAT 407) form to UK customs at the airport for validation (you will be expected to have your purchases ready to show them). Send the validated form in the prepaid envelope and we will be able to issue your refund directly onto your payment card or into your UK bank account. You can also take your validated form to the Travelex desk at the airport for an immediate cash refund.


HMRC have further info:

http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kb5/hmrc/forms/view.page?record=xpj5bz6RrpY

[woe10]

Unless it's a major airport like Manchester, with International morning arrivals, forget it.

I did this when I bought a Laptop from Comet, and was flying back from Liverpool. My flight was 11.30 am. I went to look for the Customs Officials with the VAT form, only to be told they didn't start work until the first arrivals at 1.00pm, and I would have to wait until then. Ha ha. I had to leave without claiming the VAT 

[bluefox]

for all the hassle involved, is it really worth it, beside's if you tell the store your living in the canaries they'd probably laugh at yer,as we know, technically it's not in the eu, but it belong'd to a country that is. 

[Stone Free]

It all went very smoothly for me at Gatwick recently at 4:00am.  Got my refund of £120 without any problems. 

The shops I have dealt with have been fully aware of the VAT Export Scheme.

[woe10]

It all went very smoothly for me at Gatwick recently at 4:00am.  Got my refund of £120 without any problems. 
The shops I have dealt with have been fully aware of the VAT Export Scheme.

Yeh, Gatwick is a non-stop airport. If you're flying from a not-so-major airport, it's worth checking that Customs Officials will be on duty in the mornings. If there are no arrivals, there will be none there, so I was told at the time.

[Michelle and Simon]

I came back via Bristol and although the VAT refunds office was unmanned there was a post box once you get through the bag check section. I posted my forms from PC World into the box and got my refund a couple of weeks later without a hitch.

[trebol66]

If you reclaim the VAT on goods bought in the UK you have to pay IGIC on them when your import them to the Canary Islands.

In Fuerteventura you need to take your receipt to the tax office, 3 Primero de Mayo.

IGIC is 7%.

[woe10]

Yeh right, and who does that.

[trebol66]

Me.