UK Duty free / VAT Refund

[5teve]

Hi All,

Have any of you ever claimed VAT back on expensive items purchased in the UK on the way out? (Similar to the Aus TRS). If so, do they actually ask for proof of you not entering the country for the next 12 months?

We are residents in the UK (Citizens of Aus), purchased our wedding rings last week, and are traveling back to Aus in early august for a few weeks for the wedding (then returning to UK).

Perusal of The Revenue's site suggests you must not return to the UK for 12 months but none of the stores or friends we have talked to knew of the 'not returning' part.

Any knowledge appreciated and experience appreciated - thanks in advance

 

[bass_ke]

Good morning!

Can't speak for the UK scheme but in Aus once you've used TRS the goods form part if your $900 concession if you return with them, could it be similar to the UK?

 

[opusman]

If so, do they actually ask for proof of you not entering the country for the next 12 months?

I've done it several times and never been asked for anything like that.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I've done it several times and never been asked for anything like that.

Same, produced the receipt and refund processed with no questions

 

[vantage03]

I claim VAT back regularly, all you need is your passport (I assume it's Australian) and plane ticket heading out of the EU. They won't ask any questions about you returning to the UK.
However, you will have to have the Tax Refund documentation from the store at which you purchased the rings.

If you're flying Qantas, the landside queue at the airport will be horriffic (hours and hours). Your best bet is to clear customs with the rings either on your fingers or in your hand luggage, and claim at the significantly less busy VAT Refund counters after customs.

 

[5teve]

I claim VAT back regularly, all you need is your passport (I assume it's Australian) and plane ticket heading out of the EU. They won't ask any questions about you returning to the UK.
However, you will have to have the Tax Refund documentation from the store at which you purchased the rings.

If you're flying Qantas, the landside queue at the airport will be horriffic (hours and hours). Your best bet is to clear customs with the rings either on your fingers or in your hand luggage, and claim at the significantly less busy VAT Refund counters after customs.

Thanks everyone for your help and Vantage03 I will definitely heed that advice re the queue.

Out of interest, has anyone had a UK address on their VAT refund form that the store fills out, or have you all had Australian addresses on there? I can talk to the store about changing the address if required but only if required

thanks again (and yes we will wear the rings!)

 

[5teve]

All, just to close the loop on this one (for future searchers). I talked to two different stores who both told me:

As a resident of the UK, I am unable to claim the VAT back unless the visa has expired (i.e. when we are about to leave the country for good). The store has to sight the passport, and search for existence of a visa, when they fill in the VAT form and sign a declaration that they believe this person is a visitor.

At the airport, the refund clerk will also see that I have a UK address and search for a visa.

Thanks to those who responded above

It appears this is one instance where Australia is a little more generous!

 

[Princess Fiona]

All, just to close the loop on this one (for future searchers). I talked to two different stores who both told me:

As a resident of the UK, I am unable to claim the VAT back unless the visa has expired (i.e. when we are about to leave the country for good). The store has to sight the passport, and search for existence of a visa, when they fill in the VAT form and sign a declaration that they believe this person is a visitor.

At the airport, the refund clerk will also see that I have a UK address and search for a visa.

Thanks to those who responded above

It appears this is one instance where Australia is a little more generous!

Thankyou for the update. I've remained blissfully unaware of this as I have dual passports and always show my Aussie passport buying big ticket items in the UK.
Looks like Australia is indeed more generous.
All the best for your honeymoon

EDITED:
I don't have a UK visa in my Aussie passport and have never been asked by stores to provide evidence of one
At LHR I show my Aussie passport and the VAT receipt from the store

 

[Danger UXB]

Gee 5teve
seems like you got a real rule book reader in the jewelers. I have a UK passport but live in Oz and have on numerous occasions bought stuff to bring back here. They don't know I live here as they just put their stamp on the VAT form and I fill in the passport number etc so for all they know I could be living in the UK ( I always put mums UK address on for warranty claims). The rings I think fall under the same classification as small electrical ( cameras etc) which they will always want to process and view airside. They will ask you if you intend to return to the UK but so long as you are economical with the truth and don't turn bright red like most of my countrymen are doing in the summer over there you should be fine! I seriously can't believe you cannot claim the VAT back even if it is bending the rules slightly. After all the likely hood is you will leave.......eventually....possibly...
cheers Danger UXB

 

[opusman]

I've never had to show a passport in the actual shop as far as I remember, they just fill out the form and stamp it.