VAT refund at Heathrow question

[datal1]

Hi,

I did a search and found some information but the thread was 4 years old so not sure if things have changed or not.

I've never been to Heathrow airport, and have never sought a VAT refund from overseas before.

I'll be buying a Louis Vuitton bag for my mum in Paris and a wallet for myself, then taking a train to London before departing London back to Melb on the 19th Feb.

I'll have the wallet on me to show at either before or after security/check in but what happens with the handbag? It's a high value item so they may want to see it, but I don't particularly want to carry the handbag i'd like to check it in have it in my luggage for the flight home. Can this be done or will they require me to show it after security and after my luggage has been checked in to get the VAT refund?

Thanks!

 

[simongr]

Flying out of T3 earlier in the year I was confronted with the enormous queue for checked items fro VAT refunds. This is before check in and sort of stuck on the outside of the terminal. Thankfully I was not checking the items in so could do the refund inside - much much quicker. There are reports of people being in the queue for hours.

So I think you can get the item sighted there and then check the item in. If you are travelling with checked luggage I would put as much in checked luggage as you can and take the handbag in your hand luggage - if possible.

 

[Andyzx]

I will confirm that the usual Tax refund scheme queues are long (yes hours) and probably not worth missing your flight for. They are outside between the T3 entrance for checkin C and D/E if I remember correctly. They may be shorter for other terminals, you would need to do some research.

On the Heathrow website it does give you the alternative of the Travelex desks, but I have not used these. Check with them as they may charge fees for the refund. Note high value items need to be check after security, but not sure if this includes bags.
Heathrow: VAT refunds

 

[ts911993]

When I was at Heathrow in October, the line outside was enormous. I unpacked all the things I'd bought, put them in my carry-on, and used the refund desk inside. Took all of 10 minutes. You are supposed to show the goods to the clerks, but they didn't even check mine other than take a cursory look at the bag.

 

[A330]

Went through T3 in July and joined the outside line for VAT refund. Only waited 30 min to get to the front of the line.

I could see that when people would tell the staff that their items were in their checked luggage (and their luggage was already checked-in), the staff would tell them that they can't claim. My items were in my checked luggage but I was yet to check-in. The staff didn't even ask where my items were, once she saw my Australian passport she just signed the form and gave me my receipt.

After check-in I saw the inside line for VAT refund. It was even longer than the one outside so may not always be better.