How can I get a VAT refund after I've left the UK from Luton Airport?
I'm a non-EU citizen. I left London from Luton Airport at 23:30. I did not find the blue HM customs post, so I took the VAT refund paper with me. How I can request the refund? Can I send it by post? To which address?
Best Answer
Your citizenship is not relevant; where you live is. You need to leave the EU at the latest three months after you bought the goods. I think you may already be too late unless you are still in the EU and are planning to leave it shortly.
To quote from the HM Revenue & Customs website:
If you're travelling outside the EU, you must show your goods, receipts and your refund form to UK customs staff at the airport you're leaving from. Make sure you arrive at the airport early so that you have plenty of time to deal with the customs staff before your departure.
If you're travelling to another country within the EU before you finally leave the EU, then you must show your goods and refund form to customs officials in that country when you leave it.
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If there aren't any customs officials at the port or airport you're leaving from, there will be a telephone you can use to ring an official or a clearly marked customs post box in which you can leave your refund form. Customs officials will collect it from there and if they are satisfied that all requirements have been met, they will contact the retailer to arrange your VAT refund.
There does not appear to be any provision for posting the form.
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Can I get my VAT back when leaving UK?
If you are visiting Britain, you can sometimes reclaim this VAT cost before you leave. You do this through HMRC's Retail Export Scheme, also known as tax-free shopping. It only applies to goods you buy in the UK to take home to another country. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to services.Can you claim VAT after leaving country?
Yes, you can get a VAT refund even for your online purchases. The same rules apply: you must be a permanent resident in a non-EU country and the amount you paid must be above the minimum prescribed by the country of the online store.Can I reclaim EU VAT after Brexit?
Claiming a refund on or after 1 January 2021 If you're charged VAT in an EU member state, you'll normally be able to reclaim this from the tax authority in that country. You'll need to make your claim using either: the EU VAT refund system. the 13th Directive process.How do I get my full VAT refund?
The big refund agencies have facilities at all the major EU airports; sometimes, they're at a currency exchange. Just show them your stamped customs forms and your passport and you'll get your refund, minus a fee. VAT refund agencies like Global Blue have locations in major airports where you can get your VAT refund.VAT Refund - *Everything You Need to Know* | AmandaRaeRevue
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