How to Get My VAT Refunded
For most goods and services purchased in the United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs assesses a value added tax of 20 percent. If you are not a resident of the United Kingdom and you do not live in a member nation of the European Union, you may obtain a refund of any VAT paid while visiting the United Kingdom by presenting the goods and a VAT receipt to a customs official before leaving the country.
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Instructions
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Meet the requirements for a VAT refund. If you are visiting the United Kingdom and do not live in an EU member nation, you must leave the United Kingdom within three months of purchasing goods in order to qualify for a VAT refund. If you live in an EU member nation, you may qualify for a VAT refund if you are leaving the European Union for at least 12 months.
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Make your purchases from a shop utilizing the VAT Retail Export Scheme. Not all shops in the United Kingdom issue the documents necessary for obtaining a VAT refund. Before making a purchase for which you wish to obtain a refund, ask whether the merchant participates in the VAT Retail Export Scheme. If it does not participate, it will issue you either a VAT 407 form or VAT Retail Export Scheme sales invoice at the time of purchase. After making a purchase, retain the VAT 407 form or VAT sales invoice issued by the merchant.
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Present goods purchased and the VAT 407 or sales invoice to a customs official when exiting the United Kingdom. When leaving the United Kingdom and the European Union by airplane or ship, present the goods purchased and the VAT 407 form or VAT sales invoice for each good to a customs agent. The customs agent will approve your VAT refund. After the customs agent approves your VAT refund, you may take your VAT 407 form or VAT sales invoice to a refund booth, where you will receive your VAT refund.
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