Can I claim back VAT on purchases in EU?

scottiescott

Can I now claim back VAT on purchases made in a EU country? I frequently take home relatively high value items from holidays in the EU. I've had a dig around and it would appear there is some sort of mechanism but not sure of the criteria. I am not a business and not VAT registered. 
Thanks in advance.

sheramber

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/guide-vat-refund-visitors-eu_en

https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain

Allowance for other goods

You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).

If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance.

You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.

p3ncilsharpener

scottiescott said:

Can I now claim back VAT on purchases made in a EU country? I frequently take home relatively high value items from holidays in the EU. I've had a dig around and it would appear there is some sort of mechanism but not sure of the criteria. I am not a business and not VAT registered. 
Thanks in advance.

The opposite is true, in all likelihood you'll have to pay VAT on the items you bring back, and if they're not produced entirely within the EU, duty to boot.

You can potentially ask for the EU VAT back, if it was imposed, but good luck with that.

eDicky

In the past I have purchased goods in EU countries and claimed back the local purchase tax (ie. VAT) when departing for a non-EU destination (minus some commission).

So, in theory at least, it would be refundable when now taking such goods to UK, unless it's negated somehow in the Withdrawal Agreement.

As for the mechanism, I don't have a good recollection of how it was done, having claimed when departing various countries. Often the retailer can supply a tax refund form which you take to a desk in the airport, showing that you have the goods with you if necessary.

I seem to remember doing this for items purchased at a Dutch department store, where they reimbursed me at a counter upstairs, but I'm not certain.

Your could check tourist organisation websites for the country you visit.

martindow

I've noticed counters in large French shops such as Galeries Lafayette in Paris where French VAT can be reclaimed.  It was aimed at Chinese customers in the main but British presumably are now eligible for this.

I've just found a page on their site regarding this

https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/tax-refunds/