Recovery of VAT on a retuned item imported from Italy.

Robbhp

Firstly thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Looking to make a purchase of an expensive 2nd hand item from Italy. There will be a significant element of VAT applied and I would like to know if I have an issue with the item and it needs to be returned ( this is agreed with the seller) that the VAT element can be refunded back to me. The presumption is I would need to fill in some HMRC forms but would presume there may be something more automated.

This is purchased from a retailer to myself personally not B2B, most of the advice I can find is all to do with B2B

Again thank you for your assistance. 

Alderbank

You might get more replies if you tell us what it is. Different things have different VAT rules.

Looking at your title is it an antique musical instrument like a Stradivarius?

Robbhp

Is some Jewelry, just seen the typo in the title I will see if I can fix it. 

Manxman_in_exile

I'm not sure but I think there was a similar thread a couple of months ago?  I can't remember the details but I think they had a problem because they'd returned the item before they reclaimed the VAT/duty, which apparently was the wrong thing to do.

Whatever you do, follow the process to the letter.  This wasn't so much of a problem pre-Brexit and I think they are still refining how things work.

There'll be nothing automated.  You'll have to complete some forms.

mattyprice4004

The process is long winded and in no way automated - you’ll need to fill some forms in as mentioned.