VAT refund

[superman]

If I take the missus back to the UK for a holiday, can she claim back the VAT on items she buys. Plus, I believe she may be able get back the VAT from our hotel. Has anyone got any experiences ? Thanks.

[Thetyim]

It's only possible to get a VAT refund on unused goods that you are taking out of the country so forget the hotel bill


http://www.aboutimmigration.co.uk/cl...eaving-uk.html

[baldrick]

anyone got a link on the refund process at swampy ?

any experiences with it recently ? is it worth the hassle ?

[crocodilexp]

The process is roughly as follows:

1. Get the yellow VAT refund receipt from the store when you buy your item. They will fill it out for you.
2. Present the receipt and the item at the VAT refund office for verification before you pass immigration. They will stamp the receipt. The office is at departures level, before check-in counters, close to the entry door (you can ask around).
3. Once you get past immigration/security, go to one of the offices airside to get the actual refund (minus 100 baht handling charge).
4. Change baht you get to foreign currency (if you're not planning on going back soon).

A lot of hassle, but may be worth if you bought several items with value over 5000 baht or so. The refund is 7% minus 100 baht, so you get 250 back on a 5000 baht item, 600 back on a 10k item. You can only claim it for physical goods you carry with you, not services like hotels, meals etc.

[can123]

If I take the missus back to the UK for a holiday, can she claim back the VAT on items she buys. Plus, I believe she may be able get back the VAT from our hotel. Has anyone got any experiences ? Thanks.

Please see this

HM Revenue & Customs: VAT refunds for visitors to the UK

Of particular relevance is this :

Goods you can claim refunds for
You can obtain VAT refunds for anything on which you pay VAT in the UK apart from the following:
new or used cars
a boat you plan to sail outside the EU
goods worth more than £600 exported for business purposes
goods to be exported as freight
goods that need an export licence - except antiques
unmounted gemstones
bullion over 125g, 2.75 troy ounces or ten Tolas
mail order goods, including Internet sales
goods used or partly used in the EU, such as perfume
service charges, such as hotel expenses

[crocodilexp]

One more thing... you have to be a foreigner to claim VAT refund, it's not for Thai citizens. Also, officially, I think you must be on a tourist visa (not non-B or work permit), but they don't bother to check.

[superman]

Just found the answer I needed. VAT is only reclaimable if items that were bought from a shop in the 'VAT retail export scheme'. You cannot claim back VAT from retailers not affiliated to that scheme.

To be able to claim a VAT refund:

- You must be from a country which is outside the EU (European Union)
- You must leave the UK (and the EU) within 3 months of the date when you make your purchase
- If you are a student then you must be about to finish your studies in the UK. After you have left you must be planning to remain outside of the UK for a period of at least 12 months
- You must buy from a shop which takes part in the "Retail Export Scheme" (these shops will display a "Tax-free shopping" sign in their window)
- Usually you must spend more than a minimum amount in the shop (for example: £50 or £100)

British shop guide: buy from stores in UK/Britain/England