Claiming VAT back on watch bought in France... help please!
Discussion
Chaps, can anyone advise how easy it is to claim back VAT on an EU purchased watch when returning to UK? Is it a question of getting a VAT receipt from the seller and presenting it to customs at the departure airport on the way back?
If yes, is that before or after passport control? Is it straighforward (i.e. not time consuming)? And presumably I don't then need to declare on arrival in UK?
I'm looking at a lovely Mido Multifort which is around 1100 euros. No dice on a discount in-store, but if
I can get a rebate on the VAT I may do it. Would need to be this afternoon though and I don't have much time to "do my own research" so advice gratefully received.
If yes, is that before or after passport control? Is it straighforward (i.e. not time consuming)? And presumably I don't then need to declare on arrival in UK?
I'm looking at a lovely Mido Multifort which is around 1100 euros. No dice on a discount in-store, but if
I can get a rebate on the VAT I may do it. Would need to be this afternoon though and I don't have much time to "do my own research" so advice gratefully received.
Tax back is a fairly easy (notwithstanding French bureaucracy) process before you go through passport control at CDG. The retailer should give you a receipt with a QR code for claiming tax back. There are a couple of kiosks at the airport and you just scan it, enter some details and a few weeks later the money appears in your account.
As per above, you are legally required to declare when coming back into the UK. That much said, I know a lot of people chance going through nothing to declare.
As per above, you are legally required to declare when coming back into the UK. That much said, I know a lot of people chance going through nothing to declare.
Is it getting posted. Or are you over there? If you are there stick it on your wrist and mail the box back.
Yes it’s vat fraud but feck it in the grand scheme of things.
Edited not vat fraud but excise duty fraud or whatever. But ffs are you nuts.
Yes it’s vat fraud but feck it in the grand scheme of things.
Edited not vat fraud but excise duty fraud or whatever. But ffs are you nuts.
Edited by shambolic on Thursday 19th October 21:51
Soleith said:
Tax back is a fairly easy (notwithstanding French bureaucracy) process before you go through passport control at CDG. The retailer should give you a receipt with a QR code for claiming tax back. There are a couple of kiosks at the airport and you just scan it, enter some details and a few weeks later the money appears in your account.
As per above, you are legally required to declare when coming back into the UK. That much said, I know a lot of people chance going through nothing to declare.
Would seem easy for them to follow this up if your details are entered into the system.As per above, you are legally required to declare when coming back into the UK. That much said, I know a lot of people chance going through nothing to declare.
shambolic said:
How is some security guy who doesn’t give a toss going to know you bought a watch in France if you are wearing it ?
Customs officers aren’t your airport security. Two different roles. And I’d imagine border force probably check for empty watch boxes at the parcel post depot for that exact reason of people trying to post the empty box…
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