Reclaiming VAT

[SlackBladder]

I'll try to as brief as possible,

I'm a UK citizen but living in the Philippines.
I've been offered a watch from an authorised dealer in Windsor, which would mean me flying back to the UK to collect.
Is there any way of claiming the VAT back as I would effectively be exporting it and not keeping it in the UK?

Any advise appreciated TIA

[MyM2006]

There is no VAT free shopping in the UK any more.

This would be an indirect export of a personal item and as such is eleigible for VAT, if it was for business then that would change it.

If the dealer sent it direct to you in the Philippines then there would be no VAT as its a direct export.

[PoorCarCollector]

Yes, sadly the scheme was closed back in 2021 to no longer allow VAT reclaims.

https://data.london.gov.uk/blog/the-impact-of-endi...

[Michael_B]

MyM2006 said:

If the dealer sent it direct to you in the Philippines then there would be no VAT as its a direct export.

But goodness knows how much local customs duty and VAT to pay to import it officially? And I would imagine PH customs officers are reasonably savvy about 'imaginative/pessimistic' commercial invoice values.

Having lived for 25 years in one non-EU country with relatively low VAT (currently 8.1% and since 2023 no customs duties) just a few kilometres away from an EU country (20% VAT plus sometimes quite high duty rates) such things have influenced a few of our purchase/transport decisions over the years.

[ESSEM123]

I doubt you can turn up and collect it but if they post it there might be an angle.

It likely depends on which VAT scheme the selling business is signed up to. We don't pay VAT on exports. If the final delivery address is outside GB+NI, then no VAT due. (If I've understood the accountant correctly.)

They may be limits on single item value, type of goods etc.