How To Claim A VAT Tax Refund

By Liam McGulliver Fletcher

Any person visiting the UK or a few other surrounding countries is entitled to shop with tax-free discount at the shops that take part in the tax free scheme. Shops that participate in this scheme usually have the tax free logo outside to let passers by know. In order to be eligible for the tax free scheme, you must be a resident of a country outside the EU and a visitor to the UK, this is why many people like coming to the UK to shop for goods at heavily discounted prices.

One can claim for the VAT only after having spent a bare minimum amount on the purchase. The minimum amount varies from country to country. And once the purchase is over and you are waiting for a refund, you will have to show proof of exportation by getting it stamped at the Customs office. Once your tax free cheque is stamped you may get the refund from various refund offices and you can choose a way that is convenient for you. Frequently, the tax refund is credited to the credit card or in certain cases the money is sent to the bank account.

It has never before been so full of saving opportunity for people from another continent to come and shop in the UK, and so if you are from outside the EU and you intend to visit the UK, you should make sure that you have enough room in your luggage to store any goods you buy in tax free stores separately from the rest of your purchases.

Tax free shopping is as simple as this...once the purchase is over ask for a refund cheque, get the stamp by the customs before the final departure from the European Union and when you show your passport, credit card and the refund cheque at the nearest refund office, you can get the amount into your account.

The tax free shopping scheme is a facility available to tourists from various countries outside the EU when they visit either the UK or one of the other participating countries. - 31821

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