Can we avoid VAT if buying something in France?

[MisterB]

I've got my eyes on a couple of Lafuma chairs in a local shop in France. Does anyone know the process for getting them tax free - I assume they will be under the tax import threshold back to the UK as they work out at around £110 each or £88 if I can avoid local VAT! All helps to subsidise the tunnel costs!!

 

[chaser]

I've got my eyes on a couple of Lafuma chairs in a local shop in France. Does anyone know the process for getting them tax free - I assume they will be under the tax import threshold back to the UK as they work out at around £110 each or £88 if I can avoid local VAT! All helps to subsidise the tunnel costs!!

I have often seen these posters on shop windows and wondered how you go about it.

 

[Sue and Rick]

Over a certain amount. I can’t remember it. You have to declare and pay the duty as you are importing. That’s why we get charged extra by the carrier when you buy from eu.

 

[Sue and Rick]

Here you go from HMRC website

Allowance for other goods​

You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).

If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance.

You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.


Full document

Bringing goods into the UK for personal use

Bringing in goods for personal use when you travel to the UK from abroad - types of tax and duty, duty free, EU and non-EU arrivals, banned and restricted goods.

www.gov.uk

 

[David and Sally]

I believe the seller takes off their VAT and you declare it back in the UK. Just buy them, wear them in a bit and put them in the Moho.

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[Gina M]

Not sure about that. I once bought some roasted chick peas from the states and had to pay a massive 11 quid in tax before I could have them delivered to me.

Gina

 

[MisterB]

It looks like you don't get the full 20% back, just 12% - but I suppose 12% still equates to £27 (approx) .... so added to the duty free allowances, it subsidises the crossing a little ...

 

[jdk62]

Not sure about that. I once bought some roasted chick peas from the states and had to pay a massive 11 quid in tax before I could have them delivered to me.

Gina

Hope it was a lot of roasted chick peas for that amount..

 

[Riverbankannie]

I believe the seller takes off their VAT and you declare it back in the UK. Just buy them, wear them in a bit and put them in the Moho.

Back in the old days, when buying goods duty free of vat in Stockholm, only certain shops could do it and the goods were packaged and sealed and had to go through customs like that. I don’t know if that has changed.

 

[Phill D]

I was of the opinion that there were specific places to take the item and receipt at ports to get this authorised.
Otherwise , anyone could get the tax of and not exporting the item.

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[DangerMousy]

I think the shop selling them has to be part of the tax-free shopping scheme and you have to spend over a certain amount to qualify. The shop needs to fill in some forms and then at your port of departure from the EU you need to get the forms stamped by customs (I know Eurotunnel have a facility in the Calais terminal for this - though I've never used it). Also, I believe the items need to be unused and available for inspection when you export them. You should get back the VAT minus any handling/processing fees. Plus you should be declaring your purchases when entering the UK and paying any tax/duty due.

I thought about doing it (mainly for wine purchases) but the main stumbling block was to find shops who are members of the scheme. I think its more set up for luxury goods (watches, handbags, etc.) than normal things. Seemed like too much hassle for me.

 

[Gina M]

Hope it was a lot of roasted chick peas for that amount..

It was a box of ten packets, really nice roasted and spiced chick peas. I was still miffed though that no one told me about the tax If another Accountant says to me, why didn't to talk to me first, I will scream !!!

Gina

 

[Burgo]

Pretty well exactly how DangerMousy said. The shop will either refund you in a few weeks, or you reclaim it through a handling company. Over here in Spain El Corte Inglés has a desk to process the claims - nb I suspect small shops may not be in the system / have a clue what to do. Just Google it - there's loads of info on how to do it & info from HM gov.

 

[Abgs]

I bought a Sonos speaker in El Corte Inglés in Barcelona in November as it was 20% off in the Black Friday sale, a further 10% back on a gift card plus the VAT reclaim.

The shop gave me a document which I had to show at the airport along with the unopened goods to reclaim the VAT - however … the VAT reclaim people took a fee, plus insisted I had to have the reclaim in cash in sterling at their exchange rate … reckon I got back half the VAT amount. Still a good deal thou.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

The below link is mainly for Paris but the rules are the same,you have to get the vat refund at the port of exit.

‘Détaxe’ tax refund and duty free - Paris Tourist Office

en.parisinfo.com

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