You can get a VAT refund on goods you buy in the UK, but only if you meet specific conditions and follow the right steps before you leave

The UK allows non-residents to reclaim Value Added Tax (VAT) on physical goods purchased in shops, but not on services, food eaten in restaurants, or fuel. You must be a resident of a country outside the UK and EU, buy from a participating retailer, spend above a minimum threshold (usually £30 per shop), and export the goods out of the UK within three months of purchase. The refund comes from the retailer or a refund service, not from the government directly.

The process requires you to get a receipt, ask the shop for a VAT refund form at the point of sale, and have both the form and goods checked by UK customs as you leave. Without the customs stamp, the refund service will not pay you. Most refunds take four to eight weeks to arrive after you leave the country.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a non-UK and non-EU resident to claim a VAT refund on goods purchased in UK shops.
  • The minimum spend is usually £30 per retailer, though some shops set higher thresholds.
  • You need a VAT refund form from the retailer at the time of purchase, not after you get home.
  • Customs must inspect and stamp your form and goods before you leave the UK, or the refund will be refused.
  • Refunds typically arrive four to eight weeks after you submit them, paid to your card or bank account.

Who can claim a VAT refund as a tourist

You can claim a VAT refund if you are a resident of a country outside the UK and the EU, and you are visiting the UK temporarily. This includes tourists from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most other non-EU countries. If you live in any EU country, you cannot claim, even if you are visiting the UK.

You must also be over 14 years old and not working in the UK. If you are a UK resident or have a UK address, you do not may have access to, even if you hold a foreign passport. The refund service will ask for proof of your non-UK residency, usually your passport showing your home country.

Which goods and shops are covered

VAT refunds apply to physical goods you take out of the UK — clothes, electronics, souvenirs, cosmetics, and similar items. The goods must be new and unused. Food, alcohol, fuel, services (haircuts, hotel stays, restaurant meals), and items you consume in the UK do not may have access to.

Not all shops participate in the VAT refund scheme. Large department stores and tourist-focused retailers usually do; small independent shops may not. Ask at the till whether the shop offers VAT refunds before you pay. If they do, they will give you a form at checkout. If they do not, you cannot claim later.

The minimum spend and how to claim at the till

Most retailers set a minimum spend of £30 per shop before they will issue a VAT refund form. Some shops have higher minimums (£50 or £75). You must reach this threshold in a single transaction or sometimes across multiple purchases on the same day at the same shop — ask the retailer what their rule is.

When you pay, tell the cashier you want to claim VAT back. They will give you a refund form (usually called a VAT 407 form or a retailer-specific form) and a receipt. Keep both. Do not throw away the receipt or the form — you need both at customs. Some shops use third-party refund services like Global Blue or Planet; the process is the same, but the form may have a different name.

Getting your form stamped by UK customs before you leave

This step is essential and cannot be skipped. Before you leave the UK — at the airport, port, or train station — you must show your goods, receipt, and refund form to UK customs. They will inspect the items to confirm they are new and unused, then stamp the form. Without this stamp, the refund service will reject your claim.

Go to the customs desk or VAT refund counter before you check in your luggage or board your transport. If your goods are in checked luggage, you may need to retrieve them for inspection. Some airports have dedicated VAT refund counters; others use the standard customs desk. Ask at your departure point where to go. If you leave the UK without getting the form stamped, you cannot claim the refund later.

How to submit your form and receive the refund

After customs stamps your form, you have two options. Some retailers and refund services let you submit the form at the airport itself — they have drop boxes or counters where you can hand it in immediately and receive cash or a card refund on the spot. Others require you to mail the form back to the retailer or refund service after you get home.

If you mail it, send the stamped form and receipt to the address on the form, usually within a set timeframe (often 30 days). Keep a copy for your records. The refund will be sent to the card or bank account you provide on the form. Processing takes four to eight weeks from the date they receive it. Some services charge a small fee (2–5%) for processing, which comes out of your refund.

What to do if your refund is delayed or refused

If eight weeks have passed and you have not received your refund, contact the retailer or refund service using the details on your form. Have your receipt, form number, and the date you submitted ready. They can check the status and resubmit if needed.

If your claim is refused, the most common reason is a missing or incomplete customs stamp. Customs must have stamped the form and inspected the goods; a stamp from any other source does not count. If you left the UK without getting the form stamped, you cannot recover the refund. If the form was stamped but the refund is still refused, contact the service to ask why — sometimes information on the form does not match your payment method or passport details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to keep the goods in their original packaging?

No, but they must be unused and in resalable condition. Customs will inspect them, so do not open or wear items before you leave the UK. If you have used something, customs may refuse to stamp the form.

Can I claim VAT back on items I buy online and have shipped to my home country?

No. You must physically take the goods out of the UK yourself and have them inspected by customs. Online purchases shipped abroad do not may have access to for the tourist VAT refund scheme.

What if I buy something at the airport duty-free shop?

Duty-free shops do not charge VAT, so there is nothing to refund. The price you see is the final price. This is different from regular shops in the airport terminal, which do charge VAT and may offer refunds.

Can I claim a refund if I am visiting the UK for work?

No. The scheme is for tourists and temporary visitors only. If you are working in the UK, even for a short contract, you are not a tourist and do not may have access to.

How much VAT will I actually get back?

VAT in the UK is 20% on most goods. The refund is usually 15–18% of the purchase price after the retailer and refund service take their fees. A £100 item will refund roughly £15–18, not the full 20%.