VAT Refunds

Don't you also need to pay UK VAT on those purchases when you bring them in? Unless bought in a 'tax-free zone' like Canaries or Channel Islands? (not been abroad for ages so lost track of rules :( )
 
Many years ago we went on a cruise to the Caribbean islands. 25th wedding anniversary. We each bought a Breitling watch, as they were about half the price of what we would pay here.
On arrival back at Gatport Airwick I thought we are nice honest people so we went into the red corner. No one there, as it was 05:30 hrs. A notice said 'if the desk isn't attended please dial 0 on the telephone'. So that's what I did. The snoring from the other end subsided and he groaned "what do you want?"
"We brought a couple of Breitling watches in the caribbean"
"Are you wearing them?"
"Yes"
"Well, they are second hand then, we aren't interested. Go home"

Edit:
More recently on visits particularly to Norway we bought a few innocuous things like nice warm outdoor coats, and provided you buy them at the port shop they deduct the VAT at the point of sale.
 
saxonborg said:
Anybody aware of Skiptax.com for Vat refunds on purchases made on the continent?
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yes we have been out a few years now think its because of the B word but since then a lot of cheap booze supermarkets around Calais has closed because no more booze cruises . our favorite was pidou at Calais NOW closed but they still have 2 more places at marck & Dunkirk . we was there on our way home after wintering in Spain & always call going & coming hence a heft payload :ROFLMAO: & they always ask if we want to take a form to get the vat back but we never bother seams to much hassle to me anyway we get a good discount . cheyenne

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Don't know about Skiptax, we've used Global Blue in France, worked OK but the refund took a while.
 
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