Yes, you can reclaim VAT as a tourist, but only under specific conditions

If you are a visitor from outside the UK, you can reclaim the Value Added Tax (VAT) you paid on goods you bought and took out of the country. VAT is a 20% tax added to most items at the till. The refund applies only to physical goods you purchased and removed from the UK within three months — not to services, food eaten in restaurants, or petrol. You must also have been non-resident in the UK for at least two years before your visit.

The process is straightforward in principle: you buy something, get a receipt, ask the shop for a VAT refund form, and claim the money back either at the airport before you leave or through the post later. In practice, the amount matters. Most shops will only process refunds on purchases of £30 or more from a single store on a single day, so small purchases do not may have access to.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a non-resident visitor from outside the UK and take the goods out of the country within three months of purchase to claim VAT back.
  • Most retailers only process refunds on purchases of £30 or more made on the same day at the same shop.
  • You can claim the refund at the airport before departure using a VAT refund form, or by post if you leave without claiming.
  • Refund companies like Global Blue and Planet handle the paperwork for many shops, and they take a commission of 15% to 20% of the refund amount.
  • You will need your passport, receipt, and the VAT refund form — customs may ask to see the goods, so pack them where you can reach them quickly.

Which shops participate and how to get a refund form

Not every shop offers VAT refunds. Department stores, high street chains, and tourist-focused retailers usually do. Small independent shops may not. When you are at the till, ask the cashier whether they process VAT refunds — they will either hand you a form or direct you to a refund company's counter in the shop.

The form you receive depends on which refund company the shop uses. The two largest are Global Blue and Planet. Both work the same way: you fill in your passport details, the shop stamps the form, and you claim the refund at the airport or by post. Some shops use their own forms instead. Keep the receipt and the form together — you will need both.

Claiming your refund at the airport

The fastest way to get your money is to claim at the airport before you leave. Go to the VAT refund desk in the departure area — most UK airports have one, though the location varies. You will need your passport, the VAT refund form, the receipt, and the goods themselves. Customs may open your bag to check that the items match the form, so pack them where you can access them quickly rather than at the bottom of your suitcase.

The process takes 10 to 15 minutes. The desk staff will check your documents, stamp the form, and process the refund. You can usually choose to receive the money as cash, a credit to your card, or a voucher to spend in the airport shops. Cash refunds are when ready. Card refunds take a few days to appear in your account.

Claiming by post if you miss the airport desk

If you leave the UK without claiming at the airport, you can still get your refund by post. Before you leave, ask the refund desk staff for a prepaid envelope or check the form for a return address. Post the form, receipt, and a copy of your passport details back to the refund company from your home country. Include a note with your bank details if you want the refund sent to your card rather than as a cheque.

Refunds by post take 4 to 12 weeks to arrive, depending on the refund company and postal delays. The refund company will deduct a small fee for processing — usually £1 to £3 per form — before sending the money. This is in addition to the commission the shop already paid them, so the total amount you receive is less than the full VAT you paid.

How much commission refund companies take

When you claim a refund, the refund company takes a cut. This commission is typically 15% to 20% of the VAT amount you are owed. For example, if you bought something for £100 plus £20 VAT, and the refund company takes 18%, you would receive £16.40 instead of £20. The shop has already agreed to this fee, so you do not negotiate it — it is built into the system.

This is why the minimum purchase threshold matters. On a £30 purchase, the VAT is £6, and after an 18% commission you receive about £4.92. On a £100 purchase, the VAT is £20, and you receive about £16.40. The larger the purchase, the more worthwhile the refund becomes.

What goods may have access to and what does not

You can claim VAT back on most physical goods: clothes, shoes, electronics, souvenirs, cosmetics, and gifts. You cannot claim on services — haircuts, hotel stays, restaurant meals, or theatre tickets do not may have access to, even though VAT was charged. You also cannot claim on petrol, alcohol bought for consumption in the UK, or goods you consume before leaving (like food from a supermarket that you eat on the plane).

The goods must leave the UK with you within three months of purchase. If you buy something and have it shipped to your home country later, you may still be able to claim, but you will need to provide proof of export — a shipping receipt or customs declaration. Ask the shop whether they can help with this before you buy.

Documents you need to bring to the airport

Gather these before you head to the airport: your passport (the refund company checks your name and residency status), the VAT refund form (stamped by the shop), the original receipt (showing the price and VAT amount), and the goods themselves in their original packaging if possible. If you bought multiple items from the same shop on the same day, they can go on one form. Items from different shops or different days need separate forms.

Pack the goods where you can reach them quickly — in your carry-on bag if they fit, or in an straightforward-to-access part of your checked luggage. Customs staff may ask to see them to confirm they match the form. If you cannot produce the goods, the refund desk may refuse to process the claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to claim the refund at the airport, or can I do it later?

You can claim by post if you miss the airport desk, but it takes 4 to 12 weeks and involves more paperwork. The airport desk is faster and simpler. If you are leaving from a small airport without a refund desk, ask the staff where the nearest one is — you may be able to claim at a larger airport instead.

What if the shop did not give me a VAT refund form?

Ask the shop staff directly — they may have forgotten, or the form may be at a separate counter. If the shop genuinely does not offer refunds, you cannot claim. This is why it is worth asking before you buy, especially on large purchases.

Can I claim VAT back on something I bought online and had shipped to my home country?

Some online retailers will refund VAT at checkout if you provide a non-UK address. Others require you to claim through their refund process after delivery. Check the shop's website or ask customer service before you buy. If you buy in-store and have it shipped, ask the shop whether they can process a VAT refund with proof of export.

What if I am a UK resident but visiting from abroad — can I still claim?

No. You must have been non-resident in the UK for at least two years before your visit. If you live in the UK, you cannot claim VAT refunds on purchases, even if you are temporarily abroad.

Will the refund cover the commission the refund company takes?

No. The commission (15% to 20%) is deducted from the VAT amount you receive. If you are owed £20 in VAT and the company takes 18%, you receive £16.40. This is the standard system at all UK airports.