Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

VAT return when purchasing an ipad2 in UK

4

4004

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 11, 2010
88
0
Hi
I am planning to travel to Brighton, UK in summer and because there are no apple resellers in my counrty, I would like to get an ipad2 from apple store(or its online counterpart, just for the sake of engraving)
The questions is whether I will be able to get a VAT(20%) refund at the airport when leaing the UK if I buy it at their online store or at the local apple store? It's not clear at the apple website
Thanks in advance
 
Ok, so no vat return for online store as I understand it, but there is a possibility they return it with their local stores
 
Or you could just buy it at the airport on your way home? The big airports like Heathrow and Gatwick both have a Currys (well known electrical retailer) in their terminals. You might want to phone them first to make sure they have it in stock.
 
Vat returns in the UK are not handled in the store they are handled at the airport. There is a special VAT office after you go through Immigration. You need to have the item you purchased and the original receipt showing the Vat.

You take it to the Vat counter and you get the refund there and then. The procedure is very simple.

The information provided in post 2 is accurate.
 
nebo1ss said:
Vat returns in the UK are not handled in the store they are handled at the airport. There is a special VAT office after you go through Immigration. You need to have the item you purchased and the original receipt showing the Vat.

You take it to the Vat counter and you get the refund there and then. The procedure is very simple.

The information provided in post 2 is accurate.
Click to expand...

the question is not where I can return the VAT, but if they provide the VAT receipt when you purchase it through their online store
I may also have a look at some retailers at the airport, but ipads can be out of stock there
 
Last edited:
RS232 said:
You can not claim back VAT from items purchased from the on-line store... No VAT receipt.
Click to expand...

Not true. Whenever I've bought something from the Apple UK website I've always been sent an email invoice. This includes the Apple UK VAT registration number so is a valid VAT receipt.
 
Phil Lee said:
Not true. Whenever I've bought something from the Apple UK website I've always been sent an email invoice. This includes the Apple UK VAT registration number so is a valid VAT receipt.
Click to expand...

and you were able to claim that vat?
engraving is no big deal, but looks neat
 
4004 said:
and you were able to claim that vat?
engraving is no big deal, but looks neat
Click to expand...

Just having a receipt does not entitle you to get the VAT back, the retailer needs to be part of the retail export scheme.

More info here: http://bit.ly/kB6Xu6

You could buy an iPad from a department store such as John Lewis or from Currys electrical stores and they are I believe both part of the Retail Export scheme.
 
ACDeag said:
Just having a receipt does not entitle you to get the VAT back, the retailer needs to be part of the retail export scheme.

More info here: http://bit.ly/kB6Xu6

You could buy an iPad from a department store such as John Lewis or from Currys electrical stores and they are I believe both part of the Retail Export scheme.
Click to expand...

ok, thank you all, will try to orientate when I'm in the Uk, question closed
 
Apple UK are in the VAT Retail Export Scheme

If you are a non-UK resident you can buy at Apple. You MUST get a VAT Retail Export Schem receipt, not just the normal VAT receipt. This is printed electronically at the Apple store on prduction of your passport.
At the airport show the goods and receipt at the VAT desk. They stamp it and you post it back in the freepost envelopes provided. It goes to a company that processes these claims, they take a commission. Then the refund is credited to the bank card used to make the payment. I have done this with an iphone. I should have also done it with a Macbook Air which I bought at Dubai Duty free before I new that Apple were in the VAT retail export scheme.
Not sure of refund process is you buy the goods with cash.
 
Bradhiduk said:
If you are a non-UK resident you can buy at Apple. You MUST get a VAT Retail Export Schem receipt, not just the normal VAT receipt. This is printed electronically at the Apple store on prduction of your passport.
At the airport show the goods and receipt at the VAT desk. They stamp it and you post it back in the freepost envelopes provided. It goes to a company that processes these claims, they take a commission. Then the refund is credited to the bank card used to make the payment. I have done this with an iphone. I should have also done it with a Macbook Air which I bought at Dubai Duty free before I new that Apple were in the VAT retail export scheme.
Not sure of refund process is you buy the goods with cash.
Click to expand...

You are 3 years too late.... :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back