Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...

[A1aGypsy]

I’m not sure if you are asking if you should intentionally not declare but that kind of conversation doesn’t tend to fly well around here, to be honest.

For some people, Europe is cheaper. If it is cheaper in the UK, I recommend buying it there and just enjoying your holiday. If it is cheaper in the UK but unavailable, well then I would view the duty etc as a “opportunity tax”. I paid it for the opportunity to get the item I really wanted and love.

Also keep in mind that border officers are receiving more sophisticated methods of tracking purchases. Knowing your obligations with respect to duty is expected. Should you find yourself the subject of an investigation, it could potentially really impact future travel among other things. To me, it would never be worth it.

 

[880]

Duty free is a misnomer. The idea is you are not charged EU VAT if you reside outside of the EU. But, you are legally required to pay the customs and tax of your country of origin. If it’s cheaper in the UK, buy it there. Some people love to shop when they travel abroad, and others do not live where luxury shopping is available.

 

[scarvesandhandbags]

I’m not sure if you are asking if you should intentionally not declare but that kind of conversation doesn’t tend to fly well around here, to be honest.

For some people, Europe is cheaper. If it is cheaper in the UK, I recommend buying it there and just enjoying your holiday. If it is cheaper in the UK but unavailable, well then I would view the duty etc as a “opportunity tax”. I paid it for the opportunity to get the item I really wanted and love.

Also keep in mind that border officers are receiving more sophisticated methods of tracking purchases. Knowing your obligations with respect to duty is expected. Should you find yourself the subject of an investigation, it could potentially really impact future travel among other things. To me, it would never be worth it.

I see, thank you! Of course, if I know I have to declare it I will. It’s not worth the hassle. I just want to hear from someone in the U.K. and hear what they went though.

The problem is, if I have something to declare but there are no officers at customs, who do I go to? What do I do then?

 

[scarvesandhandbags]

Duty free is a misnomer. The idea is you are not charged EU VAT if you reside outside of the EU. But, you are legally required to pay the customs and tax of your country of origin. If it’s cheaper in the UK, buy it there. Some people love to shop when they travel abroad, and others do not live where luxury shopping is available.

It’s only slightly cheaper than in the U.K… it will be almost £200 more expensive after tax refund, but then paying customs and tax upon entering the U.K.

 

[yuzulife]

From the Heathrow website:

On 1 January 2021, the UK left the European Union. Passengers continue to be able to use Heathrow to travel from the UK to the EU. There has been some changes at customs and the process of declaring goods.

The blue channel (previously used for arrivals from EEA countries) has closed. All passengers arriving from the EU are required to make a customs declaration by selecting the green channel (nothing to declare) or the red channel (goods to declare).

For more information on the customs changes, view Government advice.


From the UK Customs website:

5. Other goods including gifts and souvenirs
Most travellers can bring other goods into the UK worth up to £390 (e.g. perfume and electrical goods) without paying duty and/or tax in the UK.

However, passengers travelling by private plane or boat for pleasure purposes are only entitled to an allowance of £270 worth of goods.

If you bring in goods over your allowance, you must pay UK taxes on all of the goods in that category, not just those above the allowance.

You cannot share your personal allowances with other passengers.

If you have any goods over these limits, you can pay any tax and duty due from 72 hours in advance of arrival using the HMRC Online Service for Passengers.

If you have made a declaration at duty free goods and have nothing further to declare, you can use the Green Channel when going through customs. You should retain the reference number and your email receipt for your declaration as Border Force officers may ask to check this email.

 

[scarvesandhandbags]

From the Heathrow website:

On 1 January 2021, the UK left the European Union. Passengers continue to be able to use Heathrow to travel from the UK to the EU. There has been some changes at customs and the process of declaring goods.

The blue channel (previously used for arrivals from EEA countries) has closed. All passengers arriving from the EU are required to make a customs declaration by selecting the green channel (nothing to declare) or the red channel (goods to declare).

For more information on the customs changes, view Government advice.


From the UK Customs website:

5. Other goods including gifts and souvenirs
Most travellers can bring other goods into the UK worth up to £390 (e.g. perfume and electrical goods) without paying duty and/or tax in the UK.

However, passengers travelling by private plane or boat for pleasure purposes are only entitled to an allowance of £270 worth of goods.

If you bring in goods over your allowance, you must pay UK taxes on all of the goods in that category, not just those above the allowance.

You cannot share your personal allowances with other passengers.

If you have any goods over these limits, you can pay any tax and duty due from 72 hours in advance of arrival using the HMRC Online Service for Passengers.

If you have made a declaration at duty free goods and have nothing further to declare, you can use the Green Channel when going through customs. You should retain the reference number and your email receipt for your declaration as Border Force officers may ask to check this email.

Thank you. So if the item is 4000 EUR, let’s say 800 of that is tax from the EU country where I buy the item, will the customs and U.K. tax be a percentage of the original 4000EUR item, or the 3200 EUR? So do I have to pay tax and custom at the airport on the pre or post tax price of the bag?

 

[yuzulife]

Thank you. So if the item is 4000 EUR, let’s say 800 of that is tax from the EU country where I buy the item, will the customs and U.K. tax be a percentage of the original 4000EUR item, or the 3200 EUR? So do I have to pay tax and custom at the airport on the pre or post tax price of the bag?

Follow the prompts on this form - it'll walk you through checking on how much you would have to pay. Good luck!

What do you want to do? - Check tax on goods you bring into the UK - GOV.UK

www.tax.service.gov.uk

 

[LittleLambie]

I will be flying in to Zurich for a few days of shopping and sightseeing before taking a train to Milan and flying back home from Milan. If I do make some purchases in Zurich, do I have to get my VAT refund first before leaving for Milan?

 

[QuelleFromage]

I will be flying in to Zurich for a few days of shopping and sightseeing before taking a train to Milan and flying back home from Milan. If I do make some purchases in Zurich, do I have to get my VAT refund first before leaving for Milan?

Yes. Know that because Swiss VAT is lower than in the EU, and because Global Blue likes to take our money, you won't be seeing more than 5% back, probably less. I was in Suisse last week and didn't bother with tax refund because in the end I was getting 3-4%.

 

[sibsib]

I traveled from the UK to my home country (outside of Europe) via Paris, and will be traveling back to London with a bag purchased from Hermès at CDG airport. Has anyone had recent experience bringing back a bag bought in Paris to the UK? Unsure whether the clothing duty rate or the other goods rate applies.

 

[pippa_nyc]

I just got back from Paris and Italy and got all my VAT refunds back in USD. It feels like such a scam. Much better to shop at the airport. Thank goodness I bought some of my bags at the airport where you can just get 12% directly deducted.

 

[bingster]

Hi all, I’m planning on traveling to Germany next month and will be taking the train from Strasbourg to Zurich. What’s the easiest way to get my VAT refund before entering Switzerland? I know I need to stop at one of the border towns but I’m not sure which one. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[KensingtonUK]

Hi all, I’m planning on traveling to Germany next month and will be taking the train from Strasbourg to Zurich. What’s the easiest way to get my VAT refund before entering Switzerland? I know I need to stop at one of the border towns but I’m not sure which one. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

When I did this a few years ago, in Zurich when going through customs I had them stamp the form. However I then had to mail in the form. The process might have changed.

 

[JT06]

Hello….Did anyone know what is the process for vat refund in Hamburg? I am traveling from Hamburg to Singapore with an 1 1/2 hr layover in Frankfurt.

Do I do vat refund in Hamburg airport and check in my items all the way to Singapore. Or, do vat refund in Frankfurt but I only have 1 1/2 hr layover which I might not make it if flight delayed.

Lastly, I have purchased a Bvlgari necklace and I am not sure if I felt comfortable to check in the item. Would prefer to hand carry if possible.

 

[Cartier<3]

Hello,

I am in a bit of a dilemma and was wondering if anyone can give some advice. I bought pave love bracelet and ring in Bangkok over 1 year ago and STILL have not seen my VAT return. I contacted my Cartier SA in Bangkok Siam Paragon and she said they are very backed up and may take a year. At this point, it’s getting close to a year and a half. Does anyone have some insight? Thanks. Btw, I would not recommend making any big purchase in Thailand for VAT refund. Not very reliable and everything was done by hand- no apps or electronic tracking.