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

If you are a non-UK resident and you buy goods in the UK, you can reclaim the VAT (Value Added Tax) you paid on those purchases — but only if you meet the conditions set by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The refund applies to goods you take out of the UK within three months of purchase, not to services or goods you consume in the country. The amount you get back is the VAT portion of the price, which is 20 percent of the pre-tax cost on most items.

The process requires you to ask the shop for a VAT refund form at the point of sale, keep your receipts and goods unopened, and then claim the refund either at the airport before you leave or through a refund company after you return home. Not every shop participates — you will see signs in the window if they do — and there are minimum purchase thresholds that vary by retailer.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a non-UK resident, and the goods must leave the UK within three months of purchase for you to claim a refund.
  • You need a VAT refund form from the shop at the time of purchase; you cannot go back later and ask for one.
  • Your goods must be unused and in their original packaging when you claim the refund, and you must show them to customs if asked.
  • You can claim the refund at the airport before departure or through a refund company after you return home, depending on which method the shop offers.
  • Not all shops participate, and many have a minimum spend requirement (often £25 to £100) before they will issue a refund form.

Who qualifies for a VAT refund

You must be a resident of a country outside the UK to claim a refund. This includes tourists from the EU, US, Australia, Canada, and anywhere else outside the UK. If you live in the UK, even temporarily, you do not may have access to. HMRC uses your passport to verify your residency at the point of claim.

The goods themselves must be new and unused. If you open a box, wear an item, or consume part of a purchase, you lose the right to claim. The shop will ask to see the goods in their original state when you request the refund form, and customs may ask again at the airport. Services — meals, hotel stays, theatre tickets, haircuts — are never refundable, only physical goods.

What you need to do at the shop

Ask for a VAT refund form before you pay. Do not wait until you are leaving the UK. The shop must issue the form at the point of sale, and you cannot claim a refund on a receipt alone. The form will show the shop name, the items purchased, the VAT amount, and your passport details. Keep the form, your receipt, and your goods together.

Not every shop offers refunds. Department stores like Harrods, Selfridges, and John Lewis do. Many independent retailers do not. Look for a sign in the window or ask the cashier. If the shop does not participate, you cannot claim through HMRC directly — you have no other route.

Some shops have a minimum purchase amount. This might be £25, £50, or £100 depending on the retailer. If you spend less than the threshold, the shop will not issue a form. Check before you shop if the minimum matters to you.

Claiming your refund at the airport

The most straightforward method is to claim at the airport before you leave the UK. Go to the VAT refund desk in the departure area — most major airports have one, though the location varies. You will need your passport, the VAT refund form, your receipt, and the goods themselves (unopened and in original packaging). The customs officer will inspect the items to confirm they are unused.

Once customs approves the form, you can choose how to receive your money. Some desks offer cash refunds on the spot, though this is becoming less common. More often, you will be offered a credit to your credit card, which takes three to five working days to appear. A few shops use refund companies that process the claim after you leave; in that case, you will receive instructions on the form about how to submit it.

The refund desk can have long queues, especially during peak travel times. Arrive at the airport with extra time and have your documents ready. If you miss the desk or your flight leaves before you can claim, you can still pursue a refund through the refund company route, though this takes longer.

Claiming through a refund company after you leave

If you did not claim at the airport, or if the shop uses a refund company, you can submit your claim after you return home. The shop will have given you instructions on the VAT refund form — usually a website address and a reference number. You will need to mail the original form and receipt to the company, along with proof that you have left the UK (a boarding pass or passport stamp).

Processing takes four to eight weeks. The refund company deducts a commission (usually 15 to 25 percent of the VAT amount) before sending you the money. This means you receive less than if you had claimed at the airport, where no commission is taken. Some companies offer credit card refunds, others send a cheque, and some offer store credit if you are returning to the UK.

Keep copies of everything you send. If the company loses your form or the refund does not arrive, you will need proof of what you submitted. Take a photo of the form and receipt before you post them.

Goods you cannot claim on

Services are never refundable: hotel bills, restaurant meals, theatre tickets, spa treatments, and transport all fall outside the scheme. Only physical goods count. Alcohol and tobacco have special rules — you can claim the VAT, but there are limits on the quantities you can take out of the UK, and customs may question large amounts.

Items you have used or opened cannot be refunded. This includes cosmetics if the seal is broken, clothes if they have been worn, and electronics if they have been powered on. The shop will refuse to issue a form if the goods are not in resaleable condition.

How much money you actually receive

The VAT rate in the UK is 20 percent on most goods. If you buy an item for £100, the VAT is £20. If you claim at the airport, you receive the full £20. If you claim through a refund company, you might receive £15 to £17 after the company takes its cut.

Some items have a reduced VAT rate of 5 percent (children's clothes, books, newspapers) or zero percent (most food, children's car seats). You can only claim on items with VAT charged. Zero-rated items have no refund available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a VAT refund if I am a UK citizen living abroad?

Yes, as long as you are not a UK resident. If you live outside the UK, you may have access to. HMRC checks your passport to confirm your residency status, not your citizenship. A UK passport does not disqualify you if your address is outside the country.

What happens if I open the packaging at the airport before I claim?

You lose the refund. Customs will not approve a claim on opened goods. If you want to use an item before you leave, wait until after you have claimed the refund and received your money.

Can I claim a refund on something I bought three months ago?

No. The goods must leave the UK within three months of purchase. If you bought something four months ago and are leaving today, you cannot claim. The three-month window is strict and HMRC will not make exceptions.

Do I have to claim at the airport, or can I always use a refund company?

It depends on the shop. Some shops only offer airport claims, others only use refund companies, and some offer both. The shop will tell you which method applies when you request the form. You cannot choose a different method later.

What if the refund company never sends my money?

Contact the company using the reference number on your form. If they do not respond, you can file a complaint with HMRC, though recovering the money is difficult once you have left the UK. This is why keeping copies of everything you submit is important.