Are you a savvy shopper who used this year’s Boxing Day sales to grab some great deals from abroad? Well, good news – if you purchased items valued at more than £135 then you may be eligible for claiming back duty tax on them.

In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look into the rules and regulations surrounding duty tax on imports from Europe. 

What types of goods are eligible for import tax refunds?

The types of goods purchased during the Boxing Day sales that are eligible for import duty reclaims vary depending on the item. Generally speaking, items that have been bought from outside the UK, including EU countries and non-EU countries, are subject to duty tax as per UK customs regulations. This includes a wide range of items such as electronics, furniture and clothing. Duty tax is typically charged on any item that costs more than £135 in value or weight is heavier than 2kg (4.4lb). Items such as baby products and household appliances may be exempt from duty taxes if they meet certain criteria.

Other items which may qualify for duty tax reclaims include books, musical instruments, antiques, works of art, jewellery and alcoholic beverages. Some luxury items such as furs and caviar may also be eligible for import duty reclaims under certain conditions. It’s important to note that all goods must be purchased through a legitimate retailer to qualify for duty tax refunds. This is why we recommend you check the applicable rules and regulations before making any purchases to avoid any potential problems with customs.

Understanding your rights as a UK consumer shopping abroad

As a UK consumer shopping for items abroad, you have several rights and protections to ensure that you get the best possible deals during the Boxing Day sales. Firstly, you’re entitled to reclaim Value Added Tax (VAT) on purchases made in other European Union countries and certain other overseas territories. 

The UK government has negotiated special arrangements with some non-EU countries, which allows shoppers from the UK to claim back the tax paid on goods bought there. This includes popular destinations such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Australia, Norway, South Korea and Canada. To be eligible for a VAT refund, the item must be at least 15 euros in value and it must be taken out of the country within three months of purchase. 

You can also receive refunds when shopping online from an EU retailer who has registered in the UK under VAT rules. When buying online from these retailers they will generally add their own country’s sales tax onto your bill but you may be able to get a refund by contacting their customer service team directly after making your purchase 

When travelling abroad, it’s important to remember that you are still protected by consumer law in most countries – even if the goods or services cost less than what would be paid at home. This means that your goods must meet certain minimum standards of quality and safety. If they don’t then you should contact either the seller or manufacturer directly via email or letter to seek compensation or repair/replacement of faulty goods purchased overseas whilst on holiday. 

Finally, if you buy goods abroad using a credit card then this provides an extra layer of protection against fraud or unauthorised charges as long as your card is issued by an EU-based bank or card issuer. In addition to this, banks often provide additional benefits such as travel accident insurance which can help protect against medical bills or lost luggage while travelling abroad.

What you need to know about filing for a tax refund in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 

In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can reclaim duty tax on purchases made during the Boxing Day sales if you meet the needed criteria. It’s important to understand the rules and regulations of filing for a tax refund in these countries to get your money back. However, to save you some time, you can just go to Duty Refund’s form and submit the claim through us in 5 minutes. The first of such services in UK.

England

In England, you’re eligible for a tax refund when certain items are bought online from outside of the EU. You can also receive a refund for any other purchases that are subject to duty tax. To get a refund, you must fill out an R38 form with your purchase details and send it with evidence – such as receipts or invoices – within 30 days of your purchase.

Scotland

The same rules apply in Scotland as they do in England, although there is a regional office located at Edinburgh which should be contacted instead of Birmingham’s HM Revenue & Customs branch. 

Wales

When making purchases during Boxing Day sales in Wales, shoppers must fill out an R85 form instead of an R38 form if they are buying items from outside the EU. This must be sent along with relevant evidence to the Cardiff office of HMRC within 30 days of purchase to be granted a refund.  

How to follow up on your claim with HMRC or Trading Standards if necessary

In some cases, HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) or Trading Standards may need to be contacted to follow up on your claim. Depending on when and where the item was purchased, different procedures may apply. However, if you submit a claim through us, we will do all this heavy lifting for you.

When pursuing a claim with HMRC, individuals must provide proof of purchase for the item in question. This can include an invoice or receipt from the seller that shows both their name and address, as well as the date and amount of purchase. If possible, proof of payment such as a bank statement should also be provided. All claims will then be assessed against existing laws and regulations before any decision is made. 

Individuals can contact HMRC directly or send their information online via the HMRC website. It’s important to note that there are certain time limits for when claims must be sent – usually 3 months from the date of purchase – so it is best to act quickly once you have all the required documents ready. 

Trading Standards deals with complaints about products and services, particularly those relating to faulty items or poor customer service. Individuals who wish to make a complaint about an item purchased during a Boxing Day sale should firstly contact the retailer by telephone or letter to resolve their issue immediately with them. If this does not work then they should lodge an official complaint with Trading Standards either online or via post. 

This involves providing details such as your name, address and contact number as well as details of your complaint and any relevant evidence such as photographs or receipts that could support your case. Once sent, Trading Standards will investigate further if needed before any decision is taken about compensation for damaged goods or refunding of payment for faulty items bought during a Boxing Day sale period 

In some cases HMRC and/or Trading Standards may require additional information to fully assess claims. This could include ensuring all paperwork is filled out accurately without mistakes so it would be beneficial to have your original documents available at hand when making any claims related to purchases made during Boxing Day sales in the UK. 

Wrapping up

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about reclaiming duty tax on your Boxing Day purchases in the UK. 

Now that you understand your rights as a consumer and what types of goods are eligible for a tax refund, put these tips into practice to maximise your chances of getting a full repayment. 

And remember, if you would rather avoid the hassle of trying to reclaim import duty yourself, you can just go here and submit a claim through us. We’re happy to assist you in any way we can!