Consultation outcome

VAT: Retail Export Scheme

This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

VAT retail export scheme consultation response

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Detail of outcome

This document is a summary of responses received to the consultation. Following the consultation, the government will make a number of changes to the current scheme including improvements to passenger service at airports and a better compliance process at the point of sale. The government recognises that a digital approach to modernisation is the leading option. This is dependent on finding an acceptable means of funding to ensure value for money to the taxpayer. HMRC will set out a plan for taking this work forward in early 2014.


Original consultation

Summary

HMRC would like to make the Retail Export Scheme easier to use and understand, and to limit opportunities for error and fraud.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The VAT Retail Export Scheme (also known as Tax Free Shopping) allows non-European Union visitors to claim a refund of VAT on goods they buy and export from the European Union (EU) in their personal luggage.

This consultation invites general comments on options for redesigning the scheme and asks some specific questions relating to a number of possible changes.

Documents

VAT: Retail Export Scheme

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 1 July 2013
Last updated 19 December 2013 + show all updates
  1. Publication of response document.

  2. First published.