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VAT and other taxes on shopping and services, including tax-free shopping, energy-saving equipment and mobility aids.

• VAT and duties

  VAT is a tax you pay on most goods and services. % of VAT What the rate…

• Where you see VAT

  In shops Any VAT due is already included in the price of something you buy…

• VAT on energy-saving products

  You’ll pay a rate of either 5% or 0% VAT when certain energy-saving…

• VAT on mobility aids

  If you’re over 60, you pay a reduced rate of VAT (5%) on certain mobility…

• Tax-free shopping

  You can only buy tax-free goods from shops: in Great Britain (England,…

• Alcohol and tobacco duties

  Tobacco Duty is included in the price you pay for cigarettes, cigars and…

• Fuel Duty

  Fuel Duty is included in the price you pay for petrol, diesel and other…

• Air Passenger Duty

  Airlines pay Air Passenger Duty (APD) for every passenger who flies from…

• Insurance Premium Tax

  Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is usually included in the price you pay for…

Explore this quality-assured free learning civil servants can do or book now to get the skills they need to deliver brilliant services.

• Updated: 27 January 2026

What to do if you’re bringing plants and products like wood and timber into Great Britain, including what certificates you'll need.

• Overview

  There are rules for bringing plants or ‘plant-based products’ (like wood)…

• Plants and plant-based products from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein

  If you’re bringing in plants or plant-based products from the EU,…

• Plants and plant-based products from outside the EU

  If you’re bringing plants and plant-based products (like wood) from…

• Getting a phytosanitary certificate

  A ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate proves your plants: have been…

• Bringing in endangered species

  You’ll need to apply for a permit or certificate if you’re bringing any…

• Get help

  If you need advice on bringing plants or plant-based products into Great…

The different types of British nationality explained - British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas), British protected person

Apply for a visa to visit the UK if you want to marry or register a civil partnership within 6 months - eligibility, documents, how to apply, how much it costs

Types of school and how they're run - community schools, academies, free schools, faith schools, state boarding schools.

How to apply for a certificate of free sale to export medical devices outside the UK.

• Updated: 13 March 2025

Bringing in goods for personal use when you travel to the UK from abroad - types of tax and duty, duty free, EU and non-EU arrivals, banned and restricted goods.

Set up a free school - find out what you need to do and how to increase your chance of success

The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment to people who get certain benefits - what you'll get, eligibility, how to claim