Points for Attention

Value added tax (VAT) is charged on most goods and services sold in Britain – exceptions are food, books and children’s clothes. It is usually included in the advertised price.

Visitors from outside the European Union who stay less than three months may claim this tax back. Take your passport with you when you go shopping. You must complete a form in the shop when you buy goods and give a copy to the customs authorities when you leave the country. You may have to show your goods as proof of purchase. If you arrange to have goods shipped from the store, VAT should be deducted before you pay.