Returning goods (value over £135) to EU, How to get VAT & Duties back

Hi, I purchased the wrong product and need to swap it for a similar one from the same online retailer, i paid the VAT & Custom duties in advance to DPD before items cleared for delivery. The Seller in Ireland did not charge VAT (as it greater than £135) and is will to refund me cost of goods. How do i reclaim the VAT & Custom duties I already paid on the goods that I am returning. The seller says a new transaction for the 'correct' goods should be a spearate transaction, hence i will be paying the VAT & Custom duties again to the courier company. appreciate any advice, Thanks,

Hi All goods arriving into the UK are treated as new imports and subject to import duties and VAT . This would apply even for free of charge replacements as HMRC would not have any evidence that they are really replacements or that the original imported goods remain in the UK. There are a couple of ways this can be mitigated by using specific customs procedures . They must usually be done before the original imported goods are exported or disposed of. If the it’s under 90 days since the goods were imported you can apply to invalidate the import entry. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-apply-for-a-repayment-of-import-duty-and-vat-if-youve-overpaid-c285 I suggest you also look up the rejected goods procedure on the HMRC however this is usually for goods that are faulty or they sent you something different to what you ordered. If you complete the application before you reexport or destroy the goods and have evidence of the subsequent export then duties and taxes will be refunded .

Hi tom182,
Please contact our international Trade Team as below:
Imports and exports: general enquiries
Thank you.