Reclaiming VAT
Travelling inside the EU
You can claim VAT on the products you buy for your business at Manchester Airport, meaning that you can take advantage of a 'double discount'. Our prices are discounted to match the VAT free prices available to non EU destinations, so they still include VAT which you can claim back. Forms are available from registered retailers – please ask in-store.
Not all shops participate in this scheme, but if they do, they will happily supply the appropriate forms on request.
Non EU Residents
If you are a resident of a country outside the EU and wish to reclaim VAT on goods purchased at the airport, you should produce the relevant forms and goods to a Customs Officer on duty in the Departure Lounge in the Terminals.
The Customs Officer will then stamp the form and hand it back to you. The form should then be returned to the shop where you bought the goods – they will then provide your VAT refund.
Please note that HM Customs does not refund your VAT directly to you, and it is a requirement for claiming back VAT that the goods and the VAT reclaim form must be presented together to the Customs Officer. This process takes place so that export of the goods listed on the form can be verified.
If you reside outside the EU, you may also reclaim VAT on goods purchased in the UK which you are 'exporting'.
