VAT Refund From Overseas Vendor?

[iLander]

So I'm considering a vendor in England, and they have "includes 20% VAT", on all their web listings.

If it's shipped to me in the US, can I get that 20% back from somewhere? Somehow? Does the UK government send me a check, or does the shop owner just discount the item 20%? Or what?

How does that work?

 

[misskittycat]

Usually what happens is that the vendor charges you the price excluding VAT and do all the paperwork themselves. A number of the UK vendors I shop with do that (mostly clothing, shoes or cosmetics). But quite a few don't. It's up to the vendor - I understand it's quite labour intensive dealing with the UK Government when it comes to taxation - some vendors may not think that export is big enough for them to bother with the logistics...

I would email or call the vendor. 20% is enough to warrant an enquiry.