New import duty and tax rules are affecting e-commerce and UK consumers have cottoned on to the fact that they are able to retrieve import charges back from HMRC on returned items. However, going directly to HMRC can be a time-consuming and confusing process.
When can I apply for an import duty refund from HMRC?
Under EU rules, a trader is obliged to repair, replace, reduce the price or give you a refund if goods you bought turned out to be faulty or did not appear or operate as advertised.
You can also return any goods bought online (with some exceptions) for any reason within the 14-day cooling-off period – even if you simply changed your mind. Your refund should include any shipping charges you paid when you made the purchase. However, the trader may charge you delivery costs if you requested non-standard delivery (such as express delivery).
You can make a duty refund claim if you’re an importer, or representative of an importer, an agent, a freight forwarder or a private individual. However, it is unlikely you will be able to reclaim courier handling fees or the cost of sending goods back if you’ve paid to collect them.
How do I apply for an import duty refund from HMRC?
You can make a claim within 90 days of the import date for unwanted items and up to a year from the return date for damaged and defective items.
To apply for a duty refund from HMRC, you must initially complete a C1314 returned goods relief claim form. To complete this you will also need a C88 export declaration form.
The five-page C1314 form requires you to provide details about yourself, the purchase you made, the purpose of the purchase, including quantities and values, and asks you to calculate your duty and VAT.
This form is separate to the form BOR286, which you should use if you believe the Customs Duty or import VAT was wrongly calculated on an item you imported by post using Royal Mail or Parcelforce. You’ll need form C285 if you believe you’ve overpaid import duty and VAT.
How long does it take to receive the duty refund from HMRC?
If you get your claim wrong it could be rejected but if the claim is rejected due to missing details you won’t be notified so you need to ensure you fill in the correct forms. It can also be difficult to get feedback on the forms if you have a query so the whole process can end up taking months.
Why use a digital refund service?
Using a service such as Duty Refunds is a time-saving and hassle-free alternative. The service is operated on a no-win, no-fee basis and an advisor takes all the necessary details and completes the forms on your behalf. Not only does this digital solution simplify the whole process from start to finish, but you can even check your case status at any time and get regular updates on progress.
This method of making your claim will cost you a single payment of 15% from your customs refund money after the claim is successfully paid.
How can Duty Refunds help?
Duty Refunds is the first and only online import duty and tax refund platform for UK shoppers. We have simplified the otherwise complicated and time-consuming process of refunding your import charges on returned goods so that you can do your international online shopping with more confidence.
Duty Refunds has helped customers refund their purchases amounting to half a million pounds and is rated 4.9 excellent on Trustpilot. We also work extremely closely and are integrated with courier companies (such as, DHL, DPD, Fedex and Parcelforce) and HMRC. If you think you’re eligible for a refund, find out here.