The UK government is set to end tax-free sales at airports, ports and Eurostar stations from January 1, 2021, according to a report in the Independent.
From next year, overseas visitors will no longer be able to benefit from tax-free sales and VAT relief on goods purchased in the UK.
In addition, the VAT retail export scheme, which currently enables EU visitors to claim refunds on goods purchased in the UK, will also be withdrawn from the same date.
The rationale behind ending the scheme is “concerns over how the benefit is passed on to passengers and in some instances, the relief is not consistent with international tax principles”, according to a statement from the UK government.
