New Service Launch: UK VAT Reclaim for Foreign Businesses Visiting the United Kingdom

Helping Global Businesses Recover VAT from UK Expenses

Each year, thousands of international companies pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on expenses in the United Kingdom for costs such as hotels, trade fairs, marketing, or professional services but never claim it back. To support these businesses, Antravia UK has launched a dedicated UK VAT Reclaim Service, designed for overseas companies visiting, exhibiting, or contracting suppliers in the UK.

The service helps non-UK businesses recover VAT charged on legitimate business costs under HMRC’s VAT Refund Scheme for Non-UK Businesses, ensuring full compliance and faster refunds.

Who can Reclaim UK VAT

Refunds apply to businesses that:

• are not established or registered for VAT in the UK,

• have no fixed place of business or permanent establishment in the UK, and

• do not make taxable supplies during the claim period.

This includes businesses from the United States, European Union, UAE, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and other OECD countries that offer reciprocal VAT rights to UK companies.

Eligible claimants typically include:

• Companies attending trade fairs and exhibitions (WTM London, IBTM World, IMEX, etc.)

• Businesses purchasing professional or consultancy services from UK firms

• Hotels or DMCs contracting marketing agencies, software, or legal support in the UK

• International suppliers managing training, events, or corporate meetings in London or regional hubs

What you can Recover

Refunds are available for a broad range of business-related costs:

• Hotels and accommodation for business travel

• Event organiser fees, trade show stands, and venue hire

• Consulting, accounting, and professional services

• Marketing, advertising, and design services

• Transport and logistics supporting corporate events or meetings

Expenses such as meals, entertainment, or consumer-related purchases are excluded under HMRC rules.

UK VAT Reclaim at a Glance

Under the HMRC VAT Refund Scheme for Non-UK Businesses:

• The standard VAT rate in the UK is 20%, with reduced rates for specific goods and services.

• Refunds apply to foreign businesses not registered or established in the UK.

• Common refundable costs include hotels, conferences, marketing, consulting, and events.

• Exclusions include meals, entertainment, vehicles, and local sales-related costs.

• Claims must be submitted by 31 December of the year following the expense period.

• Applications are made using Form VAT65A, sent by post to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK.

• Required documentation includes original invoices, proof of payment, and a certificate of business status issued by the applicant’s local tax authority.

• Refunds are typically processed within 6 to 9 months and paid directly into the business’s bank account in GBP or international equivalent.

• The scheme is administered by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) — the UK’s central tax authority.

How Antravia UK helps

Antravia manages the VAT reclaim process from start to finish:

• Eligibility checks and verification of reciprocal refund agreements

• Invoice review and documentation preparation to HMRC standards

• Completion and submission of Form VAT65A

• Correspondence and follow-up with HMRC during the review stage

• Refund tracking and reconciliation for accurate financial reporting

Our finance specialists ensure every claim is compliant, complete, and audit-ready, reducing delays and maximising refund value.

Why VAT Reclaim Matters for International Businesses

For foreign companies, unreclaimed UK VAT is a cost that directly impacts their margins, and recovering it directly improves working capital, reduces cost of sales, and demonstrates sound financial control. With VAT rates of 20%, even modest claims can return thousands of pounds. For event organisers, travel businesses, and corporate visitors, reclaiming VAT can materially offset travel and supplier costs each financial year.

Start your UK VAT Reclaim with Antravia

Antravia UK provides cross-border accounting and VAT compliance services for international companies visiting or contracting suppliers in the United Kingdom. Our new VAT Reclaim Service ensures full recovery of entitled refunds while maintaining compliance with HMRC regulations.

📧 info@antravia.com
Start your free eligibility check →

Are You a UK Business Paying VAT Abroad?

If your company is based in the UK but pays VAT in EU or international markets, for example, on hotels, suppliers, or exhibitions in Europe, you may also be eligible for foreign VAT refunds under reciprocal agreements.

Antravia’s global tax platform Tax.Travel provides in-depth guidance on reclaiming VAT from the EU, UAE, and beyond, helping UK businesses recover overseas costs and strengthen cash flow across borders.

Antravia UK supports international companies across travel, hospitality, and professional services with accounting, VAT, and cross-border compliance solutions. The UK VAT Reclaim Service is part of Antravia’s global initiative to simplify tax recovery and improve international financial efficiency.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute accounting, tax, or legal advice. Regulations, tax rules, and reporting requirements may change, and their application can vary depending on your business structure and circumstances. Readers should seek professional guidance from a qualified accountant or adviser before making any financial, tax, or compliance decisions. Antravia UK accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on the information contained herein.