How to claim a repayment of import duty and VAT if you've overpaid
Check time limits and how to claim for your circumstances as an importer, agent or express operator. Individuals should claim on form C285.
You can claim for repayment if you바카라 사이트™ve overpaid import duty and VAT. In some cases you may also be able to claim if you바카라 사이트™ve overpaid import VAT or excise duty.
There바카라 사이트™s a different way to claim for rejected imports.
Who can apply
You can make a claim if you are:
- an importer or their representative
- a customs agent
- a freight forwarder or express operator 바카라 사이트” formerly fast parcel operator 바카라 사이트” acting on behalf of the importer
- a private individual importing goods for your own personal use
How to apply
You must apply using the appropriate method for your particular circumstances.
Claim overpaid import VAT in your VAT Return if you바카라 사이트™re VAT-registered
If you바카라 사이트™re VAT registered, you cannot reclaim overpaid import VAT using the C285 form or the online services.
You must make an adjustment in your VAT return by:
- using your VAT Return to reduce the amount of output tax due in Box 1
- keeping records to support your claim
You cannot recover it as input tax 바카라 사이트” overpaid import VAT is not due to HMRC.
Private individual importing goods for personal use
Individuals importing goods for personal use should claim for overpaid import duty or VAT using the C285 form in this guide.
If you import 바카라 사이트˜at risk바카라 사이트™ goods into Northern Ireland
For 바카라 사이트˜at risk바카라 사이트™ goods follow guide 바카라 사이트˜Apply to claim a repayment or remission of import duty on 바카라 사이트˜at risk바카라 사이트™ goods brought into Northern Ireland바카라 사이트™.
Check the regulations for exceptions
For goods you imported into:
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Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) apply under the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
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Northern Ireland, apply under the Union Customs Code regulation 952/2013
When to apply
The time limit for submitting a claim for repayment of overpaid duty and VAT is:
- 3 years for overpayments
- 1 year for rejected imports
- 90 days for withdrawal of a customs declaration
Read 바카라 사이트˜Check the regulations바카라 사이트™ in this guide for exception to these time limits.
When you must use the C285 form
Use the C285 form to make a claim if you are applying:
- as a private individual in relation to goods you imported for personal use
- for a repayment or correction of a declaration made under the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme
- for a repayment but do not have an EORI number
- for a repayment of import VAT and you바카라 사이트™re not UK VAT registered and do not have an EORI number
Use the Customs Declaration Service or CHIEF
Only use these online services if:
- none of the criteria under 바카라 사이트˜When you must use the C285 form바카라 사이트™ apply
- this is where the declaration was made 바카라 사이트” ask your agent if you바카라 사이트™re unsure
Apply for a repayment in the Customs Declaration Service
Apply in Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF)
What you바카라 사이트™ll need 바카라 사이트” C285 form
To claim a repayment of overpaid import duty and VAT you바카라 사이트™ll need:
- the movement reference number (MRN)
- an EORI number if you are making a claim under the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme 바카라 사이트” Who needs an EORI number
- your contact and address details
- bank details for the person receiving the payment
- VAT paid to HMRC if you바카라 사이트™re claiming a refund of VAT
You may need supporting evidence, such as:
- a commercial invoice or receipt confirming the value of the goods
- a packing list
- the transport documents 바카라 사이트” air waybill or bill of lading
Apply online 바카라 사이트” C285 form
You will be able to save your progress and print or save a copy of your answers.
To apply you바카라 사이트™ll need to either:
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sign in with your 바카라 사이트 Gateway user ID and password (if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you first try to sign in)
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use your email address to get a confirmation code that you can use to sign in
After you바카라 사이트™ve applied 바카라 사이트” C285 form
If you applied using the C285 form, you바카라 사이트™ll get an email from HMRC confirming your submission reference.
HMRC will aim to make a decision on your claim within 30 days. We may contact you to ask for more information if needed.
If your claim is approved we will send you details about when to expect the refund.
Updates to this page
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Welsh translation added.
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We have clarified how to apply for your circumstances and what to do if you're VAT registered.
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You can no longer claim by post for declarations made on the Customs Declaration Service.
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Customs duty waiver repayments online form has been added.
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We have clarified how to reclaim a repayment of VAT if you're VAT registered.
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A new online service for overpayment claims for declarations made in the Customs Declaration Service has been added.
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Information about what to do if you think you may be entitled to a repayment of customs duty following a review by the Trade Remedies Authority has been added.
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This guide has been updated to confirm that VAT-registered importers cannot use form C285 to reclaim overpayments of import VAT and the section on overpaid Customs Duty on imports from Cambodia and Myanmar has been removed.
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Added information on 'Overpaid Customs Duty on imports from Cambodia and Myanmar'.
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First published.