Are you an IT solutions salesperson? Ship hardware to 174 countries. Learn more

How to Reclaim VAT on Imports

Import Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a tax that is placed on goods entering countries. Learn how your company can easily reclaim import VAT.

What is Import VAT?

Import Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax that is placed on goods entering countries (like the 28 EU member states). VAT is designed to distribute the tax burden across the supply chain, but ultimately must be borne by the end-user/consumer. Therefore, any VAT-registered business conducting an import of IT hardware to support their operations or provide a service to consumers, is eligible for VAT reclamation.

How VAT Works:

Import VAT EORI Diagram
VAT Reclamation Diagram

VAT Reclamation

If your overseas office is VAT registered and has a VAT ID or EORI number, FGX will strongly encourage your company to be the Importer of Record (IOR). This will make VAT reclamation a simple process for your internal accounting team. FGX maintains all import documentation to support your internal teams. We give you / your internal team the tools so you don’t have to hire third-party VAT reclamation services.

Required Documentation*

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Shipping Waybill
  • Customs Clearance Entry
  • Duty and Tax Payment Receipt
VAT Reclamation Steps
How to Reclaim VAT
*May vary by country; check with your internal accounting team for more information

European Import VAT Rates

Why Does FGX Prepay VAT?

Prepaying all taxes and duties, or shipping with incoterms Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), allows the shipment to immediately enter the customs clearance process when it arrives at the destination port. FGX only ships via DDP incoterms, to avoid any unnecessary delays once the shipment reaches customs.