I bought a high value item here and have exported it to the UK. At the time of purchase, I filled in a pink form for swiss tax, and had it stamped at the airport when I left switzerland.

Now the vendor in switzerland is saying something like I would only get the tax money back from swiss customs.

I thought the retailer owes me the mwst / VAT, not swiss customs? ie I would send them the pink form with customs stamp on it. And I'm sure that's also what swiss customs told me at the airport.

I wonder if someobody here can clarify the process please?

I guess the 8% Swiss VAT goes a little way toward softening the blow of the 20% UK VAT that you willingly paid when you exported the item to the UK, right?

I thought that Swiss VAT refunds were managed through the rip-off refund companies like Global Blue. Not sure if there's a way to claim back tax directly from the retailer, here.

I must admit that I've never "exported" from CH to UK. Someone please tell me this isn't a significant FAIL, as per 22 yards' post...

You are liable for the 22% UK VAT whether you pay the swiss VAT or not . . . . . so yes of course it will help soften the blow of the 22% that I willingly took and declared to UK customs when I entered the UK ;-)

If it helps, the form I filled in is called a 'Zollanmeldung fur die Ausfuhr im Reiseverkehr' or 'Customs declaration for exportation in passenger traffic'

It's not customary (pun intended) to tip the VATman. Why did you () pay him 10% extra?