Okay here's the issue I'm going to drive to the UK and back over the next week or or for a friends wedding.

Basicially I'm getting my car serviced + stuff (likely to be a huge parts bill) and emptying in the shops in South Wales.

I've looked at the UK customs site already but I'm still confused.

The parts I need for my car should be UK VAT exempt being a Swiss resident, so if I pay the full bill how do I claim this back? (Note any labour is not VAT exempt)

Similar problem with a possible purchase of a mac book air.

If I flew I could claim it at the airport, but I'm transiting though several European countries, so I think I have to claim this at the German border, then pay Swiss tax.

Does anyone have any idea how I can do this? It would save me a fortune on car parts and purchases???

Do I need a German customs form? What documents do I need?

UK HMRC Site...not that it helps..

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...59#downloadopt

When you are in Wales got to the local Customs office and get the correct claim forms. Take these with you when you buy the goods as I think the garage / shop have to sign / stamp the form. You might be safer with employing an import / export service.

When leaving the UK you need to go to customs and get a stamp there.

Now I am unsure if you need to stamp leaving and entering every EU country. It used to be necessary: you queue up at the border offices with all the truck drivers. Keep your passport with you. On entering the truckers area, directly after leaving the autobahn, you also need to collect a transit pass which enables you to cross on foot to the next country get the forms stamped, and back again to the car. Then with all the paperwork you can cross the border. Things might nowadays now be easier!

Once you have paid the Swiss tax the UK will refund the VAT.