What items are VAT exempt in the UK?

I live in Guernsey and have recently purchased a number of items from the UK on which VAT was charged.?

• How do I get the VAT back?

• Answer:

  You are quite right, residents of the Channel Islands should not be charged VAT for purchases made if you are in the CI at the time of purchase e.g. mail order over the phone or via the internet. If you visited the UK and purchased the goods here, you would be charged VAT. However, either way, you should be able to claim the tax back. The government office which is responsible for VAT is called Customs and Excise, which is part of HM Revenue & Customs. You can find out full details of the rules about VAT reclaims on their website: http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk You can also ask for information by telephoning the Customs' National Advice Service: 0845 010 9000 (calls are charged at local rates).