Purchasing iPhone in the US

Question

Level 1

4 points

Purchasing iPhone in the US

I want to purchase an iPhone in the USA, and then get VAT removed as I am a UK resident, however, I want to purchase online using my credit card, as there is currently an offer that if I purchase anything at Apple, I get a huge amount of points, the caveat being it needs to be purchased online. Is there any way to get VAT exemption if it was purchased online - say, if I were to pick it up physically from a store post-purchase in the US? I will be in LA/California!

Thank you!

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Mar 17, 2023 6:53 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

418,531 points

Mar 17, 2023 7:16 AM in response to Hanna-Annie

I do not know if what you want to do is possible. There is no VAT as you think of it. The sales tax system in the USA is not centralized, with some going to states, some to counties, and some to cities. Sales tax can vary even within one state. It is possible a few stores in a very large locations may offer something but there is no information I can find on Apple's site about this. You would have to ask the individual store.

I do not know if this is a viable way to ask about this, I just found it in a web search

Tax free documents - Apple Community

"When you purchase the iPhone online, you need to write an e-mail to vat.refunds@apple.com to get your VAT back."

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

203,242 points

Mar 17, 2023 7:17 AM in response to Hanna-Annie

To add to the above, if it would be possible to have the tax refunded, you would have to pay UK VAT tax when you take it home. I’m guessing that’s going to cost you more than the sales tax in the US will.

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