I will travel to the UK from a non-EU country and I’m planning to buy an iPhone there with VAT refund.
I will occasionally return to UK to visit family and friends in the future.
My question is can I use the iPhone in the UK?
Keep in mind that the warranty on an iPhone purchased in the UK might not be good in your home country/region.
Also that there can be regional variations in cellular and Wi-Fi band coverage based on the markets for which Apple believes a particular phone is being sold.
The best advice that we can provide would be to purchase a phone in the country in which you will be using it most of the time.
That way, you know that the phone will have a valid warranty and be optimized to work with the cellular carriers in your country.
When you visit the UK, check with the carrier in your home country to see if they offer an international plan for your phone. That way, the phone will work when the plane lands in the UK.
A good question for UK and EU taxing agencies. I don’t think anyone here can give a definitive answer. You may have to pay an import tax in your country of residence.
Using iphone after VAT claim
