Anyone who understands HMRC???

[maviczap]

Yes, but ferry documentation wouldn't be any good until after the event, so reclaiming the VAT rather than Zero rating is the option here

Well, we disagree on that point. Did you read the link? There's also this in there:

"Collection by customer
If your customer arranges to collect the goods from you, you'll need to be sure how and when the items are leaving the UK, and what evidence of removal they will give you, before you agree not to charge VAT. If you have any doubts at all, it's advisable to take a deposit that's the same as the VAT that would be charged. If they give you the evidence that the goods have left the country within the time limit, you can refund the deposit."

So there is no one way to prove this. As long as they can robustly prove the goods have left the country then that is sufficient in my view. Hence right back to my original post. Proof of purchase documents with VAT details and something to show the goods have left the country "within the time limit". In theory then, the buyer can send the proof of ferry travel to recover the deposit as suggested above. A lot more straightforward than reclaiming VAT.

I suppose HMRC will clarify soon enough.

Seems everyone loves a vat discussion!
Thanks to everyone for all the info.
I've now spoken to the tax agency here in Sweden and they said that I can just pay the UK vat then claim it back here because I'm collecting the goods in person.
Theoretically, it would be possible to go the zero rating route, but the problem for the seller is that proof of export relies heavily on freight documents and he wont want to risk that the documents he gets aren't enough to convince HMRC.
So, I'll just have to stump up the extra and hope the tax office here was telling the truth!
Charley

Whot???? Mav won? Lol Glad its sorted. Incidentally, if HMRC ever respond, could you post it here? (It might be useful for anyone with a similar query)