Antravia USA launches Global VAT Reclaim Service for International Businesses

Recover the Tax you’ve already paid abroad

Every year, U.S. and global businesses spend millions overseas on hotels, trade fairs, supplier invoices, and professional services but never reclaim the tax built into those costs. Antravia’s new Global VAT Reclaim Service changes that. We help companies recover Value Added Tax (VAT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid abroad under official refund schemes operated by national tax authorities.

VAT (Value Added Tax) and GST (Goods and Services Tax) operate under similar principles as both are indirect taxes on consumption, charged at each stage of the supply chain. The terminology differs by country: VAT is used in Europe and the Middle East, while GST is more common in Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia and Singapore.

This service brings together Antravia’s accounting and tax expertise across the European Union, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and other key markets, simplifying what was once one of the most fragmented areas of international finance.

Why VAT Reclaim matters

VAT is not a cost of doing business because it recoverable tax - but many businesses don't know this. When ignored, it becomes a hidden expense that quietly erodes profit margins and working capital. For companies travelling internationally or paying overseas suppliers, reclaiming VAT can release 10–25% of annual overseas spend which is money that can be reinvested into operations, staff, or technology.

Who can benefit

Our service is built for U.S. and international companies operating in travel, hospitality, technology, professional services, and event management, but applies equally to any business that incurs VAT abroad.

Typical claim scenarios include:

• Trade fairs and exhibitions: booth rental, organiser fees, and accommodation in the EU, UK, or UAE.

• Supplier contracts: marketing, design, consulting, or logistics charged with foreign VAT.

• Business travel: hotels, car hire, and local transport linked to commercial activity.

• Overseas training or conferences: participation fees, venue hire, and catering.

Even small claims add up quickly when tracked systematically.

How VAT Reclaim works

VAT and GST refunds are processed through national tax authorities under structured schemes:

• EU: claims made under the 13th Directive for non-EU businesses.

• UK: processed via HMRC’s VAT Refund Scheme for Overseas Businesses.

• UAE: administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) under the Business Visitor Refund Scheme.

• Other markets: including Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, and Singapore, operate equivalent refund programmes for business visitors.

Each jurisdiction sets its own documentation and deadline rules, but the principles remain consistent: if VAT was paid for legitimate business purposes, and the applicant’s home country offers reciprocity, the refund is due.

What you can Reclaim

Typical recoverable costs include business travel such as hotels, car hire, and local transportation when linked to commercial activity. Event participation and exhibition expenses are also reclaimable, including trade-fair fees, booth construction, and organiser charges, provided proof of attendance is available.

Professional services, such as accounting, legal, consulting, and design, often qualify if VAT is shown on the supplier’s invoice. Marketing, advertising, and public-relations costs can also be reclaimed when the services support business operations abroad. In logistics and transport, freight and warehousing used for commercial purposes are typically recoverable, although personal or non-business use is excluded.

Global VAT Reclaim at a Glance

• Standard VAT/GST rates: typically 5–27% depending on country.

• Eligible claimants: businesses not established or VAT-registered in the refund country.

• Common regions covered: European Union, United Kingdom, UAE, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Singapore.

• Claim periods: generally annual, with deadlines ranging from June 30 to December 31 following the expense year.

• Required documentation: original invoices, proof of payment, certificate of business status, and evidence of reciprocity.

• Refund processing time: 4–9 months depending on the authority.

• Refund currencies: paid in EUR, GBP, AED, or local equivalent.

How Antravia simplifies the Process

Antravia handles the entire reclaim cycle under one coordinated system:

1. Eligibility review – assessing each country’s reciprocity and claim potential.

2. Documentation preparation – verifying VAT details and formatting invoices correctly.

3. Submission & liaison – filing through tax authorities or local representatives.

4. Refund tracking – monitoring progress and reconciling payments on receipt.

Our team draws on decades of cross-border accounting experience to ensure claims are compliant, audit-ready, and completed before deadlines.

Strategic Benefits for Finance Teams

• Improved working capital — release tied-up VAT funds directly back to your business.

• Greater financial control — integrate VAT recovery into your accounting workflow.

• Enhanced reporting — include VAT reclaims in cash-flow forecasts and management dashboards.

• Regulatory assurance — remain fully compliant with OECD and jurisdictional tax frameworks.

Why choose Antravia

• Global reach: coordinated VAT recovery across the EU, UK, GCC, and Asia-Pacific.

• Specialist knowledge: experts in travel, hospitality, events, and corporate finance.

• Transparent pricing: contingent or blended fee options based on successful recovery.

• Digital efficiency: secure cloud documentation and real-time tracking for clients.

Our goal is simple - to make VAT recovery as structured and reliable as any other part of your finance process. We find that too many companies accept VAT as a sunk cost. We can turn this back into cash.

Start your Global VAT Reclaim with Antravia

If your company incurs VAT on overseas supplier invoices, trade fairs, or corporate travel, now is the time to recover what’s yours. Antravia's finance team will assess your eligibility, prepare compliant filings, and coordinate directly with national tax authorities until refunds are received.

📧 info@antravia.com
🌐 Start your free eligibility check →

Visit Tax.Travel, Antravia’s dedicated knowledge platform for global VAT compliance, to learn how U.S. businesses can reclaim overseas VAT and GST while staying compliant with local laws.
For U.S. companies expanding overseas, Antravia also provides guidance on entity setup, intercompany tax, and transfer pricing to complement VAT recovery.

Antravia USA provides international accounting, tax, and cross-border financial strategy for businesses in travel, hospitality, technology, and professional services. With offices in the UK and UAE, Antravia supports clients in more than 40 countries through advanced reporting, indirect-tax compliance, and financial efficiency solutions.

Disclaimer:
Content published by Antravia is provided for informational purposes only and reflects research, industry analysis, and our professional perspective. It does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Regulations vary by jurisdiction, and individual circumstances differ. Readers should seek advice from a qualified professional before making decisions that could affect their business.
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