no vat forms from internet orders.... how can that be right?

[stitch]

i want to buy something from a company for a friend who lives abroad. so obviously they dont need to pay vat. yet the company says that they dont give out the forms. is this right??? how can i get the vat back?
any advice appreciated.

[AMumInScotland]

I don't think that you would be able to get it VAT-free, even if you are going to send it abroad. She would have to order it herself from there, and deal with any import duties etc when it arrived.

[stitch]

but she is paying for it. not me. i know it can be done easily at the shops. the just have a form they give you. or a stamp or something like that.

[onager]

Don't know about this really, but at least one website I order from has a thing to click to download a VAT form.