Reclaiming VAT when re-exorting camera

[oscroft]

Not sure if this is the best forum to ask this, but anyway...

Has anyone in the UK here ever bought a camera from overseas (mine is from the US), paid VAT on import, then had to re-export it for a refund (mine was damaged in transit)? If so, do you know how to reclaim the VAT?

 

[RML]

I assume the Customs Office has a website.