Claiming back VAT

[fhranklucas]

Does anyone have any experience with claiming back VAT from buying a Rolex abroad?

There's conflicting information online. Essentially I want to buy a Rolex from an AD in Barcelona whilst on holiday. Once I return to the UK will I be able to claim back VAT at the airport and if so what is the best process to ensure the VAT return is successful?

Any help would be much apreciated!

Thanks

[al1786]

In your circumstances You can’t claim back VAT.
My understanding of reclaiming tax/VAT is that you have to be leaving the EU and can claim back at the Airport. I believe there’s a company called Global blue that can handle the claim but they charge a fee for doing so.
If you buy from an Airport flying out to a county outside of the EU you get the tax free price at point of sale.


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[ninjin]

You cannot claim back VAT from an EU country of purchase if you live in the EU. From 01/02/2021 this rule should be changing but who knows as there is yet to be any agreement on the terms of trade between UK and the EU so far....

[drrd]

I understand you probably thought that sun and a cheap Rolex would make a nice combo but just a reminder at this time to consider others and that UK government advice is still against all but essential international travel.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by fhranklucas

Does anyone have any experience with claiming back VAT from buying a Rolex abroad?

There's conflicting information online. Essentially I want to buy a Rolex from an AD in Barcelona whilst on holiday. Once I return to the UK will I be able to claim back VAT at the airport and if so what is the best process to ensure the VAT return is successful?

Any help would be much apreciated!

Thanks

Nice try

[RollinMoses]

Not only do you have to be leaving the EU, you have to permanently live outside the EU and provide evidence to confirm that.

If you go to a non-EU country that charges VAT and make the purchase there then you can Reclaim.

What you need though is for retailer to provide the VAT reclaim paperwork and then this needs to get stamped by customs / processed at the airport on exit.

Obviously brexit might change the situation for UK residents, but who knows what will happen with that mess.

Entirely agree with the “please avoid non-essential travel” sentiment

[watchmaker]

In addition to everything already said here, even if you succeed in claiming VAT back on a purchase made out of the UK, you are required to declare the watch when you import it in to the UK, and then pay VAT here.

HMRC always want their pound of flesh

[dnd2984]

Hi, I do.

Wife and I bought watches from Bucherer. At Bucherer they discount the VAT and give you ppwk to hand in at the airport. There is a designated area for this after security.

When I got to US I declared it and paid like $200 total. It was 2 Tudor watches.

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by fhranklucas

Does anyone have any experience with claiming back VAT from buying a Rolex abroad?

There's conflicting information online. Essentially I want to buy a Rolex from an AD in Barcelona whilst on holiday. Once I return to the UK will I be able to claim back VAT at the airport and if so what is the best process to ensure the VAT return is successful?

Any help would be much apreciated!

Thanks

Not sure what you are trying to do? You live in the UK? How would you claim VAT back at the airport in the UK?
But yes as others have said, you can't do it within the EU.

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by dnd2984

Hi, I do.

Wife and I bought watches from Bucherer. At Bucherer they discount the VAT and give you ppwk to hand in at the airport. There is a designated area for this after security.

When I got to US I declared it and paid like $200 total. It was 2 Tudor watches.

That is the opposite of what he is trying to do.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by fhranklucas

There's conflicting information online.

Wonder where you are reading this conflicting info online as it’s very clear you do not get VAT back in the EU if you are travelling and reside in EU.

Only way is if you are flying out of the EU and buy it at the airport, you pay tax free price there and then. Once you paid the tax then there is no claiming back unless you live outside the EU for over 6 months.


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[fhranklucas]

Hmmm it was worth a try haha!

Thanks for the advice

[Pongster]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

In addition to everything already said here, even if you succeed in claiming VAT back on a purchase made out of the UK, you are required to declare the watch when you import it in to the UK, and then pay VAT here.

HMRC always want their pound of flesh

This.

The rationale for the VAT refund is you are not “consuming” in the country of purchase. But you will have to pay the relevant consumption tax in your country of residence when you return from your travel. In addition to import duties.

[77T]

When did traveling to buy a Rolex not be considered an essential purpose?

But, that aside, agree with all the others - VAT collected in Spain applies and is not refundable in UK. Even if Brexit creates a change, once brought back to UK, a new Rolex will create a taxable import event.




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