How does VAT work?

[pereiraex]

Hi,

I'm currently resident in London and am looking to get a Daytona outside of the UK (due to the nonexistent stock here) but within an EU country. I was wondering if I could still get the VAT refund at the foreign airport when I was departing back on my return flight to London if my boarding pass clearly shows that I'm merely travelling between countries?

First time buying a Rolex overseas so pardon the ignorance.

[beer]

no residents from an EU country (which we still are right now) are still charged VAT in other EU countries, which is then considered paid in all EU countries (so no import tax when returning home)

you can only get a tax refund from purchases in a non-EU country but then are liable for tax on return home

[Dazlewis]

No VAT refund if buying within EU if it is going to stay in the EU? Schipol appears willing to sell at a discount corresponding to the VAT amount if you are not leaving the EU (at least they were last year) but good luck getting a Daytona there!

[bayerische]

Only way around is if you own a VAT registered company, the AD might sell you at 0% VAT. But this is a long shot. Companies within the EU sell across country borders VAT free. Value added tax is applicable to be paid once the product has reached it's country intended for use though.