How does VAT work?

[dera]

In Finland (I happen to have done this quite a few times now :)) there is a Rolex dealer that will sell you a watch using customs paperwork (it is NOT the "big" dealer in Helsinki though). That way you get 100% of the VAT back. Everything is done electronically - when leaving Finland you simply visit the customs desk at the airport and they process the paperwork - takes 3 minutes. No need to seal the box for this method.

The main dealer who also sell AP etc will only use Global Blue. They will seal the box and you get around 16% back instead of 24%. (note: it is not 16 or 24% of the purchase price, but it is purchase price / 1,24 or 1,16 = price you end up paying after reclaim).

[TheBluePrince]

Last 4 times I've been through LHR T5 the Rolex boutique has had a BLRO in stock with full 20% VAT discounted. Buying from here would be the cheapest and most hassle free way of doing it. Call them and they can tell you if they have one still. If not they can order it, they're not hard to get hold of for AD's.

[dera]

Originally Posted by TheBluePrince

Last 4 times I've been through LHR T5 the Rolex boutique has had a BLRO in stock with full 20% VAT discounted. Buying from here would be the cheapest and most hassle free way of doing it. Call them and they can tell you if they have one still. If not they can order it, they're not hard to get hold of for AD's.

Definitely not the cheapest. You are getting a 0% discount that way.
Cheapest is to buy it from somewhere with the usual 10-15% discount and reclaim the VAT.

[RRGHOST1]

Rolex 116719 is £19200 in Iconic watches in Blackburn,but not too sure if you can claim VAT back. They can order them in. What would be handy would be the final price paid after VAT refund in all these places.