Cheapest Countries for Buying a Rolex After Obtaining VAT Refund

[No SUBctitute]

Here is a little tool for those thinking about buying a Rolex while traveling abroad.

As the US is one of the most expensive countries in the world to purchase a Rolex, here is a list of countries and the price after any VAT refund for a Rolex Submariner Date (116610LN). I will let others weigh in on strategies for obtaining full VAT refund rather than giving a large chunk to a VAT refund service.

The most surprising thing to me is that prices in all European countries are within about $500 of each other, and that Sweden is basically the same price as the UK. So there is no need to focus exclusively on the UK (especially when looking for SS sports models), just buy your Rolex in whatever European country you are in or would like to visit. :-)

Prices are in Euros and US Dollars for the Submariner (I assume the relative price difference among countries will be similar for other models)

*Prices are reflective of non-residents claiming back the full VAT; prices do not include any taxes payable in home country upon importation

UK – €6223, $6675

Sweden – €6260, $6715

Ireland – €6463, $6932

Italy – €6475, $6945

Holland – €6487, $6958

Spain – €6487, $6958

Belgium – €6487, $6958

Finland – €6491, $6963

Denmark – €6500, $6972

Austria – €6500, $6972

France – €6500, $6972

Germany – €6512, $6985

Norway – €6528, $7002

Luxem. – €6538, $7013

Poland – €6676, $7161

Canada – €6733, $7222 (plus local taxes)

Australia – €6904, $7406

Japan – €6922, $7425

Switz. – €7021, $7531

Singapore – €7111, $7628

Hong Kong – €7661, $8217 (no VAT)

USA – €7971, $8550 (plus local taxes, no VAT)

[fskywalker]

thanks for sharing


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[lwrm23]

Great info

[KDS777]

How about supporting a local business that gives you face to face service, buy all your watches there, develop a relationship with them, and end up with a nice, and I do mean nice, discount, each and every single time you purchase ? Rant over.



Your price shown here for Canada, and please understand that I am not demeaning your effort by the way, is incorrect. The retail price here for a Sub w/date is $9,750 CAD plus a 5 - 13% SALES TAX.

If you are a tourist you can get the 5-13% back (depends upon the province you are in at the time of sale) after you leave the country by way of a refund process. But there is no other reduction of the base list price thru "ANY MEANS", except thru an AD discount.

[nick800]

I disagree with the Hong Kong price. I saw a BLNR for $8,300 USD at a AD.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

I think the OP was meant to set a rough guideline. Prices will vary from shop to shop but in general shouldn't swing too widely.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by nick800

I disagree with the Hong Kong price. I saw a BLNR for $8,300 USD at a AD.

Another thing to take into account is that there is a %5 discount on any watch purchased at an AD.

Then, there's a nearly uncountable number of reliable grey dealers who can do as much as %20+ on most models, especially if you're willing to wait a few days or weeks.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by nick800

I disagree with the Hong Kong price. I saw a BLNR for $8,300 USD at a AD.

His price for the Sub Date given above is correct.

It's worth noting that pretty much every AD in HK will give a standard 5% discount on this and most other models, though, often without the buyer even asking.

[Old Expat Beast]

Lol...morning Jake.

[www777]

So is this why it is so hard to get these in the U.K.? At the least expensive is Rolex decreasing the supply?

[mfer]

I didn't think you got all the vat back, just a portion.

[meganfox17]

WW ! My country was not included in your survey of Rolex watches. That's alright Sir . We are quite use to the fact that foreigners only know where Singapore & Thailand are located. Malaysia zilch !

I'll tell you a Joke about The Top 6 Most commonly used phrases by tourists or foreigners on How to piss off a Malaysian! "

1● " So , Where's Malaysia ? "
2● " Malaysia ? Ah Yes.. So you're from Kuala Lampa..... ? "
3● " If you're from Malaysia , You must be Malay right ? "
4● "Singapore is better than Malaysia !"
5 ● " Your English is so Good ! "
6 ● " Malaysian food Sucks.....! "

Ok. Back to topic. 2017 Rolex retail price
( revision ) based on today's latest currency exchange rate

Rolex Sub 116610 LN Brand New inclusive of GST 6%
Between € 6949 USD 7454 ( AD ) &
€ 7838 USD 8400 ( Official Rolex Boutique before discount )

Upon departure , bone fide tourists can claim back their GST paid ( 4.8% ) , under the Tourist Refund Scheme after producing their tax invoice from approved outlets

[Tzehou]

Many thanks for the effort. It is no easy task consolidating this list. The listed prices are good for benchmarking and purchase considerations.

[Tzehou]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

WW ! My country was not included in your survey of Rolex watches. That's alright Sir . We are quite use to the fact that foreigners only know where Singapore & Thailand are located. Malaysia zilch !

I'll tell you a Joke about The Top 6 Most commonly used phrases by tourists or foreigners on How to piss off a Malaysian! "

1● " So , Where's Malaysia ? "
2● " Malaysia ? Ah Yes.. So you're from Kuala Lampa..... ? "
3● " If you're from Malaysia , You must be Malay right ? "
4● "Singapore is better than Malaysia !"
5 ● " Your English is so Good ! "
6 ● " Malaysian food Sucks.....! "

Ok. Back to topic. 2017 Rolex retail price
( revision ) based on today's latest currency exchange rate

Rolex Sub 116610 LN Brand New inclusive of GST 6%
Between € 6949 USD 7454 ( AD ) &
€ 7838 USD 8400 ( Official Rolex Boutique before discount )

Upon departure , bone fide tourists can claim back their GST paid ( 4.8% ) , under the Tourist Refund Scheme after producing their tax invoice from approved outlets

Haaa... brother, unfortunately, I have to politely disagree with you. From my perspective and experience, Malaysia have much more good food! The food in Malaysia are also much more affordable and have a larger range of authentic Asian food.

Back to the main topic... for Singaporeans, shopping for a Rolex in Malaysia might be one of the quickest and cheaper methods if one knows the Ad there well.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Lol...morning Jake.

Hey Adam!

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

WW ! My country was not included in your survey of Rolex watches. That's alright Sir . We are quite use to the fact that foreigners only know where Singapore & Thailand are located. Malaysia zilch !

I'll tell you a Joke about The Top 6 Most commonly used phrases by tourists or foreigners on How to piss off a Malaysian! "

1● " So , Where's Malaysia ? "
2● " Malaysia ? Ah Yes.. So you're from Kuala Lampa..... ? "
3● " If you're from Malaysia , You must be Malay right ? "
4● "Singapore is better than Malaysia !"
5 ● " Your English is so Good ! "
6 ● " Malaysian food Sucks.....! "

Ok. Back to topic. 2017 Rolex retail price
( revision ) based on today's latest currency exchange rate

Rolex Sub 116610 LN Brand New inclusive of GST 6%
Between € 6949 USD 7454 ( AD ) &
€ 7838 USD 8400 ( Official Rolex Boutique before discount )

Upon departure , bone fide tourists can claim back their GST paid ( 4.8% ) , under the Tourist Refund Scheme after producing their tax invoice from approved outlets

Honeymooned in Penang back in 2010 and had a great time.
The food was actually fabulous...Especially the night-food scene

[scombs263]

Awesome for sharing the info.....

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by Tzehou

Haaa... brother, unfortunately, I have to politely disagree with you. From my perspective and experience, Malaysia have much more good food! The food in Malaysia are also much more affordable and have a larger range of authentic Asian food.

Back to the main topic... for Singaporeans, shopping for a Rolex in Malaysia might be one of the quickest and cheaper methods if one knows the Ad there well.

Wallao- Eh ! Aiyoo...I'm a Malaysian lah! By the way , you should be addressing me as Ah-Chè ( elder sister )
Agreed. Without a shadow of a doubt , shopping for Swiss brand watches in Malaysia is cheaper....

[henry333]

Also any one know other ways of vat return that don't take a big chunk of it?
Services fees .. this and that fees etc etc. not possible to get back full vat .
15 to 12 % vat return seem more normal. Not talking about Rolex, there is one brand that only gives back 10% , shocker .

[Sailaway68]

Dont forget Switzerland. Generally easier to find some models and surprisingly competitive on price, great choice of ADs and freedom to negotiate between them.
For example, LN (after 8pc tax rebate) currently €6975 or $7480. Rebate is a simple process....

Edit. My bad. Just saw it on the list. Great info. Its interesting though, I heading over to Miami this week and will be buying. In general in Europe the SS models are a bit of a task to find and Grey dealer prices are ahead of ADs, sometimes by over 10pc, whereas it seems in the US most models (Daytona C and Deep Blue excepted) seem to be easy to find through Grey dealers at a discount, or gain an AD discount. Looking at the list price table it is no surprise that Rolex SA are prioritising the supply chains to the US and far east over Europe....

[kboy2379]

Wow! Great job!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Good job, OP.

The only thing I'll add is that the price quoted for the UK is with the 'full' VAT refunded, as OP has said. To get a watch at this price, too need to purchase at duty free at the airport. If you buy outside and claim your tax back at the airport, the refund is about 13.8% (not the 16.8% reduction at duty free). The retailer claims an 'admin fee'* of about 3% so the actual refund is a bit less than the saving at duty free.

I'm a British national living in Singapore. I have claimed my VAT back many times, including on two Rolex watches, so I write from first hand experience.



I once wrote on here that the 3% difference was the UK tax claiming it as an admin fee. I was mistaken. It's the retailer that takes this fee.

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

...

Here is a little tool for those thinking about buying a Rolex while traveling abroad.


...

Thank you to make use of my MSRP chart ... found here



See here my complete chart , without taxes , converted at today's rates to Euro then converted to USdollar :

.

[stevedssd]

Thanks Op anything to encourage people to look outside the UK is greatly appreciated, I still have fond memories of popular SS Sports models being displayed in AD's windows!

[Etschell]

Nice post op one of the best I've seen this year.

[No SUBctitute]

Thanks all for expressing appreciation for the post!

There was so much discussion of purchasing a Rolex while traveling that I wanted to provide a current price reference to the forum of relative prices after getting the VAT back.

As others have noted, this reference couldn't factor in AD discounts; and it can be tricky (but not impossible) to get the full VAT back--you do need a little AD cooperation to be willing to accept the papers back from you after you get them stamped and then release the VAT refund back to you.

Alpino, thanks for the price data! I definitely got the MSRP from your chart of prices in a country's home currency, and then I used current exchange rates to convert to USD and Euros to get the very latest prices.

KDS777, the sub date price was accurate in USD on the date I posted it. Interesting rant...... Thanks for the information on tourists getting 5-13% tax back!

Stevedssd, yes there was a subtext of encouraging non-Brits to shop neighboring countries where they might have better luck finding a SS sports model at near the same price, plus it saves more watches for you.

[Rolexgirl2018]

Thank you so much for the Super helpful list - was trying to decide where to buy my Lady DJ and ended up using your list as a reference point - turns out India is even cheaper than the rest of Asia

[cityboy10]

Originally Posted by KDS777

How about supporting a local business that gives you face to face service, buy all your watches there, develop a relationship with them, and end up with a nice, and I do mean nice, discount, each and every single time you purchase ? Rant over.



Your price shown here for Canada, and please understand that I am not demeaning your effort by the way, is incorrect. The retail price here for a Sub w/date is $9,750 CAD plus a 5 - 13% SALES TAX.

If you are a tourist you can get the 5-13% back (depends upon the province you are in at the time of sale) after you leave the country by way of a refund process. But there is no other reduction of the base list price thru "ANY MEANS", except thru an AD discount.

I believe his Canadian price is accurate. He stated above that it is priced in US$ and given the 1.36 exchange rate seems accurate.

[cityboy10]

BTW thanks for sharing. Didn't realize there was a such price discrepancy between countries.

[Vaxe]

Gotta go to sweden now