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)