VAT purchase

[RX0]

Hi Everyone. I'm planning on buying a Daydate when I'm in London. Can anyone tell me how to claim the VAT if I decide to buy a Rolex in London. Do we claim it in the Rolex AD or claim it at the airport? Thanks.

[jamesthejeweller]

Depends where your origin is, but usually VAT reclaim is at the port of exit/entry NOT at the AD

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[RX0]

I'm from New York

[jamesthejeweller]

Originally Posted by RX0

I'm from New York

See Gov.uk link below

https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/taxfree-shopping

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[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by RX0

Hi Everyone. I'm planning on buying a Daydate when I'm in London. Can anyone tell me how to claim the VAT if I decide to buy a Rolex in London. Do we claim it in the Rolex AD or claim it at the airport? Thanks.

Claimed overseas. But then when you land pay the duty with customs since its not that much, few hundred. Better than having it found, and seized.

[Oreal]

If buying at a store in the city rather than airport, you’ll need to show the watch and receipts to the VAT office at the London airport when you leave to get all then vat back.

I’ve done this a few times (not for watches) sometimes the refund can be given in cash at the airport, sometimes it has to go back on the credit card by sending the receipts to an EU customs office in Slovenia. I didn’t get the refund in that instance. I was told after that I should make sure when making the purchase that staff ticks/doesn’t tick the right boxes so you can get the vat refund in cash at the airport. My refund was only around £50 so I didn’t mind but for a big purchase make sure you ask that the vat paperwork be such that you’ll collect it in cash upon leaving the country!

(Goods bought at the airport avoid the hoopla and you only pay the vat free price)

[ADB85]

Explain to the AD you're reclaiming the VAT, get the paperwork from the AD, submit it to the VAT reclaim desk (or Travelex desk now at some LHR terminals airside) and either get it credited to your credit card or in cash.

As for what you do when you arrive back in the US I have no idea....

[liberalclown]

There are two vat claim areas in Heathrow in each terminal, one landslide and one airside, VAT for watch and jewelry are being claimed in airside, once you pass the security. There are two ways of getting the VAT back as well, the best option is working with the AD and billing the VAT in a separate transaction, getting the VAT papers stamped and sending back it to AD to cancel the separate transaction for VAT. This way you can get all %16.67 back. The other way is a straightforward refund, that way Travelex, or whoever is the agent will take a cut, and they will use a unfavorable rate for USD/GBP, this way you can hardly get %11-13 back.

Since you are planning on getting an expensive watch, I am sure the AD will agree to work with you on the first option.

I haven't checked the PMs but most of the ADs didn't even have the OPs when I visited them last week. PMs should be fine though. Cheers!

[vipergts66]

Last time I passed through LHR I purchased an Omega from an AD in the terminal.

The price was “post VAT”.
I didn’t have to claim anything at the airport.

Upon landing stateside lucky to make it through customs without a hitch.

Advice with a grain of salt: if customs can’t prove you purchased the watch abroad (unless you’re caught with receipt for the watch) they usually can’t apply duty.

Don’t flash your watch around. They’re usually more worried about tobacco, food, alcohol, or PM watches.

[77T]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Claimed overseas. But then when you land pay the duty with customs since its not that much, few hundred. Better than having it found, and seized.

Agree that the paying duty is better path and the honest one to follow.


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[Rado63]

I don't know if in London you need copy of ID or passport at the AD. May want to check so you don't go over there only to find you need a passport ID to reclaim the VAT.

[little tomato]

Originally Posted by vipergts66

Last time I passed through LHR I purchased an Omega from an AD in the terminal.

The price was “post VAT”.
I didn’t have to claim anything at the airport.

Upon landing stateside lucky to make it through customs without a hitch.

Advice with a grain of salt: if customs can’t prove you purchased the watch abroad (unless you’re caught with receipt for the watch) they usually can’t apply duty.

Don’t flash your watch around. They’re usually more worried about tobacco, food, alcohol, or PM watches.

I bought from an AD at Heathrow on way out in Sept. Reserved ahead of time and price already excludes 20% VAT since I was leaving for US. Had to show passport and provide flight info. Very smooth. You let them know 48 hours ahead of time and the confirm availability and price.

[ninjin]

Originally Posted by Rado63

I don't know if in London you need copy of ID or passport at the AD. May want to check so you don't go over there only to find you need a passport ID to reclaim the VAT.

In the EU, you need proof of overseas status before they will sell you at tax free. Even though the shop doesn't give you the vat back directly, they won't even do the paperwork for tax-free for you to claim back at the airport without a passport.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by vipergts66

Advice with a grain of salt: if customs can’t prove you purchased the watch abroad (unless you’re caught with receipt for the watch) they usually can’t apply duty.

I am curious how you came to this "advice"?

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by liberalclown

There are two vat claim areas in Heathrow in each terminal, one landslide and one airside, VAT for watch and jewelry are being claimed in airside, once you pass the security. There are two ways of getting the VAT back as well, the best option is working with the AD and billing the VAT in a separate transaction, getting the VAT papers stamped and sending back it to AD to cancel the separate transaction for VAT. This way you can get all %16.67 back. The other way is a straightforward refund, that way Travelex, or whoever is the agent will take a cut, and they will use a unfavorable rate for USD/GBP, this way you can hardly get %11-13 back.

Since you are planning on getting an expensive watch, I am sure the AD will agree to work with you on the first option.

I haven't checked the PMs but most of the ADs didn't even have the OPs when I visited them last week. PMs should be fine though. Cheers!

Everything correct except Globalblue or PremierTax (the two agencies who fight for retail) normally do some kickback to the store if they use their services. The agency takes a 1.5-2% "fee" (ultimately you lose that) and then the store gets a little bit. Non-confirmed information, but that should be how it works when they win over businesses.

Rarely you see any shops doing the VAT direct at the shop or letting your post it back to the shop after you've gotten it stamped.

[fsprow]

Great idea to be discussing breaking the law on a public forum. I recommend paying any duty due.

[RX0]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Great idea to be discussing breaking the law on a public forum. I recommend paying any duty due.

Ok, I'm offended by your msg. So, read carefully before you post respond.

When did I make you a spokesperson of me?

All I ask is how to claimed the VAT which is totally legal and is not a fraud. Never in my post said I won't pay the duty when I return.

[fsprow]

Sorry - was not re your post. Rather those like vipergts66. You certainly did not suggest doing anything wrong.

[Rrpdc]

Buy duty free at airport and avoid vat to begin with if they have your watch in stock.

[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I am curious how you came to this "advice"?

Yes dont listen to this guys advice at all. Yes they will find out, its there job, they see it everyday. If they want theyll bring you to a patdown room interogate you then Put you in the system with a 99 year end date and to be checked everytime you leave and come back into the country all for some duty and because you lied to a federal officer/agent. Pay your duty and move on

[texasmade]

Better to declare it than risk getting caught. A lot of times, they customs agent won’t even care. They mainly focus on fruits and meats but you don’t want to take that chance of getting the guy who checks everything.

[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Better to declare it than risk getting caught. A lot of times, they customs agent won’t even care. They mainly focus on fruits and meats but you don’t want to take that chance of getting the guy who checks everything.

More bad advice. Food products is agriculture the non law enforcement part. Other foreign countries notify us customs of large purchases.

Smuggling, drugs, human trafficking, terrorism, contraband, checking and clearing every container and basically facilitating the entire trade and economy of the us is only a small part.

If your not declaring, its a form of smuggling especially if your a returning resident.

[77T]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

If your not declaring, its a form of smuggling especially if your a returning resident.

No it is not smuggling.

Smuggling goods into the United States is a separate criminal activity 18 U.S. Code § 545 - much different than evading import duties.

If you intentionally leave out items in your declarations upon re-entry to the US, misrepresent their value, or make other false declarations, this can lead to criminal charges. But that is a violation 19 U.S. Code § 1592 - treated as fraud.



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[kaiserphoenix]

There is also a service called MIB, whereby you can pay TAX FREE at the AD, however they retain the watch. Then on the day you leave, you go to the airport and after security, the agency passes you the watch. The advantage here is that you get to pay completely tax free at the beginning so no uncertainties or faffing around at the airport. Also, no fees as well, though some ADs may charge a small fee for this service. Some ADs "might" have a minimum spend for this service to be applied, I believe in Harrods its 20 or 25K GBP.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

More bad advice. Food products is agriculture the non law enforcement part. Other foreign countries notify us customs of large purchases.

Smuggling, drugs, human trafficking, terrorism, contraband, checking and clearing every container and basically facilitating the entire trade and economy of the us is only a small part.

If your not declaring, its a form of smuggling especially if your a returning resident.

Huh? I basically said declare it and leave it to the discretion of the agent to tax you. Not sure how saying declare your purchases is bad advice. It's been my experience that agents don't always care unless it's food products. They've always been strict on that.

[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by 77T

No it is not smuggling.

Smuggling goods into the United States is a separate criminal activity 18 U.S. Code § 545 - much different than evading import duties.

If you intentionally leave out items in your declarations upon re-entry to the US, misrepresent their value, or make other false declarations, this can lead to criminal charges. But that is a violation 19 U.S. Code § 1592 - treated as fraud.



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Yes its smuggling. Thanks for being a US code keyboard warrior.Lets just say i probably know what im talking about

[77T]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Yes its smuggling. Thanks for being a US code keyboard warrior.Lets just say i probably know what im talking about

You picked an internet dictionary to define smuggling?

ok

Even a novice AAG would pick the right section of USC for charging a person who brought in a single watch without declaring it. It’ll be referred to the Tax Division not the Criminal Division.



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[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by 77T

You picked an internet dictionary to define smuggling?

ok

Even a novice AAG would pick the right section of USC for charging a person who brought in a single watch without declaring it. It’ll be referred to the Tax Division not the Criminal Division.



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...buddy its smuggling in any way shape or form you cut it. Dont let this get your panties in a bunch