Rolex purchase / Tax refund Europe

[Alex21]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Belgium from Canada. I'd like to buy a rolex over there.

1. Does anyone has an experience with tax refund?
2. Do you know if i have to declare the watch and pay taxes back to Canada?

Thanks for helping

Cheers,
Alex

[NeoXerxes]

I've never bought a watch in Belgium, but I have attempted to obtain a tax refund on other products.

My experience was horrid and better left unsaid. Long story short, I had problems with the bureaucracy and didn't get my refund.

In general, you must declare the watch and pay taxes upon return to your home country, else you would be essentially dodging taxes on a high value item.

Good luck to you.

[Twentyfourframe]

I bought my Rolex new in London from an AD and was able to claim back the VAT (20%) at the airport on my return trip to Sydney. It was pretty easy for me, as long as the AD is clued up and issues the appropriate tax return forms, the hardest bit was waiting in line at the airport...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Alex21

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Belgium from Canada. I'd like to buy a rolex over there.

1. Does anyone has an experience with tax refund?
2. Do you know if i have to declare the watch and pay taxes back to Canada?

Thanks for helping

Cheers,
Alex

When you return to Canada, you have to declare all of the goods you acquired while outside Canada, such as purchases, gifts, prizes or awards that you are bringing with you or are having shipped to you. Include goods that are still in your possession that you bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free shop.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-vo...b-rmf-eng.html

[GinzoMatic]

I bought my DSSD in Prague and got my stamp when leaving the EU from Germany (Frankfurt i think?) Process was easy for me. You'll get the paperwork from the AD, then get it stamped after you get your airline tickets (proving you're leaving the EU) but before you go through security. You'll then mail the paperwork back to the processing office when you get home.

Can't speak to Canadian tax law.

[Alex21]

NeoXerxes Thanks for sharing!
Cheers

[Alex21]

Twentyfourframe Right, from Belgium i can get back 21% taxes which means 9471 $ cad for a sub ceramic date . That's much better than what i can get here from a local AD..
I thought about "Global blue" for the tax return but now i realize all i need is to get the tax refund form from the Belg. AD
Cheers

[Alex21]

beshannon I will make sure i'm not in trouble with Canadian border officers. I will call them before my trip to have an idea how much to expect to pay there..
Cheers

[Tim010]

Originally Posted by Alex21

beshannon I will make sure i'm not in trouble with Canadian border officers. I will call them before my trip to have an idea how much to expect to pay there..
Cheers

I bought a watch in the UK and used Global Blue for the VAT refund. AD gave me paperwork when making the purchase and I got the refund at the airport in cash.

When returning to Canada after deducting my $800 exemption I was liable for 5% GST (Alberta) and 5% customs duty fee. I think I paid Customs about $700 on the Air King I purchased but got about 600 GBP refunded to me at the airport.

Tim

[Alex21]

Twentyfourframe Thanks for the feedback!

[Alex21]

Tim010 You basically saved 400$ on your Air King considering that 600GBP is approx 1200 $. That's a pretty good deal!
Do i need the app Global Blue on my mobile? What if the AD doesn't have Global Blue forms? should i have with me a copy of the form when heading to the AD maybe? I'm asking this because i won't have internet service on my mobile in Belgium

[Tim010]

Originally Posted by Alex21

Tim010 You basically saved 400$ on your Air King considering that 600GBP = approx 1200 $. That's a pretty good deal!

Not quite that much but close. Here is a copy of a previous post where I documented the returns.


So watch purchased at 4550 GBP with VAT refund of 620 GBP so in UK funds paid a total of 3930 GBP.

3930 GBP at exchange rate of 1.66 is $6523 CAD. Plus customs fees of $700 so my cost was $7223.

Cost in Canada of the watch would be $7100 plus 5% GST of $355 so a total of $7455.

So even with declaring the watch and paying the full 5% GST and 5% import duty I was $232 ahead.

[Alex21]

Originally Posted by Tim010

Not quite that much but close. Here is a copy of a previous post where I documented the returns.


So watch purchased at 4550 GBP with VAT refund of 620 GBP so in UK funds paid a total of 3930 GBP.

3930 GBP at exchange rate of 1.66 is $6523 CAD. Plus customs fees of $700 so my cost was $7223.

Cost in Canada of the watch would be $7100 plus 5% GST of $355 so a total of $7455.

So even with declaring the watch and paying the full 5% GST and 5% import duty I was $232 ahead.

Got it. As for me, here what i got for a Sub ceramic :

Cost in Canada : 10237$ after 5% GST tax paid.
Cost in Brussels : 6487 euros = 9471$ after 21% tax refund.

In addition to that, the lady travelling with me will purchase a datejust which should help me to get a discount from the AD. I don't know how much discount i should ask though..

[Alex21]

Tim010 Got it. As for me, here what i got for a Sub ceramic :

Cost in Canada : 10237$ after 5% GST tax paid.
Cost in Brussels : 6487 euros = 9471$ after 21% tax refund.

In addition to that, the lady travelling with me will purchase a datejust which should help me to get a discount from the AD. I don't know how much discount i should ask though..

[Dr.LJ]

Originally Posted by Alex21

Twentyfourframe Right, from Belgium i can get back 21% taxes which means 9471 $ cad for a sub ceramic date . That's much better than what i can get here from a local AD..
I thought about "Global blue" for the tax return but now i realize all i need is to get the tax refund form from the Belg. AD
Cheers

You need to check with the AD in Belgium their policy for travelers to see if you'll get a full VAT refund. It might not always be the case.

[Alex21]

Dr. LJ

Oh Okay! i tought it was the case with any AD. Thanks for letting me know that.

[HK Islandboy]

Have you found an AD with a SubC in Brussels? Tales here of Rolex availability in Europe of late paint a generally bleak picture

[Alex21]

HK Islandboy

I've been in a long waiting list for months already. I'm next.

[PackPride]

Good luck on the hunt- I was in 5 countries three weeks ago and stainless sports watches were not available anywhere.

I looked pretty hard in the U.K. As the exchange rate made it very favorable.

Call around before you go and maybe you will get lucky- you can try the airports too. Most have a Rolex shop.

[JP(Canada)]

Many dealers in Europe steer you though global blue for the tax refund, and Global Blue (and others) charge a fee for that (as I recall, it's 3%). You need to declare your watch when you come back to Canada. With the new trade agreement with EU, some have said the luxury duty is gone, but you still pay the taxes of whatever province you enter Canada.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Alex21

HK Islandboy

I've been in a long waiting list for months already. I'm next.

Nicely arranged!

[Alex21]

What if after having purchased the watch, the buyer goes to another continent where he has a second house, leaves the box and papers and goes back to Canada wearing his watch. Just wondering...

[Alex21]

Done! local AD called me they got one. Bought it 2 days ago locally :)