Rolex purchase from Switzerland

Rolex purchase from Switzerland

Author
Discussion

CarbonV12V

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

182 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
I am sure that some of you must have done similar. I have been tempted by a new Rolex in Switzerland. They will ship without local sales tax (8%) if exported directly from Switzerland (I could send to Italy or UK) and I will of course by responsible from import duty/tax. I could also collect in person as in Italy over the next week or so but if I collect I will have to pay the local sales tax.

Has anyone done this and then recovered the local sales tax on leaving Switzerland (which I would do within 24 hours). I will then of course have to declare the purchase in whichever country I decide to keep it but if I understand correctly that is a completely separate transaction from the reclaim of Swiss sales tax.

Anyone else recovered Swiss sales tax on a substantial purchase and then declared when entering the final country of residence.

The watch is substantially cheaper that I could buy in the UK even if I add UK duty and VAT.

Thanks

cannedheat

947 posts

274 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Where in Switz? Most of the watch shops here in Geneva will deduct the tax in the shop so all you need to do is get the custom forms stamped at the airport or wherever. The actual deduction is around 7.4%, not 8%...

CarbonV12V

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

182 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Lugano.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
CarbonV12V said:
Lugano.
I've PM'ed you.

CarbonV12V

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

182 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
jshell said:
I've PM'ed you.
I emailed you back as nothing has come though.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Thursday 31st July 2014
quotequote all
CarbonV12V said:
I emailed you back as nothing has come though.
Got your mail and pinged you back.

W99KSY

355 posts

137 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
quotequote all
Sorry to hijack - does anyone know of any AD's in Switzerland that would discount on a lady datejust ? Would also consider Milan if anyones had luck getting a decent discount there

TIA smile

cannedheat

947 posts

274 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
quotequote all
W99KSY said:
Sorry to hijack - does anyone know of any AD's in Switzerland that would discount on a lady datejust ? Would also consider Milan if anyones had luck getting a decent discount there

TIA smile
These people have 2 shops in Geneva and have been willing to negotiate when I've enquired on various models:

http://www.bucherer.com/en/product-range-and-inspi...

They also apply any tax discount in-store so no fees or claiming back at the airport/border.

W99KSY

355 posts

137 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, was in the Bucherer Rolex boutique trying on a few different styles at the weekend - wasn't sure whether they'd entertain a bit of negotiating though smile

Re: tax unfortunately i'm a resident so can't claim back the VAT here but Italy/EU could be an option

cannedheat

947 posts

274 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
quotequote all
I'm a resident too (Geneva), but most of the stores I've been in have been happy to do the tax discount as long as I have a UK passport and a UK address...

jrpippen

2 posts

115 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
I bought an omega in Switzerland and the ship took a separate payment for the tax, when I wasn't stopped at customs either end they simply refund is it as they promised they would.

I didn't declare it. Why would you? It wasn't modern Rolex money though in fairness.

LHD

17,000 posts

186 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Tried to buy a Tudor Pelagos in Geneva back in March.

By the time i'd done the sums it was as cheap to buy one i the UK including the VAT...

ADP68

528 posts

170 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Is the base price for a watch (excl vat and local taxes etc) less in Switzerland than the uk? If you're flying outside the EU the chap in WOS have me his card and told me to call him to order if there's anything I wanted. That was T4 LHR.