Buying a Rolex in Gran Canaria

[Ari]

If I buy a Rolex whilst on hols in Gran Canaria, what's the VAT situation?

Also, how do I find a dealer in that area? The Rolex web site won't give me details outside of the UK.

[Yetski]

Try this
http://www.infograncanaria.net/new.php?true?136?ra...

[Ari]

That's excellent, thank you. Just trying to find an email address for them.

So if I buy a Rolex there, what happens with regards to the VAT?

[Ari]

Just spoken to them, it's the same price there as here, and EU coutry of course so no VAT advantage either.

Oh, and they don't have one in and won't have till I've been and gone.

Oh well, it was just a thought.

[hilly10]

Wrong on the EU country they are Tax free islands so you would atract Vat when you came back to Blighty. Now when I have come back from outside the EU ie I did buy a watch in Aruba I just wore it and put the box in my case and the receipt in my mates wallet

[Ari]

Hmmm interesting! What's odd then is when I called them they quoted a euro price which, when converted into pounds, was near as dammit UK vat paid list price.

Guess the exchange rate is working against us?

[hilly10]

Over the years I have purchased a couple of watches in Tenerife ie a Speedmaster and a Seamaster both were about £400 each cheaper then the UK price, mind you the last one was in 03

[Riff Raff]

hilly10 said:

Wrong on the EU country they are Tax free islands so you would atract Vat when you came back to Blighty. Now when I have come back from outside the EU ie I did buy a watch in Aruba I just wore it and put the box in my case and the receipt in my mates wallet

Would you get hit for Import Duty as well if you went through the red channel?

I've just bought some watch parts from the US, and will have to pay Import Duty and VAT when the packet gets here.

[hilly10]

Yes I suppose you would,that's if one went through the Red Channel. I think in these austere times, they (Customs) are out to claw as much back as they can

[Adrian W]

Riff Raff said:

hilly10 said:

Wrong on the EU country they are Tax free islands so you would atract Vat when you came back to Blighty. Now when I have come back from outside the EU ie I did buy a watch in Aruba I just wore it and put the box in my case and the receipt in my mates wallet

Would you get hit for Import Duty as well if you went through the red channel?

I've just bought some watch parts from the US, and will have to pay Import Duty and VAT when the packet gets here.

You run the risk of confiscation

[Vipers]

Ari said:

Hmmm interesting! What's odd then is when I called them they quoted a euro price which, when converted into pounds, was near as dammit UK vat paid list price.

Guess the exchange rate is working against us?

Or we are overpriced in the UK.

[Riff Raff]

Adrian W said:

Riff Raff said:

hilly10 said:

Wrong on the EU country they are Tax free islands so you would atract Vat when you came back to Blighty. Now when I have come back from outside the EU ie I did buy a watch in Aruba I just wore it and put the box in my case and the receipt in my mates wallet

Would you get hit for Import Duty as well if you went through the red channel?

I've just bought some watch parts from the US, and will have to pay Import Duty and VAT when the packet gets here.

You run the risk of confiscation

You've lost me. Why would they confiscate a watch if you go through the red channel. The one where you are declaring stuff?

[cts1975]

You could buy from the Rolex dealer in Gibralter - wear it home and DHL the box back to the UK.
Saved £300-£600 in the past on UK prices. My Dad bought one in Baku,Azerbaijan last year, when he got it home he had it serviced in the UK and the Rolex dealer said it had blood on it when they came to clean it!
Not my Dads blood either....

[Ari]

Vipers said:

Ari said:

Hmmm interesting! What's odd then is when I called them they quoted a euro price which, when converted into pounds, was near as dammit UK vat paid list price.

Guess the exchange rate is working against us?

Or we are overpriced in the UK.

Other way up surely? If their VAT free price is the same as our VAT paid price that makes them overpriced. (Or the exchange rate is working against us).