Hermes in the DUTY FREE, airport list!

[MASEML]

In the EU countries is VAT included in the airport duty-free prices or are we only saving the duty we would *ahem* be paying when we declare the items? Exchange rate is good for the USD so that alone is significant, but is there any way to save on both VAT and duty (aside from not declaring)?

Yes, the duty free price does not include the full VAT price. Let's say the VAT in whatever country you are in is 20%, that savings at the airport may only be 18% or something (instead of the entire VAT).

No, there's no way to save on both VAT and duty unless you declare the items to customs and they waive it.

 

[Leah]

In the EU countries is VAT included in the airport duty-free prices or are we only saving the duty we would *ahem* be paying when we declare the items? Exchange rate is good for the USD so that alone is significant, but is there any way to save on both VAT and duty (aside from not declaring)?

The VAT is included in some EU airports at the point of purchase.

It's different policies in various EU airports.

In Frankfurt for example, when you buy at the Hermes store, you pay the FULL amount, including the VAT.
You then have to go to the Global Blue VAT counter (just almost outside), show your receipt and your boarding pass. They will stamp your receipt, and then you go back to the Hermes boutique and they will give you the refund - you can opt to receive the refund in cash or credited back to the credit card you just used.

You will get back approximately 14-16% VAT.

 

[Meta]

In the EU countries is VAT included in the airport duty-free prices or are we only saving the duty we would *ahem* be paying when we declare the items? Exchange rate is good for the USD so that alone is significant, but is there any way to save on both VAT and duty (aside from not declaring)?

In addition to what Leah said, in Heathrow London and CDG Paris, the price would be dependent on the destination of your flight. If you're flying outside the EU, you'll pay the duty free price. (In London, you get full 20% VAT free, whereas in Paris it's only 10% if I'm not mistaken, even though the VAT is 19.6%). You won't have to go to Global Blue counter. HTH.

 

[MASEML]

Hi wen84, the heathrow H isn't a full 20% off. I just purchased something there two months ago - I saved around 18%. May depend on store possibly, not sure if you were referencing H

 

[MASEML]

Actually I just checked my credit card statement, I think I saved even less than 18% when I purchased at H Heathrow. H Heathrow must be franchised since the charge is from Nuance T3 Tax Free Hermes.

 

[Meta]

Hi wen84, the heathrow H isn't a full 20% off. I just purchased something there two months ago - I saved around 18%. May depend on store possibly, not sure if you were referencing H

Actually I just checked my credit card statement, I think I saved even less than 18% when I purchased at H Heathrow. H Heathrow must be franchised since the charge is from Nuance T3 Tax Free Hermes.

MASEML, thanks for your input. I know with H it's only VAT free if you fly out of EU. Cartier on the other hand is VAT free regardless of destination it seems. I'm not sure if H in Heathrow is franchised but when I called up to ask on prices flying outside of EU, I've always been quoted 20% VAT free price from high street.

 

[Pimpernel]

Hi, in 3 weeks I´m flying to Rio de Janeiro from Europe via London, Heathrow Airport - any intel if there are Victoria II bags there? (I´m looking for a Feu, if possible - if I save the 18% VAT I´d pay in Vienna or Brussels it´s worth getting it new, as I´d save 600 Euro re: the high street price!)

 

[MASEML]

Hi, in 3 weeks I´m flying to Rio de Janeiro from Europe via London, Heathrow Airport - any intel if there are Victoria II bags there? (I´m looking for a Feu, if possible - if I save the 18% VAT I´d pay in Vienna or Brussels it´s worth getting it new, as I´d save 600 Euro re: the high street price!)

Are you an EU resident? Unfortunately, at H Heathrow, I believe you will pay the full retail price if you are. My friend who travels a fair bit said Chanel is one of the few stores at H where EU residents can pay the duty free price.

 

[Pimpernel]

Are you an EU resident? Unfortunately, at H Heathrow, I believe you will pay the full retail price if you are. My friend who travels a fair bit said Chanel is one of the few stores at H where EU residents can pay the duty free price.

Yes, I am an EU resident - thanks for telling me I´ll still have to pay full retail price even in the Heathrow duty free, I had NO idea... I guess if it sounds too good to be true, it isn´t

 

[Leah]

Yes, I am an EU resident - thanks for telling me I´ll still have to pay full retail price even in the Heathrow duty free, I had NO idea... I guess if it sounds too good to be true, it isn´t

Pimpernel, my understanding and based on one of my cousin's recent experience (3 weeks ago) this is incorrect. My cousin is an EU resident and was traveling to Japan for vacation.
Since Japan is a non-EU country, she was given the VAT-excluded price at point of purchase regardless of her EU passport. She bought several small items at the Cartier and Hermes boutiques at Heathrow, again just 3 weeks ago.

Can I suggest you call the Hermes Heathrow boutique and double check? I believe there have been changes from the previous EU-passport policy at Heathrow.

If my cousin was offered the VAT-excluded prices at those two stores, I can't imagine it would be any different for you, an EU resident as well.

Please do keep us posted, if you decide to check.

 

[Leah]

I was on email with Harrods concierge earlier and asked them to check VAT policies for EU residents at Heathrow shops including brands under Harrods and other designer stores (since one of my passports is an EU passport although Heathrow is not an airport I like to shop in.)

For EU passport holders, as Wen84 and I have already mentioned earlier:

1. At Hermes - As long as you are traveling outside the EU, even EU residents/passport holders will get the VAT free price.
2. At Chanel - same as Hermes.
3. At Cartier -More lax policy. EU passport holders can still get the VAT free price regardless of destination (you could go to Manchester and you would still get the VAT free price.)
4. Bottega Veneta - same as Cartier
5. Harrods brands (including the likes of Valentino) - same as Cartier & Bottega. VAT free price regardless of destination.

 

[Meta]

I was on email with Harrods concierge earlier and asked them to check VAT policies for EU residents at Heathrow shops including brands under Harrods and other designer stores (since one of my passports is an EU passport although Heathrow is not an airport I like to shop in.)

For EU passport holders, as Wen84 and I have already mentioned earlier:

1. At Hermes - As long as you are traveling outside the EU, even EU residents/passport holders will get the VAT free price.
2. At Chanel - same as Hermes.
3. At Cartier -More lax policy. EU passport holders can still get the VAT free price regardless of destination (you could go to Manchester and you would still get the VAT free price.)
4. Bottega Veneta - same as Cartier
5. Harrods brands (including the likes of Valentino) - same as Cartier & Bottega. VAT free price regardless of destination.

Thank you very much for the confirmation/clarification, Leah! :urock:

 

[Leah]

Thank you very much for the confirmation/clarification, Leah! :urock:

WeN84 - you were the one that provided all the initial correct info so credit must go to you!

Harrods concierge said they get asked all this info all the time since Heathrow never updates their old info on VAT policies on the Heathrow website.

Thanks also for your intel!

 

[sandylow]

Anyone knows what is the exact price of clic h at Heathrow terminal 3?

 

[mrsmes]

I was on email with Harrods concierge earlier and asked them to check VAT policies for EU residents at Heathrow shops including brands under Harrods and other designer stores (since one of my passports is an EU passport although Heathrow is not an airport I like to shop in.)

For EU passport holders, as Wen84 and I have already mentioned earlier:

1. At Hermes - As long as you are traveling outside the EU, even EU residents/passport holders will get the VAT free price.
2. At Chanel - same as Hermes.
3. At Cartier -More lax policy. EU passport holders can still get the VAT free price regardless of destination (you could go to Manchester and you would still get the VAT free price.)
4. Bottega Veneta - same as Cartier
5. Harrods brands (including the likes of Valentino) - same as Cartier & Bottega. VAT free price regardless of destination.

Leah, you are a life saver! Thanks for the intel!