Hermes in the DUTY FREE, airport list!

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#811
As I understand it:...
In the UK VAT (value added tax, which replaced purchase tax here many years ago) is 20% on most things you buy.
I have wondered why the refund you get is nowhere near that. Is it the charges that the collection companies make?

At airports, ports and on planes it is called Duty Free Shopping. The prices are little lower than we might pay in other shops, the mark down on alcohol and perfume is not much greater than we can get on promotions in supermarkets or department stores if at all.
Being in the EU excise/import duty is not charged to us if we in France or Germany and bring back to England. ( We have to be aware that we can get hefty charges on that eBay bargain from USA or Japan)
What is offered to tourists/visitors is a VAT refund, so that should be 20%

I did think that some of the major international companies adjusted their pricing so that wherever you bought in the world the final cost would be the same (disregarding any tax/duty rebates). But comparing Hermes online shopping prices for different countries this does not appear to be so.

This article might be of interest:
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_mo/t_mo_duty_free.html
 
#812
yssy said:
Will be flying next month to London (LHR T5) > Paris > Barcelona > London (LHR T3) and back to home (non-EU), wonder if I should get a Garden Party as my first Hermes. Is Heathrow really the cheapest place to buy Hermes (do they have non-VAT price for non-EU citizen as Chanel)? Does it mean I can only buy it on my return trip since they will ask for a boarding pass? Thanks in advance :smile:
Click to expand...

yssy said:
Hi, sorry that i am not too familiar with the VAT thing, I am flying to both Paris and LHR next month, thinking to get a GP 30cm all leather.
Per the official website it cost EUR2500 or GBP2300.
If I am getting it in Paris, does it mean EUR2500 - VAT refund of 10% (or 12%)?
and If I am getting it in LHR, does it mean GBP2300 - VAT free (= direct deduct 13%)?

I am very eager to have my first Hermes, sorry if I am too dumb for the above questions, thanksss
Click to expand...

While Heathrow may have the best price for Hermes for those flying non-EU destinations, you might not always find exactly what you want at the store. This has happened to me a few times, so if you find the exact bag that you want, just buy it regardless of London, Paris or Barcelona.

To answer your question, duty free prices are only applicable if you're flying to a non-EU destination as a boarding pass is required for duty-free purchase.

VAT refund for France is 10% for Hermes and for duty free price at Heathrow it's the retail price divided by 1.2, which will be your duty free price. In the case of the GP, it'll be £1916.67 or they might round it up to £1917. VAT refund in Spain is actually higher than France even though retail prices are the same, though I don't know the exact percentage as I'm not eligible to take advantage of that. Good luck finding the GP that you want.
 
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#813
PJW5813 said:
As I understand it:...
In the UK VAT (value added tax, which replaced purchase tax here many years ago) is 20% on most things you buy.
I have wondered why the refund you get is nowhere near that. Is it the charges that the collection companies make?
Click to expand...
Yes, they charge their admin fee a percentage of the VAT refund.
 
#816
weN84 said:
While Heathrow may have the best price for Hermes for those flying non-EU destinations, you might not always find exactly what you want at the store. This has happened to me a few times, so if you find the exact bag that you want, just buy it regardless of London, Paris or Barcelona.

To answer your question, duty free prices are only applicable if you're flying to a non-EU destination as a boarding pass is required for duty-free purchase.

VAT refund for France is 10% for Hermes and for duty free price at Heathrow it's the retail price divided by 1.2, which will be your duty free price. In the case of the GP, it'll be £1916.67 or they might round it up to £1917. VAT refund in Spain is actually higher than France even though retail prices are the same, though I don't know the exact percentage as I'm not eligible to take advantage of that. Good luck finding the GP that you want.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot :)
 
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#817
Hello everyone!

I am traveling to London/ Paris end June, and eager to get my first Hermes (eyeing on the Garden Party in Negonda or Epsom...hopefully with a rodeo charm too)

Is the GP difficult to find in the boutiques? Please give some advice...wanted to go to the Paris flagship store, but afraid of the long queue :(
 
#818
bebe8881 said:
Hello everyone!

I am traveling to London/ Paris end June, and eager to get my first Hermes (eyeing on the Garden Party in Negonda or Epsom...hopefully with a rodeo charm too)

Is the GP difficult to find in the boutiques? Please give some advice...wanted to go to the Paris flagship store, but afraid of the long queue :sad:
Click to expand...

GP is not difficult to find here in London, they appear on shelves most of the time. If not, they certainly have stock at the back! (including neutral colours)

rodeo charms are not that easy to come by in London store, you have to try it with an SA. usually they offer to existing customers
 
#823
I'm transiting through LHR to Madrid next week. Can I purchase anything at the boutique in T3 or T5? I realize that the duty free price would not apply as I'm flying within the EU, but would I be allowed to shop there? TIA :flowers:
 
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