Rolex VAT Refund in Italy

[Old Expat Beast]

Thinking of shopping for a new Rolex on my next trip to Italy, where prices look good after the sales tax refund. Has anyone been through this procedure at an Italian airport (Venice specifically) and was it smooth? Will be transiting at Paris for three hours after Venice on the way home to Hong Kong, but assume Venice airport is the place I'll be doing the paperwork. An alternative might be getting the AD to mail me the watch and thereby not needing to pay sales tax. Thanks in advance.

[DCheeta]

I have done it in Italy, although not with a Rolex and not in Venice. The VAT tax refund procedure in Milan (Malpensa) was somewhat maddening, and the guy I dealt with was a real a-hole. But as you'll be departing via Venice you'll avoid both of these things. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

I've never bought a watch overseas, so I don't know what I'm talking about, but wouldn't it be easier to buy it in a duty-free airport shop, rather than dealing with all that VAT refund paperwork?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I have done it in Italy, although not with a Rolex and not in Venice. The VAT tax refund procedure in Milan (Malpensa) was somewhat maddening, and the guy I dealt with was a real a-hole. But as you'll be departing via Venice you'll avoid both of these things. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

I've never bought a watch overseas, so I don't know what I'm talking about, but wouldn't it be easier to buy it in a duty-free airport shop, rather than dealing with all that VAT refund paperwork?

Thanks. Good point. Not sure if Venice has a duty-free shop selling Rolex; there may be one in Paris. A new Rolex boutique has just opened in Hong Kong International Airport, but we're all tax free here anyway (much to the delight of ADs).