[Gina]

Looking for some insight for my brother. This is a text from him. Can anyone affirm or deny this type of transaction? Thanks!

I am trying to buy an expensive wristwatch in Italy. The manufacturer confirmed the retailer is an authorized dealer.

I have searched the web all over for a year to find it elsewhere, hopefully stateside.

No luck though except this store in Italy.
The retailer is ready to sell me the watch and has sent me photos.

They are ready to take my PayPal transaction. They also want a picture of my passport to redeem the VAT tax on the purchase.

He said it proves domicile outside Italy so I can get the tax back. His tax preparer emailed me a copy of the Italian tax regulation that mandates it.

But I hesitated about sending a picture of my passport though. I don’t know if that is normal for a European purchase.

He knows I am uneasy and said I can purchase it at full price instead, forgoing the VAT refund. But that refund is about $1500 that I would want back.

Do you have any insight?

[Rhonda]

I love Italy so much I would just fly over and pick it up myself then you can do the vat refund at the airport and it’s deposited almost immediately back on your credit card.

[Tony]

But is “PayPal” payment normal?! Not a chance I do this transaction.

[Cris]

I just bought a phone in Spain from Apple. They made a copy of my passport, gave me

The VAT tax form and it was showing in my Global Blue app too.

When I left Europe, I needed an exit stamp from customs officers and that’s when the VAT processing could be performed.

[Beatrice]

It is normal to be able to get your taxes back from European purchases. Make sure he does the transaction on the official website or partner.

Also, he can claim his taxes in the departure airport

[Jeremy]

I had to show my passport for every duty free purchase in Japan.

[Karen]

I bought a hard-to-find expensive watch from a jeweler in Germany.

Especially since the manufacturer confirms they are an authorized retailer, I would be ok with this transaction.

[Krystal]

Totally normal unless you don’t want to claim the VAT back your departure.

[Ashleigh]

I recommend you go get it in person. You have to validate the VAT refund paperwork in person at the airport before leaving the Schengen area (EU).

They do need your passport during the purchase to complete the paperwork.

[Olusayo]

PayPal is a red flag for me. Reads like a scam. Please be careful

[Author]

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