The Cheapest Countries To Buy Gucci (Perfect For Destination Shopping)
Gucci is one of the top luxury brands at the moment, so if you’re looking for the best place to buy a Gucci, we’ve got you covered with this article all about the cheapest country to buy Gucci!
The Italian fashion house, Gucci, has so many beautiful pieces on offer, from quirky ready-to-wear men’s and womenswear to luxurious handbags, stunning belts, and gorgeous shoes! However, Gucci does have pretty high price tags, and the prices can differ a little, depending on where you are in the world.
If you do have your eye on any of the luxury goods from Gucci, you may be wondering where the best place to buy them is! That’s where we come in with this article explaining everything you need to know about the cheapest country to buy Gucci.
Plus, we have included some of our favorite Gucci pieces that we think you will love and really need on your wish list!
Cheapest Countries to buy Gucci
The cheapest place in the world to buy Gucci is Europe, which is great news if you have a trip to Europe booked soon! With this said, while retail prices in the eurozone are generally the cheapest, tourists will get an additional tax refund, which can be up to 15.5% in countries like Italy.
However, if you are an EU citizen, you do not qualify for this tax refund, and Japan will be the cheapest destination for your Gucci purchase, with Korea being a close second. With this said, generally speaking, if you are a non-EU resident, Europe, and especially the eurozone, will be the cheapest place to get your hands on Gucci products.
Let’s explore more about which specific countries in Europe offer the best tax refunds, how to get the best deals, and the exact prices available.
Why is Europe the Cheapest Destination?
There are many reasons why Europe is the cheapest place to buy Gucci if you are from the United States, the UK, Australia, or Asia, including the import duties, transportation costs, and the VAT refund available to non-European residents.
Firstly, all Gucci pieces are made in Europe, mostly in the brand’s Italian workshops, meaning the taxes and costs of the products are lower than any other region, especially compared to the US.
Also, countries within the European Union do not have to pay import tax, meaning an item that is shipped from Italy to Germany will have no import taxes added on since both countries are in the EU. Whereas luxury goods shipped from Italy to America or the United Kingdom will have to pay import duties.
Finally, the VAT refund that is available throughout many European countries means the price is reduced even further for non-European residents since they will receive a percentage of the tax back – but we will explore this more later on.
Price comparison
Let’s compare some of the prices to see exactly how much the price difference is. We will begin by looking at the prices without the VAT refund and then calculate the final price later on. As you can see, even without the VAT refund, Europe is still one of the cheapest places to buy Gucci products, right alongside Japan and Korea.
Below you will see the price for a Gucci Ophidia GG Medium Tote in different countries:
Home Country | Price in Home Country | USD Price |
United States | $1650 + tax | $1,650 + tax |
United Kingdom | £1,250 | $1,547 |
France/Italy (Eurozone) | €1,390 | $1,493 |
Japan | ¥203,500 | $1,456 |
Korea | ₩1,950,000 | $1,473 |
Hong Kong | 12,500 HK Dollars | $1,595 |
This table shows that the Japanese price is the lowest, closely followed by Korea and the eurozone countries, such as Italy and France. We will now deduct the VAT refund from all of these three prices to show you the final price of this Gucci Ophidia Medium Tote.
Tax-Free Shopping & Refunds
The tax refund you will get is different in each country and often depends on how much you spend, so it is worth checking out the exact percentage before you travel. Here are some of the countries with the best tax refund rates in Europe and around the world, according to Upon.io:
Country | Tax Refund Rate |
Italy | 11.6% to 15.5% |
Spain | 10.4% to 15.7% |
Portugal | 12% to 15% |
Greece | 8.7% to 16.7% |
Netherlands | 7.8% to 15% |
France | 12% |
Sweden | 8% to 19%. |
Denmark | 11.8% to 17.5% |
Norway | 11% to 19% |
Belgium | 7.8% to 15% |
Japan | 10% (maximum $3,800 in one day) |
Korea | 10% (purchases up to $3,800) |
While Sweden, Denmark and Norway have amazing VAT refund rates, they don’t use the euro, so pricing there isn’t entirely comparable to other eurozone countries. As the exact price of items isn’t available online, we will leave these countries out of further calculations below.
Using these rates and the VAT calculator provided by Glocalzone, we can unveil the true cost of the Gucci Ophidia GG Medium Tote.
Country | Approx. Price after tax refund | Price in USD |
Italy | €1,195.4 | $1,280 |
Spain | €1188.45 | $1,273 |
Portugal | €1195.4 | $1,280 |
Greece | €1,195.4 | $1,280 |
Netherlands | €1208.3 | $1,295 |
France | €1,223 | $1,310 |
Belgium | €1202.4 | $1,288 |
Japan | ¥183,150 | $1,305 |
Korea | ₩1,755,000 | $1,325 |
It is worth noting that the exact tax refund rate of a country will depend on Gucci’s policy in that specific country. For example, Italy’s tax refund rate for purchases below €1,700 is between 11.6% – 13.2%; for Greece, it’s 8.7% – 15.7% for purchases under €6,000; for the Netherlands, it’s 7.8% – 14.3% for purchases under €4,500, and for Belgium, it’s 7.8% – 13.4% for purchases under €4,005, all of which are HUGE ranges!
With everything taken into account, it’s safe to say that while all eurozone countries are fantastic places to buy Gucci for a discounted price, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are usually among the best countries to buy Gucci the cheapest. However, you can also get a great deal in Scandinavian countries and the Benelux region, particularly Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which offers a wide array of luxury boutiques.
Alternatively, if you are traveling to Asia, particularly as an EU citizen, don’t shy away from shopping for Gucci in Korea and Japan, as the prices are very similar to European rates!
Out of all these countries, Italy would be our number #1 recommendation for destination shopping, as it is the home country of the brand, and thus more likely to have a larger inventory of products. Likewise, Paris in France is a great destination for luxury shopping – while you’ll get “just” 12% of your money back, sometimes the availability of rarer items makes up for this.
On the contrary, periphery countries, particularly Greece and Portugal, may not offer such a huge selection of products.
How to get the EU VAT refund
There are a few rules you need to follow and steps in order to access this VAT refund, so let’s delve in!
First of all, to qualify for this refund, you need to be:
- Older than 18 years old
- A non-EU citizen (British citizens are now applicable for this VAT refund because the UK has left the EU)
- You cannot be in the country for longer than three months, although in some countries, such as France, you can stay for up to six months.
- You need to spend more than the established in a single store, in a single day – this again changes on the country, for example, in France, it is €175, in Germany, it is €25, while in Italy it is €154.
The refund system is therefore perfect for if you are on holiday in Europe and looking to pick up a new designer handbag!
When you make your purchase, make sure to have your passport on hand and ask the sales assistant for a tax refund form to make sure you have the right form and all the details before you leave the store. Once you reach the airport or train station to leave the country, you need to find the customs desk or refund machine to hand over your paperwork, then check your receipt and passport before you can receive your refund.
Most countries give you the option of a cash refund automatically, which can be a little less money, or you can receive the refund on your credit card, where you will get the full amount.
It is worth noting that since the UK has left the European Union, British citizens can now receive this refund, but there is no VAT refund system if you are buying luxury items from the UK.
Upon.io has all the details for the minimum spend and percentage refund for a whole range of European countries.
Best-selling Gucci Bags and shoes
Now you know where to go shopping for Gucci items, you need to decide what to buy while you are there. Here are some of the best-selling Gucci bags and shoes, as well as some of our favorites that really deserve a place in your wardrobe.
1. Shoulder Bags
The Aphrodite Small Shoulder Bag is one of the newest additions to the Gucci bag collection and has a chic, minimalist style.
The bag is made from luxurious leather, available in a range of colors, and is finished with gold hardware. The chain strap and leather strap mean you can adapt the bag to suit your look, while the zip top allows easy access to the roomy interior.
The Gucci GG Marmont Small Shoulder Bag is an iconic designer bag that you will reach for loads in your wardrobe.
The black, quilted leather, embellished with gold hardware, is versatile enough to suit both day and night looks and will add a glam touch to your outfit. The pull-through strap means you can wear the bag on the shoulder or across the body.
2. Tote Bags
If you are looking for a practical luxury bag, then this Gucci Ophidia GG Medium Tote is just perfect for you! The spacious tote has a quintessentially Gucci look, crafted from GG supreme canvas and decorated with red and green webbing and a gold GG logo.
The looping shoulder straps are made from leather, while inside the bag you will find a zip pocket and enough room for your work or weekend essentials.
The Gucci Diana bag was a favorite of Princess Diana herself and was subsequently named after her. The bag, which is made from high-quality leather, has a structured, smart silhouette and features bamboo top handles – a strikingly unique detail!
The tote also comes with a detachable web strap and a leather strap and is available in seven different colors to suit any personal style.
3. top Handle bags
We love this top-handle variation of the famous Gucci Dionysus bag. This example of the gorgeous Dionysus bag is made from GG supreme canvas and decorated with a curved, palladium-toned tiger head closure.
The top handle is great for evening wear, or attach the shoulder strap to style across the body during the day. The inside is compact, but there is plenty of room for your everyday essentials.
Add a pop of color to your look with this beautiful Gucci Blondie Top-Handle Bag is pale pink leather! The front of the bag features a gleaming gold interlocking G logo, a motif that has been pulled from the Gucci archives.
The organized interior is fitted with three pockets, and there is a top handle, a chain strap, and a leather strap, meaning you can style this bag in so many different ways!
4. Shoes
These Gucci Ace Sneakers are best-seller because of their versatility and effortlessly stylish look. The sneakers are made from supple white leather and then decorated with red and green webbing down each side and an embroidered gold bee.
The heel of each shoe then features a metallic leather patch to add a little more sparkle! The comfy insole and rubber sole ensure a comfortable feel.
These Gucci sandals are a must-have for the summer months. The sleek black sandals are made from leather with a comfy moulded footbed and thick rubber sole, to add that little extra height.
The leather straps that cross over the foot are decorated with the Gucci brand name in bright white lettering, while the slingback strap secures with a buckle to ensure the perfect fit.
We hope you found this article exploring the cheapest country to buy Gucci, interesting! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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