Is Van Cleef & Arpels Cheaper in Europe?
If you are traveling to Europe and planning to go shopping, you may be wondering if Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) is cheaper in Europe. The short answer is Yes, Van Cleef & Arpels is cheaper in Europe on average between 2%- 6% depending on the piece of jewelry. Surprisingly it’s not as big as discount as I thought it would be.
Why Van Cleef & Arpels is Cheaper in Europe
There are 3 main reasons why Van Cleef & Arpel is cheaper in Europe. The first and main reason is because you will receive the VAT tax refund back on jewelry purchased in the EU. On average this is a 12% refund applied to your credit card. The second reason is that a majority of brands that are headquartered in Europe, such as Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) don’t have to pay things such as import tax, and duty tax which they do when they are importing it to countries outside the EU. The 3rd reason why VCA is cheaper in Europe is due to the EURO exchange rate fluctuation. Shop Vintage VCA jewelry
Price difference of the Van Cleef Arpels Bracelet in the US, Europe & Singapore
Today, we will compare the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 5 motif 18k yellow gold bracelet price in the US, Europe, and Singapore. The VCA Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif all gold bracelet is only cheaper in Europe by $171. The price difference isn’t as big compared to other luxury brands such as Hermes, Dior, and LV.
USA Price: $5,650 + 501.44 (NYC Tax 8.875%) = $6151
Europe Price: €6,050 – €726 (VAT Tax Refund) = €5,324 Converted to USD: $5980
Singapore Price: S$8,200: Converted to USD: $6204
In short, the most expensive place to purchase Van Cleef Jewelry is in Singapore, and the cheapest place to purchase VCA jewelry is in Europe.Â
Can I get my VCA Jewelry resized in Europe and Shipped to the US?
No, you cannot get your jewelry specifically the bracelet resized in Europe and then shipped to the US. I specifically asked this question when I was traveling to Italy. The Van Cleef sales associate informed me that I could have to get it resized in the US. Keep in mind there are only 27 Van Cleef Stores in the US.Â
If you plan to stay at a location for a long period of the time, then I recommend going to Van Cleef the first day to purchase the bracelet and then get it resized and ask for a rush delivery so it’s done by the time you leave. Shop vintage Van Cleef Jewelry
Final Thoughts on purchasing Van Cleef & Arpel Jewelry in Europe
If you are traveling to Europe, then I recommend purchasing your Van Cleef Jewelry in Europe. I wouldn’t make a special trip to Europe just to buy this bracelet, but if you are already traveling there on holiday and are thinking bout purchasing it you can save a few hundred dollars. Personally, I love purchasing jewelry when I’m on holiday, because it provides a great memory of my time visiting that location.
Sincerely Petite in Paris,
Diane