First off, the obvious, and I mean, *duh*, is hitting up a duty-free shop. Airports are your best friend here. I saw something about Bvlgari having a swanky new boutique in Dubai International Airport. Dubai Duty Free? Sounds promising! Just remember to check the rules on how much you can bring back stateside without getting dinged. Nobody wants to get nailed by customs, trust me. Been there, done that… with a slightly less glamorous purchase, I might add.
Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, can I just claim a tax refund?” Well, that’s where it gets a little murky in the US. Unlike some European countries (I was in Barcelona once, drooling over the Bvlgari store on Passeig de Gràcia, and they had all sorts of tax refund options!), the US doesn’t really have a national VAT refund system for tourists. Total bummer, I know!
But! Don’t despair just yet. There *are* a few potential loopholes (and I use that word lightly, okay? I’m not advocating for anything illegal!). Sometimes, if you’re shipping the jewelry out of state, you *might* be able to avoid sales tax. It kinda depends on the state you’re buying from and the state you’re shipping to. Do some research, or, better yet, ask the salesperson. They usually know the drill.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like the whole sales tax thing is just a big, confusing game. And honestly, I hate the idea of paying more for something that’s already so expensive. Think about it: you’re already dropping serious cash on a B.zero1 ring, do you really need to cough up another few hundred for taxes?!
Another thought—and this is kinda out there—maybe see if you can get a friend who lives in a state with lower (or no!) sales tax to buy it for you and then ship it. Again, I’m just spitballing here!
