Do I have to pay taxes if I buy a laptop computer when visiting Gibraltar?

Question

I am an American who will be in Gibraltar. I will be passing back through Spain on my way to Morocco later that day. If I purchase a laptop in Gibraltar, will I have to pay taxes on my way out? To whom will taxes be paid? How much will taxes be on a 1000 E computer?

Answer 1

Yes you will have to pay taxes on the computer...

I don't know the amount...(that would depend on the cost of the laptop)

But...I have just managed to get hold of a friend who goes shopping in gibraltar every so often...and asked him if he knew the answer to your question

He said it isn't really worth your while to buy it there, as you not only have to pay the taxes, but you need a special international guarantee, which depending on where you live, may be impossible to have endorsed or be able to claim on.

In which case your "inexpensive" laptop will have cost you a "pretty penny" if you have to pay to have it fixed or replaced.

Gibraltar is great for cigarettes, certain liquors, some english food from the Safeway supermarket (articles not easily found in Spain), some clothes in the british shops....And filling your cars tank on your way out!

By the way, my friend just purchased a laptop in Fuengirola at "Telephone Tinas" shop, says the price was excellent (about 765 euros), the brand well known, and with a 2 year guarantee.

Answer 2

Not sure, but something not to forget is that you will pay taxes on purchases over $400 you bring back to the States in addition to any you pay abroad.  Normally you can get the VAT refunded when you leave a country.