Buying fencing equipment overseas

[mfp]

I'm based in the US, but travel overseas a fair amount. I've been wondering what good opportunities for buying fencing equipment and supplies I've been missing for lack of knowing about them. Within a year I'll have visited Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Australia, New Zealand and some random other places.

While I've phone and web ordered various fencing items from overseas vendors before, shipping charges have often eaten up a large part of the price advantage. But if you're already in the country with an extra suitcase, shipping costs disappear.

So do any of you have vendors in places around the world where when you're "in the neighborhood" you pick up favorite fencing items that are unavailable or are much more costly in the US?

Anything from the Leon Paul retail store in London to the more exotic. Perhaps you've scored a suitcase full and lifetime supply of gloves dirt cheap from a factory in Hong Kong. Or fencing shoes from Elbonia. Or your clubmates always want those sabre blades (made from depleted uranium) from Moscow. Or perhaps you made a deal with Sam to bring back a suitcase full of high quality foil and epee screws that you bought at 1000 for $1. Whatever you've found.

[JEC]

If you are in an european country belonging to EC, you would pay VAT (european sale tax), which you then can apply for reimbursement. Unless Leon Paul and others have duty-free stores.

<small>[ 08-28-2002, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: JEC ]</small>

[Zelda]

Duellist is more fun then Leon Paul if you are in london. <a href="http://www.duellist.com" target="_blank">www.duellist.com</a> . If you are in Australia there are some clubs in Melbourne which have "store fronts" as such but most other places you trek to the dealers house and scratch around their stock. Dont know if that helps at all. A friend on mine got cheap addidas shoes in CHina, but I am not sure where abouts in Beijing.

[slosher]

I think if you keep your receipts from an EU country you can claim the VAT at the airport. Not sure about this though, any help anyone?

[mfp]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by slosher:
<strong>I think if you keep your receipts from an EU country you can claim the VAT at the airport. Not sure about this though, any help anyone?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Yes, for EU member countries, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and some others it's possible to get a refund of VAT or GST paid on goods you take out of the country. The process varies depending on the country and/or airport. In some countries it involves minimum amounts and only works if you purchase from merchants who are part of the scheme. In some countries/airports, the refund scheme is operated completely by government. At other airports, a 3rd party firm will submit the paperwork to the tax authority for you and give you the refund you're due ... all for an administrative fee of course.

[Inquartata]

You could probably make some friends by bringing back Soudet stuff---I don't think anyone in the US markets it. Some of it is excellent gear.