Is it cheaper to buy a pre-owned watch in Japan?

Listed in Japan, none in Taiwan right now320 models

• Cartier W51008Q3 115 watches
• Rolex 69173G 77 watches
• Rolex 14270 66 watches
• Rolex 69174 60 watches
• Rolex 79174G 41 watches
• Rolex 179174G 39 watches
• Rolex 76080 37 watches
• Rolex 14000 35 watches
• Rolex 16710 34 watches
• Rolex 15200 29 watches
• Rolex 5500 28 watches
• Rolex 114060 27 watches

308 more: see the Japan price list

Listed in Japan, none in Hong Kong right now369 models

• Cartier W51008Q3 115 watches
• Rolex 79174 74 watches
• Rolex 14270 66 watches
• Rolex 16234 64 watches
• Rolex 16233G 57 watches
• Rolex 79173G 43 watches
• Rolex 79174G 41 watches
• Rolex 179174G 39 watches
• Rolex 14000 35 watches
• Rolex 16710 34 watches
• Rolex 116400 25 watches
• Rolex 126200 25 watches

357 more: see the Japan price list

How tax-free and import tax work

1. Prices in Japanese shops include 10% consumption tax. Visitors who buy in person with their passport at a tax-free shop and take the watch out of Japan are exempt: tax-free price = price ÷ 1.1, about 9.1% less.
2. Until October 31, 2026: the shop handles the paperwork and you pay the tax-free price on the spot.
3. From November 1, 2026 Japan switches to a refund system: you pay the tax-inclusive price, customs confirms the export when you leave (within 90 days of purchase), and the tax is refunded afterwards. Refund fees are not set by law and vary by shop, so none are deducted here. The distinction between general goods and consumables and the ¥500,000 cap are abolished. (Sources: mlit.go.jp, nta.go.jp)
4. Conversion uses the day's mid-market rate (rate and date in the footer); your card or exchange rate will differ.
5. Bringing it into Taiwan: baggage worth up to NT$35,000 in total is duty-free. The excess pays 4% duty on watches plus 5% business tax on (value + duty), about 9.2% of the excess; customs sets the value. Declare in the red channel. If the taxable part exceeds US$20,000 you need an import permit first. (Sources: law.moj.gov.tw, mof.gov.tw, web.customs.gov.tw)
6. Bringing it into Hong Kong: watches carry no duty and there is no sales tax. (Sources: customs.gov.hk)
7. Cards: Taiwan-issued cards usually charge 1.5% abroad, Hong Kong cards 1.95%; cash has no fee. Pay in yen, not in your home currency (dynamic currency conversion usually costs more). Some shops add a card surcharge; see "Which shops sell tax-free" below.
8. Warranty: some shops state that tax-free purchases carry no shop warranty (see "Warranty on tax-free purchases" below). If you want the warranty you pay the tax-inclusive price and the gap shrinks by 9.1%.

Example: Take 126334: Japan median ¥2,449,900, tax-free ¥2,227,182, about NT$449,198 in Taiwan currency, plus about NT$38,106 tax on arrival in Taiwan, about NT$487,304 in total. The Taiwan median is NT$469,000: Japan 4% dearer.

Example: Take 126000: Japan median ¥1,675,000, tax-free ¥1,522,727, about HK$75,680 in Hong Kong currency. The Hong Kong median is HK$79,000: Japan 4% cheaper.

Which shops sell tax-free

What each Japanese shop states on its own website; sources and check dates are on the shop pages. "Not stated" does not mean no; ask before you go.

Where the shops are

53 locations of 8 shops, by prefecture. Addresses and hours are as stated on the shops' websites (check dates on the shop pages); "tax-free" marks locations whose page states tax-free sales.

Next

• Rolex price list by reference for the Japan market
• On a reference page, open "Compare across countries" and pick how you pay to estimate the real cost
• Warranty, returns and payment terms of each shop
• Save the watches you want and check their prices again before you go

This is an estimate, not a quote. Exchange rates are mid-market rates from Oct 4, 2026; tax rules and shop terms were checked on Oct 3, 2026. Confirm with the shop, customs and your card issuer. Being listed is not a recommendation.