Buying from Europe
European luxury and concept stores often have the best in-season designer stock. Shipping directly outside the EU removes ~20% VAT, landing pieces well below domestic retail.
Brands worth buying
Where to buy
- Farfetch ↗ — Global luxury marketplace; ships to China DDP — duties/taxes included, checkout price is final.
- Mytheresa ↗ — Designer e-tailer; ships to China via DHL with VAT/duties included; free shipping over €600.
- LUISAVIAROMA ↗ — Multibrand luxury; most ship to China with duties prepaid.
- 概念店(Slam Jam / Voo / The Broken Arm) ↗ — Streetwear boutiques; many ship internationally, VAT removed on export outside the EU.
Tax · payment · proxy or direct
EU VAT (~19–25%, commonly ~20%) is removed when shipped directly outside the EU. For shipments to China you may owe Chinese import VAT/duty unless the seller is DDP.
Large EU luxury sites accept international Visa/Mastercard/Amex and usually PayPal; Alipay/WeChat on some China-facing checkouts.
Most major EU luxury/streetwear sites ship to China directly — proxy rarely needed. Use an EU forwarder only for the few EU-only boutiques.
Step by step
- 1
Confirm VAT handling
Shipping outside the EU is usually VAT-exclusive (~20% off) — check the store deducts it at checkout.
- 2
Prefer DDP retailers
Farfetch/Mytheresa prepay China duty so there's no surprise charge on arrival.
- 3
Forward only when EU-only
If a boutique ships EU-only, use a UK/EU forwarding address, then reship.
Forwarding / proxy-buy services
Third-party services; fees per their own terms.
Tips
- ·Choose 'ship to China' so VAT drops off automatically rather than buying then refunding.
- ·Italian tailoring uses EU drop sizing — see the size guide.