I buy back used watches, do I have to pay the HBJOAT tax?

Short answer

Yes, Second-hand watches are taxable products under the HBJOAT tax, provided that you resell them as part of your professional activity.

Why are second-hand watches taxable?

Watches and horological items are among the products covered by the HBJOAT tax (the "H" in HBJOAT stands for Horology). Whether the product is new or used does not change its tax liability. Second-hand goods are taxed under the same conditions as new goods..

Concrete example

You buy a used watch for €500 and resell it for €800. The HBJOAT tax is calculated on your selling price excluding VAT, that is: 800 × 0.19 % = 1,52 € of tax to be paid to Francéclat.

Main or secondary activity?

If buying and reselling watches is your main activity, You are fully subject to the HBJOAT tax. If it is a secondary activity alongside another non-HBJOAT activity, the tax still applies to the HBJOAT portion of your turnover.

Steps to follow

Sign up on teletax.fr to declare your turnover from the resale of second-hand watches and to proceed with the payment of the tax.