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Here’s how you can get a Rimowa suitcase for nearly half the U.S. price

a silver suitcase on a carpet

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Rimowas are sexy, sleek, and iconic. They’re also mega $$$$

While the price is high…You pay for what you get. Quality, durability, and an unmistakable design. Rimowas are arguably the very best suitcases in production, and also one of the most expensive. The typical Rimowa is made out of aluminum, and while minor improvements have been made, the aesthetic hasn’t changed much since the company had a massive fire in 1930 and all that was to make suitcases with was…Aluminum.

I have had my eye on one for quite some time. But…they’re just so darn expensive. Then Christmas came and my absolutely incredible girlfriend got me one as a present. I know…how lucky am I?! However…I’m obsessed with a deal, and as I was salivating over it, opening the locks and smelling that new suitcase smell ( that’s a thing, right?) it dawned on me. We’re going to Europe soon.

Immediately I asked her where she got it. “Bloomingdale’s” I googled the price

My Rimowa Original Cabin Plus rang in at $1250 + tax. OUCH!

I could not accept it. She insisted, and I said…well, let’s just see how much they cost in Europe. We are headed there over New Year’s after all…

a silver suitcase with wheels

Here’s the price on Koffer24…look better?

This is the price all around Europe. In fact, you even get the duty back on it. Do note…Koffer won’t ship Rimowa to the States, but if you know someone in Europe, ship it to them and have it on your arrival.

a screenshot of a product

Our first stop on our European jaunt was Rome.

As luck would have it, on our way back from touring the Vatican…we stumbled upon a Rimowa store. There is was: My Original Cabin Plus at a major discount…800 Euros.

They even delivered it to the hotel ( free of charge ), and when we got back to our room at the St Regis Rome…it was there.

a white bag with a tag on it

What’s even better? They give you paperwork to receive the VAT back. How much in Italy? 22% – That 800 just dropped to under $800. The U.S. price was $1250 + ( 9.5% tax ) = $1369. Almost $600 savings or 42% off!

  • 800 Euros less 22% is 655 Euros
  • You only get 105 Euros back so the final price is 695Euros
  • Net price $792.3

a receipt with numbers and letters

What’s even better than better? No duty. The $793 is under the $800 that you’re allowed to bring into the States every 31 days Duty Exempt. Miles, come quick…we need to high five!

I absolutely love my Rimowa Original Cabin Plus.

That ~ $600 savings is huge and help offset a large part of our St Regis stay.

If you’re thinking of getting one or two even…I’d seriously consider buying ( and using it like I did ) in Europe.

Look at the Trunk Plus discount!

  • $1800 + 9.5% tax = $1971
  • 1300 Euro – 169 Euro refund = $1289 ( 1.14 exchange rate )
    • Note…you’d owe duty of 3% on the $489 or a little over $13.

You can go here to calculate your refund

 

 

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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13 Comments

  • Adam Douglas January 28, 2021

    I bought an Aleon aluminum case for $400 and saved even more. Seriously this is just a box to put your underwear in. Who are you trying to impress, the TSA gorillas? Rimowa is a ripoff now that it is owned by the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Tiffany luxury people. They moved production out of Germany to Slobovia and doubled the price in the hope that making you pay more will also make you think it’s a luxury brand. Their chairman is some millennial 20-something, the silver-spoon son of some billionaire, so nepotism there. Honestly the thought of putting more money into this rich kid’s pockets makes me sick. There are so many other aluminum luggage brands out there now. Try one and spend the money you save on an upgrade to business class.

  • GetYourFactsRight October 19, 2019

    No, you did not buy the Original Cabin Plus size. What you have gotten is just the Original Cabin

    • Miles October 19, 2019

      except that it is an original cabin plus so….

      • TT October 19, 2021

        The picture you have is a Cabin. You can tell by counting the number of the vertical stripes in the aluminum. The Cabin Plus has several more. They are spaced the same on all the luggage so you can just count them to see the size of the luggage.

        • DG March 10, 2022

          You are right! Good catch..

  • Stephen Brint March 7, 2019

    More pleasures in life? It’s top of the German products like Mercedes and BMW.

  • Ken March 6, 2019

    That smell is glue.

  • Chico March 6, 2019

    I like most of your posts but really when it comes down to it, it is just a suitcase. There are way more pleasures in life than suitcases.

  • Stephen Brint March 6, 2019

    I buy mine slightly used on eBay, they come with the patina and dings you’re going to get anyway. You don’t have to cry over your first ding or scratch

  • Rupert March 5, 2019

    It’s a great luggage and always better to buy in Europe.
    If you are not planning to check it, I’d get the new Rimowa Essential lite – many European airlines weigh carry-on and the polycarbonate saves you a few pounds over the aluminum. Make sure to get the latest model, weighs 30% less than the old…
    And there are International and US size carry-on that fit the standard measurements…

  • van March 5, 2019

    Only problem i have with Rimowa is that they dont have something that fits the now ‘standard’ US sizer,

  • henry LAX March 5, 2019

    u can save EVEN more than that if you’re willing to buy the lufthansa co-branded one, only available at Duty Free at FRA and MUC.

    it’s quite an interesting (long-running) arbitrage where the pricing actually undercuts the original one.

  • Harry March 5, 2019

    You are right it looks great and the small Rimowa I have [also a gift] is great but I could honestly never justify spending that amount on a valise. I prefer to get the almost weightless bags and throw them out every now and again. Taking the small carry on into Business or First is good though!

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