Prices ex-VAT at Heathrow are often higher than full price at a US AD due to the strength of the pound. Try a US AD and see if you can get the customary 15-20% discount
Don’t know when you looked at the dollar/pound trading rate, but the pound is far from strong at the moment due to Brexit. I’m not saying you can’t get a better deal in the US, but don’t assume you will. I bought a Seamaster 300 MC at Heathrow in April when the pound was even weaker than it was today (and before the UK adjusted prices up) for around $4500, which was significantly cheaper than any quote I got in the US for a new watch with full warranty.
Week before Christmas, when you'd expect them to be pushing deals. This was at the Watches of Switzerland in T5, A gates. Some brands cost as much in pounds as they do in dollars in the US (i.e. 6000 pounds vs 6000 dollars), others not much less. After VAT would have been removed, it was still significantly more expensive than buying full price in the US.
Meanwhile, the very next week, Feldmar Watch in Los Angeles was offering 15-20% off all models right off the bat if you were serious. And they had a far better selection!
Week before Christmas, when you'd expect them to be pushing deals. This was at the Watches of Switzerland in T5, A gates. Some brands cost as much in pounds as they do in dollars in the US (i.e. 6000 pounds vs 6000 dollars), others not much less. After VAT would have been removed, it was still significantly more expensive than buying full price in the US.
Meanwhile, the very next week, Feldmar Watch in Los Angeles was offering 15-20% off all models right off the bat if you were serious. And they had a far better selection!
I don’t know what the answer to the OP’s question is but how would you get caught? Even if you have all the boxes etc in case how would they know where you’ve bought from?
Could’ve had it years and taking the box abroad with you....
Odds are, you wouldn’t be caught. But if you are, the fines can often exceed any potential savings, and could be as high as the value of the watch. It’s up to you if you want to take the gamble or not.
There are no fines for trying to bring items into the UK without declaring them. Unless they are illegal of course.
If you get caught you either pay the duty (20% in this case), or you go home and say goodbye to your watch.
You are given a twenty eight day period to decide whether you want to pay the duty owed or not.
Here in the UK if you walk into a bank with £5000 or more they want to know where it came from.
I also know that credit card purchases of the same value and upwards have additional filtering on them.
Is it beyond fantasy to have purchases at the airport checked against passenger flight data and customs and excise officers waiting for you once you’ve made the decision to exit via the “nothing to declare” channel.
If this is the case why would anyone declare anything? Surely you would just chance it every time and if you get caught just pay what you would’ve paid anyway...
If this is the case why would anyone declare anything? Surely you would just chance it every time and if you get caught just pay what you would’ve paid anyway...
