Buying a watch from outside the US can be tricky. First, there is an import tax on a watch whether it is new or used. It makes no difference. The amount of the tax is based on the value of the watch. The import tax on a watch is complicated. At the risk of over-simplifying, there are values on the strap/bracelet, the case, and the movement. There are differing rates on the case and bracelet depending on the metal. Precious metals are more than steel. There are differing rates on the movement depending on the number of jewels. I think it maxes out at 17 jewels. The average total rate that I have paid on the 10 or so watches that I have imported over the years has run between 1% and 2% of the value of the watch.
But, don't let that scare you. Most of the major carriers...Fedex, UPS, and DHL...will work out the amount of the customs tax and make you pay it before they will deliver the watch.
This last week I received a watch that I bought from a dealer in Germany. He shipped the watch via DHL. He did not include the appropriate breakdown of the watch...strap/case/movement. DHL in Cinncinati (port of entry) contacted me seeking the information. I called them back and gave them the info about the values. It took them about a day to process that info and directed me to their webpage where I paid the $71.01 import tax with a credit card on my $7k watch. From start to finish it took about 11 days for me to receive the watch. I wired the funds on 1/25 and the watch arrived 2/5.
It's a little scary the first time you import a watch, but after that it's really not a big deal.
The Aussie dollar is at about 78¢ US. Or to say that another way $1 AUD = $1.28 US
The one big CAVEAT is that if the watch is on a croc or alligator strap, be sure to get the seller to ship the watch and the strap separately. Alligator and croc straps must have a CITES certificate to be legally imported. Having a watch come to customs on an alligator strap without that CITES tag will really complicate importing the watch. What can happen is that the Customs agent will cut the strap off the watch and send the watch on. You run the risk of losing the tang buckle or deployant clasp when that happens. Most of the dealers that I have dealt with are aware of this problem and will do what they can to help. For example, the watch I mentioned earlier was on an alligator strap. The dealer took the alligator strap off the watch and installed your basic cheap leather strap before shipping the watch. The alligator strap is being sent separately. If that OEM alligator strap never shows up, it won't bother me a bit. I've already installed a strap that I like better.
So, if you find a watch that you really like, but will have to import, go for it.
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