I went through this recently, so it's still fresh in my mind. Here's a summary:
For a declared value of less than $800 (usd), there is no import duty.
Above $800:
Merchandise processing fee: ~0.3% of declared value; but there's a minimum of ~$30.
Import duty: ~$2 for the movement, ~10% of the bracelet value, ~4% of the case value.
Broker fee: about $10-$20 if you use DHL or Fedex.
Add all of that up, and that's about what they will ask from you. As mentioned above, you probably want realistic valuations for the bracelet and case, with the balance put on the movement.
Great info but unfortunately I got hit harder on import fees as of April 2024..
I bought a great condition Omega Polaris Chrono. Not even titanium. It's SS and the movement is a quartz. I paid 900$ plus state taxes and shipping of 30$ from Japan to usa..
Well DHL made me pay 146$ in import fees. I thought that was very high!!!!!
Can't understand how they justified it. ... now I just ordered same which but titanium bracelet with 18kt gold. I am afraid to find out what that fee will cost!!
Great info but unfortunately I got hit harder on import fees as of April 2024..
I bought a great condition Omega Polaris Chrono. Not even titanium. It's SS and the movement is a quartz. I paid 900$ plus state taxes and shipping of 30$ from Japan to usa..
Well DHL made me pay 146$ in import fees. I thought that was very high!!!!!
Can't understand how they justified it. ... now I just ordered same which but titanium bracelet with 18kt gold. I am afraid to find out what that fee will cost!!
Be grateful you’re not in the UK - imports from Japan (and most places actually) will have 20% VAT added for watches. Had to factor that in when buying my Rising Sun, but it was still more than worth it.
Be grateful you’re not in the UK - imports from Japan (and most places actually) will have 20% VAT added for watches. Had to factor that in when buying my Rising Sun, but it was still more than worth it.
Or Canada. Up to 22% depending on item(s) and province, excluding brokerage fees that can range from reasonable to outlandish.
Can make "trying out" a watch imported from anywhere a miserable proposition, especially via UPS or FedEx.
Recently paid CAD 47.00 in duties on a fairly basic fitted rubber strap.
I just factor it into any purchase.
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much!
This has been an incredible amount of information. Certainly, a potentially significant economic factor when looking at your 'import' options. It's a sleeper that could smack you in the head hard if you didn't know.
But overall, in my short time here, this has been a wonderful forum.
On another note: I'll be tilting a glass in my freezer later tonight. Cheers!
