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Import duty from US to UK and Europe

Mathlar
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+1 on the recommendation for TransferWise. They are one of the UK's hottest technology startups right now. I used them to make a payment to Kringkily last week. I ordered it on Sunday night and he received the money first thing Wednesday US time, paying only the market exchange rate and a small fee.

Davidt Davidt3449
Ah, righty o. The company i used was 'TransferWise'.

When looking at my speedy i did a quick currency conversion on google to see what it would cost in £GBP. After I agreed to buy the watch I went to transfer the money using my British bank and the amount they quoted was around £160 more than I expected. Turns out (I guess most of you already know this) major banks claim they don't charge you a fee but make their money by giving you a @$!: exchange rate. I did a quick search and found this company. They do charge a small fee (I think about £25) but offer the real exchange rate. I used them and saved about £130. As I said, it cleared quicker than my bank would have done as well.

Btw, obviously I'm not affiliated with this company or anything, just seems like they're a good way to avoid ridiculous bank rates!
 
R
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Guys, I love my watches, but love finding a bargain in the US.. does anyone know is VAT is chargeable on used goods? If I buy a used watch for £3,000 will I need pay 20% vat?
 
SpikiSpikester
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Yes, there is import duty too. Some people have ways round it, but the starting point is that it is legally due & anything you do to avoid it is a dodge that you undertake at your own risk.
 
devnull
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As far a shipping without insurance, here is some anecdotal evidence for you guys to ponder on... I belong to another forum where we buy/sell/trade a lot of precious metals, and a lot of those trades are done via flat rate priority mail without insurance. Why? Because the USPS will not pay an insurance claim for precious metals unless they are sent via registered mail (VERY expensive) and UPS will not let you ship precious metals at all unless you are a dealer or other commercial entity. I have sent and received quite a few multi-thousand dollar packages on just a flat rate priority mail box.
 
Hijak
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devnull devnull
I have sent and received quite a few multi-thousand dollar packages on just a flat rate priority mail box.

As I'm sure many here have...but I'll hazard a guess that advertising this on an open Internet forum is not wise.😒 Wonder how many trolls have read your post so far?
 
OmegaSean
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You can always ask a member who's coming to the UK from said country and meet up once they are in the UK, it appears to me that OF members are globe trotters 😀

OmegaSean
 
John R Smith
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R royalstorags
Guys, I love my watches, but love finding a bargain in the US.. does anyone know is VAT is chargeable on used goods? If I buy a used watch for £3,000 will I need pay 20% vat?

On import from the US to the UK, you pay VAT and Import Duty on the total cost including shipping, by the way. Which seems very unfair to me. And personally, I don't think it is worth trying to get around it, because if the value is written down by the sender and it goes missing then you are in big trouble. So I am afraid you do not (or very rarely) "find a bargain in the US" - but what you do get is choice, above and beyond anything available in the UK.
 
A
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Just TRIED to get a pair of straps out of german custom, might be helpful for the community.
The basic story: I ordered a pair of vintage lizzard straps (unused) for my 1954 Longines in the US. They were shipped without any kind of certificate.
Wanted to pick it up today, but couldn't... since it is Lizzard, it could be a protected Species, so according to the customs officer
I need a clearance from the Minstry for Enviorment and Natur protection for the straps... Called at the Ministry later and they told me that the customs has to open the packet, take pics and send these to an expert (they're supposed to have a list of corresponding Experts in each customs office). The expert has to decide if its a protected species or not. If not I can pick it up. If yes I need above mentioned clearance.
(have not inquired abt. the cost of expert consultation or minstry clearance by now... will keep you updated)...

Since I was there anyways, I asked the guy abt customs regulations for importing watches from outside EU.

-Generally watches are some of the rare items which only have a fixed tax per piece, regardless of the actual value of the watch and is 0,80€.
(sry. not precise: its 4. something percent but max. 0,80€ per watch)

-for each country the VAT is added

-if Watch comes without Papers and price seems to low, or there is a doubt if the watch is genuine, you need a certificate from the Watchcompany or an authorized dealer

-if the watch has Tritium hands or dial additionally you need a clearance from the federal office for radiation protection...

-If it is a vintage watch with an alligator or Lizzard strap you will have to go through the above mentioned procedure if there is no certificate along that meets the standards of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

As a polite person if have to excuse me for saying: W.T.F.???!!!
 
gatorcpa
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A Alex1974
They were shipped without any kind of certificate.
That's your main issue here. Even the auction houses will not ship straps internationally without a CITES certificate, which is almost impossible to get with used merchandise or from a private transaction. The auctioneers will just ship the head and throw away the band, even if original and rare. That's how strict the CITES convention is. Some of the older Omega bands were made from currently endangered species like elephant, which is a big no-no under that law.

The only way to purchase watchbands internationally is to buy new and direct from a manufacturer that knows how to fill out the paperwork correctly.

The EU seems to be far more picky than the USA on this. We can generally get it through, so long as the shipping method is a foreign post office or EMS that connects to USPS. However, in those cases, you have issues getting the proper insurance.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
Archer
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A Alex1974
As a polite person if have to excuse me for saying: W.T.F.???!!!

As the importer, it's your responsibility to know what the rules are for importing the goods you are bringing in to your country. It's the same all over the world.

Personally I have no problems with CITES regulations...I would rather there is a mechanism in place to make sure endangered species are not being made into watch straps, belts, and shoes...

Cheers, Al
 
Archer
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
The EU seems to be far more picky than the USA on this. We can generally get it through, so long as the shipping method is a foreign post office or EMS that connects to USPS. However, in those cases, you have issues getting the proper insurance.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

I recall a picture being posted on a forum a number of years ago (Purists maybe?). A large Swiss brand making very high end watches shipped a bunch on croc straps to the US without proper CITES paperwork, and all the straps were simply cut off with scissors near the lugs, and the watches were shipped on to the dealer. I believe it was by a courier, but can't recall for sure. That one always stuck in my mind when I see this issue being discussed....
 
A
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Archer Archer
As the importer, it's your responsibility to know what the rules are for importing the goods you are bringing in to your country. It's the same all over the world.

Personally I have no problems with CITES regulations...I would rather there is a mechanism in place to make sure endangered species are not being made into watch straps, belts, and shoes...

Cheers, Al

Sure, from that point of view i fully agree with your opinion on CITES. Was my mistake not to inquire before but learned from it.
I just never thought it would be such a problem with a 60 years old leather strap...
After all i will just leave the strap with customs to Do with it what ever they want to... I have no time or patience for days of paperwork for a 70$ watchband which i will probably Never get out of customs anyways 🙁
 
STANDY
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Send the occasional croc leather overseas and always include the certificates.
image.jpeg


As Al said up to a importer to know all state and federal laws before importation.
 
STANDY
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A Alex1974
Sure, from that point of view i fully agree with your opinion on CITES. Was my mistake not to inquire before but learned from it.
I just never thought it would be such a problem with a 60 years old leather strap...
After all i will just leave the strap with customs to Do with it what ever they want to... I have no time or patience for days of paperwork for a 70$ watchband which i will probably Never get out of customs anyways 🙁


One form to fill out.
Also if they are new or old and have a brand name. Just email the company for a letterhead saying the don't use endangered animals.

They will be burnt in a month or two if nothing done. Cites or fake stuff does not get sold at customs auctions..
 
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