Make sense to buy abroad?

Starman71 · Mar 5, 2018

I am traveling abroad, and noticed there is a boutique nearby. If I should happen to find a hard to find watch there, does it make sense to make a purchase abroad considering I would probably have to pay import duties to the US? I don't know what those duties would be exactly. Better to wait and buy when I'm back stateside?

Looneytoons · Mar 5, 2018

It depends. Here is the link to CBP which explains the exemptions and duty rates for personal items purchased outside the US.
Depending on where you travel to and how much you spend vs what you save, it might make sense to buy overseas, declare and pay the duty.
If you live in a high sales tax state like I do (California) that might also affect your decision.

Taddyangle · Mar 5, 2018

I guess depends on where. No deals where I am, as prices seem much higher, could be due to exchange rate, just not sure.

This is a pic at OB in Beijing. There are literally 6-8 in a 5-8 mile radius and there selection of Speedmasters is poor at best.

Starman71 · Mar 5, 2018

Thanks, I think I will go check it out... with low expectations.

Foo2rama · Mar 6, 2018

Prove you bought it there lol. I travel with 2 watches at least.

bonerp · Mar 6, 2018

I'm not sure I'd declare a purchase from overseas. At worst post the paperwork back to yourself or hide in another bag!

mikechi22 · Mar 6, 2018

I wouldn’t be terribly conscientious about declaring on arrival. It’s not like you’re bringing in 20 for resale. The only trouble I see for you is that the dollar is so weak right now, you’re going to get spanked on the exchange rate. I was just in Macau - can’t say by exactly how many dollars an Omega went up due to new conversion, but an Aquaterra seemed to be about $700 USD more pricey than what I had seen in the OB in Bangkok back in August.

ICONO · Mar 6, 2018

Depends on where you are visiting ?…And what you are seeking ?

I bought a new Tudor 79350 Chrono last year, from a specialist boutique in Barcelona

I got a discount of over a 1,000 Euros on the list price, …for the first one in Spain, at the time
…( entirely spur of the moment purchase, & negotiated by text message, from a private Beach )

Breizhoneg! · Mar 6, 2018

Think it's complicated to make good deal cause of the customs fee, at way back.
But think in duty free watch shop un Big Airport, can make some good deals!

M'Bob · Mar 6, 2018

I dunno...bought this one for $50, and one hour. Didn't turn out so well...

jetkins · Mar 6, 2018

In the right circumstances, absolutely! I bought my SMP from an OB in Australia about three years ago. At the time, the Aussie dollar had taken a bit of a tumble but the Australian prices had not yet been adjusted, so I got more bang for my US buck right from the start. I then got to claim the GST (sales tax) back when I took the watch out of the country thanks to the Tourist Refund Scheme, and finally, I declared it upon reentry to the USA but was simply waved through Customs without having to pay a penny. All up, I saved almost $1500 over what I would have paid at an AD here in Texas.

jetkins · Mar 6, 2018

Looneytoons
It depends. Here is the link to CBP which explains the exemptions and duty rates for personal items purchased outside the US.
Depending on where you travel to and how much you spend vs what you save, it might make sense to buy overseas, declare and pay the duty.

There's what you're liable to pay, and then there's what you actually pay. My wife and I always bring back a chunk of stuff from our trips Down Under - usually a bunch of wine that you can't buy anywhere else, but including the aforementioned SMP. We always declare every last item, sometimes even needing a second declaration form to complete the list, and we have never been asked to pay a single penny of tax or duty. The only time we had to do anything other than hand over our declaration form and get waved through, was when the USDA folks wanted to examine a package of frozen kangaroo meat that we had picked up at the airport in Melbourne.

So my advice from personal experience would be that if it would be a wash after factoring in the potential US import duty, then go ahead anyway, because the chances are you won't have to pay it.

Vercingetorix · Mar 6, 2018

Just have the boutique ship it to a boutique at home.

Make sense to buy abroad?

Starman71

Looneytoons

Taddyangle

Starman71

Foo2rama

bonerp

mikechi22

ICONO

Breizhoneg!

M'Bob

jetkins

jetkins

Vercingetorix

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