Hi everyone,

If I buy a watch from Canada and get it delivered to a friend in the US, does anyone know what if any import duties / taxes will be assessed? How does it work ? Will the shipping company show up with the package and ask for payment on the spot, will my friend have to go pick up the package somewhere? How much of a pain would it be for the friend?

Thanks and best regards,
S

 

Depends on many factors, such as case material, number of jewels, chronograph or not, country of origin, overall value, and carrier used.

I've seen people post a duty calculator here before, but I don't have the link for it, so maybe someone can post that if they have it.

Cheers, Al

 

In my experience, it's fairly easy and painless to send a watch into the US from Canada. they seem a little lax on collecting anything and taxes are quite low (compared to coming into Canada anyway). Get the seller to send via Canada Post Express. should arrive in a few days. If the value is less than a few thousand, I imagine there won't be anything to pay upon receipt... YMMV of course. If they do assess and charge, it will be due upon delivery. I wouldn't expect that the person receiving would need to go to collect it (assuming they're available when the delivery is made).

 

Received a >$1000 watch via Canada Post with no issues at all.

 

Thanks gents, value would be way under 1000 US.
The key question is whether there's any chance my friend would have to go somewhere to collect a packet.
That's something I cannot ask for.
Can USPS reschedule a delivery on request if someone's not around on the first attempt?

Another question, if duties are assessed through FedEx or such, can that ever come close to the 20% VAT assessed in Europe? An item worth 400-500 euros will be taxed about 100 euros upon entry.

 

If it is through USPS, it will go to a mailbox just like any regular mail. If it requires signature confirmation, and your friend isn't home, a note is left to schedule a redelivery or the option of local post office pick up.

 

USPS is the key. I live in Canada but ship to US a lot of things as it is cheaper this way (and pickup across the border). I shipped guitars to US from Japan that were over $1K and no duties or taxes of any sort. If you go with UPS or FedEx, good luck. They killed me once with all the crap fees and such.

 

If your friend can't go pick something up, I don't recommend USPS - they often make one attempt maximum to deliver a package, then you'll have to go wait in line. With FedEx or UPS, they'll usually give you two or three attempts before you have to pick it up. On an item with a low value, I doubt they'll charge duty either.

Since it's an international shipment and will require a signature, I'd recommend having it delivered to your friend's place of work, where someone will be available during the day to sign.

 

From Fedex ... They bill you via snail mail.

 

Thanks gents, all of that is quite helpful, much appreciated !

 

I'll be surprised if you pay any duty at all, but it is more likely with FedEx/UPS than Canada post. USPS, in my area ar least, will make more than one delivery attempt.

I've only been charged duty only once in dozens of transactions that were properly declared. And even then it was only a couple of hundred on a watch declared at more than few thousand.

 

You should read the question again...

 

That's really good duty calculator:
http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

And as @Larry S mentioned if the seller uses national carrier ( preferably EMS ) the package will be handled by USPS and there is a big chance that you will not be hit by custom fees.

 

Honestly if I'm buying or selling a high priced watch, FedEx is my shipper of choice. Better controls, visibility and frankly reliability. I'll happily take the hit on import duty. Plus if there is a problem in customs they handle it. (especially if you are set up in their system). While I respect USPS and their brethren ... I don't completely trust them.