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Shipping from Europe to US...Duties?

HoustonHorn
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Occasional visitor, new member, first time poster. I really enjoy this forum.

I'm in the US and have received numerous watches/straps from Europe and never been charged fees through the USPS. Typically the customs declaration is stated to be a gift for some smaller amount to prevent drawing unwanted attention to the package. I've never actually specified this from international sellers, it just seems to be how items are typically sent.

Somewhat related side question re: shipping. If there is an issue with a package being lost in transit, what is the proper protocol for seller and buyer?

For instance, if I buy a $500 watch and it goes missing in transit, am I out the $500, does the seller refund the full $500, or do the parties split the loss evenly or at some other agreed percentage? This is a less a technical/legal question and more of a what is the right way to approach this situation.

I've bought probably 40 watches and straps, many from Europe and this issue has never occurred; however, it is always a possibility and I don't really know the protocol.

Thanks!
 
BlackTalon
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HoustonHorn HoustonHorn
Somewhat related side question re: shipping. If there is an issue with a package being lost in transit, what is the proper protocol for seller and buyer?

For instance, if I buy a $500 watch and it goes missing in transit, am I out the $500, does the seller refund the full $500, or do the parties split the loss evenly or at some other agreed percentage? This is a less a technical/legal question and more of a what is the right way to approach this situation.
Depends -- what did you and the seller work out in advance in case this happens? Also, that is why insurance is critical -- the seller refunds you the purchase price, and they recoup (eventually) from the insurance.
 
HoustonHorn
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Currently in negotiations and trying to determine what is a fair way to handle splitting that risk. I agree that insurance is optimal, but for lower dollar items it is relatively cost prohibitive especially for low volume private sellers.

If the seller is comfortable with disclosing additional information I will start a new post so this one doesn't get derailed. However, I don't want to get into additional specifics until I am know they are comfortable making details of a private transaction public.
 
kippyk
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HoustonHorn HoustonHorn
Currently in negotiations and trying to determine what is a fair way to handle splitting that risk. I agree that insurance is optimal, but for lower dollar items it is relatively cost prohibitive especially for low volume private sellers.

If the seller is comfortable with disclosing additional information I will start a new post so this one doesn't get derailed. However, I don't want to get into additional specifics until I am know they are comfortable making details of a private transaction public.

I think buyer assumes all risk. You pay for insurance if you want to be covered. Insurance is a waste of money over a lifetime so I personally would roll the dice. Life is a risk.
 
fly4food
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I bought SM300 watchco for $3300 USD, shipped from Switzerland with DHL, US Customs duty was about $169 USD
 
kippyk
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fly4food fly4food
I bought SM300 watchco for $3300 USD, shipped from Switzerland with DHL, US Customs duty was about $169 USD

Thanks for the value. It is confusing to figure out what the duty will be on a watch. I believe that the first $800 is free and then the duty is about 6.5% for the rest of the value.
 
BlackTalon
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it isn't that simple according to the Customs tables. There are different percentages for the case, bracelet and movement, with many variations on each of those three parts.
 
JackDaniels83
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HoustonHorn HoustonHorn
Occasional visitor, new member, first time poster. I really enjoy this forum.

I'm in the US and have received numerous watches/straps from Europe and never been charged fees through the USPS. Typically the customs declaration is stated to be a gift for some smaller amount to prevent drawing unwanted attention to the package. I've never actually specified this from international sellers, it just seems to be how items are typically sent.

Somewhat related side question re: shipping. If there is an issue with a package being lost in transit, what is the proper protocol for seller and buyer?

For instance, if I buy a $500 watch and it goes missing in transit, am I out the $500, does the seller refund the full $500, or do the parties split the loss evenly or at some other agreed percentage? This is a less a technical/legal question and more of a what is the right way to approach this situation.

I've bought probably 40 watches and straps, many from Europe and this issue has never occurred; however, it is always a possibility and I don't really know the protocol.

Thanks!

If I sell something. I clearly state, that the standard shipping method is tracked without insurance, because the tracking is needed to meet PayPal standards. Everything else is up to the buyer. When no insurance is paid, damage and loss during transit is no longer the problem of the seller. Insurance does not have to be expensive, it depends on the service partner. The "Deutsche Post" for example ships small items up to 0.5gk to all over the world for just 6,20€ tracked. Insurance can be obtained for only 2€ for each 100€ of value. That makes 16,20€ for a watch that is worth 500€. For comparison DHL would charge you 36,99€ for the same service.
 
kopykat
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You are always obligated to pay tax when importing a watch from/to EU countries. Writing a lower value on the package would be a crime.
 
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