Advice on 116710LN

[[email protected]]

Dear Rolex experts,

I've been offered a 116710LN from 2008 in what seems to be great condition, with box & guarantee card, at just under 9K (Euro). Picture attached.

The caveat: Seller is a private person, we're both in the EU, licence code is out of EU (Swiss). No invoice and no custom papers available, supposedly it was a present and imported from Switzerland without paying EU customs and taxes.

What do you guys think? It's an old model and not produced any more, so it might not be noticed at airports, right? On the other hand, what would happen if I'm asked to show proper custom papers? Hmmm...

I'm open to all advice and shared experiences!

[Swiss Mad!]

I would suggest contacting your country’s government tax office in advance and get their advice.

It’s not worth losing the watch at customs for the sake of a few quid.

You might be surprised by what they tell you.

I think the UK import duty is around 4% there shouldn’t be any VAT to pay if it’s a private sale & technically second hand or used.

However I’m not an expert - seek advice from those that are.

Good luck




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[HogwldFLTR]

Not quite certain why anyone would care if it's on your wrist.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Not quite certain why anyone would care if it's on your wrist.

That's a major difference between the US customs and EU customs.
The ones in the US are looking for serious contraband.
In the EU they are mere tax collectors, they even fine you for a bottle of alcohol or some cigarettes above the allowance.
One is allowed to bring 430 Euro of goods. Anything above is due for 21% VAT and 6% import duties. Burden of proof is on the traveller.

For EU residents it makes no sense to purchase any expensive items outside of the EU.

Guess somebody has to pay for politicians hobbies.

Buyer should draw up a bill of sale with clear identity of seller and himself and he will be just fine it being a transaction between two private persons.

I know it sounds ridiculous but unfortunately it is true.
We had a TV show about Schiphol airport customs, some people got the surprise of their life.
A famous soccer star (Rummenigge) was caught in Munich airport not declaring two Rolex watches and ended up with a fine of 250.000 Euro. Quite a hot story in the press at the time.

[Number3]

Is it in Switzerland now? They’re not in the EU but are members of EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) so I don’t think duties apply.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Dear Rolex experts,

I've been offered a 116710LN from 2008 in what seems to be great condition, with box & guarantee card, at just under 9K (Euro). Picture attached.

The caveat: Seller is a private person, we're both in the EU, licence code is out of EU (Swiss). No invoice and no custom papers available, supposedly it was a present and imported from Switzerland without paying EU customs and taxes.

What do you guys think? It's an old model and not produced any more, so it might not be noticed at airports, right? On the other hand, what would happen if I'm asked to show proper custom papers? Hmmm...

I'm open to all advice and shared experiences!

I don't think you have much to worry about.......but you obviously are concerned so why put yourself through this? There are plenty of GMTs for sale so just pick an EU based dealer you trust and buy from them.....it might cost you a few more euros but will give you peace of mind.

[GLADIATOR]

Put the watch on your wrist and wear it - NO issue at all
Post the box and papers back

[limalima]

Did you purchase the watch???

[Leopard88]

I dont think you guys got his point. Hes not going to import it from Switzerland, the watch already is in EU so there is no issue at all unless you want to travel with the whole set box and papers (that might raise customs suspicion) but no one does that, apart from fresh purchases. So as long as its on your wrist youre fine