Buying watches abroad

[CMS - SW]

Hi all

i am taking a trip to Dubai soon and may look to get myself a Rolex whilst out there. Does anyone have experience in buying watches abroad and bringing them back to the UK with them?

Especially for import tax etc.

Many thanks in advance!

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by CMS - SW

Hi all

i am taking a trip to Dubai soon and may look to get myself a Rolex whilst out there. Does anyone have experience in buying watches abroad and bringing them back to the UK with them?

Especially for import tax etc.

Many thanks in advance!

VAT when entering the UK by law.
Forget watches and enjoy the sights of Dubai

[CMS - SW]

Yes i will do, thanks very much :)

[joli160]

Not worth it, EU only

[WatchLurv]

You pay 5% VAT in Dubai. You get around ~4.X% back. Not worth it. Prices in Dubai are generally higher too than the rest of the world.

[Backin]

Coming back from the Caribbean at Christmas I was told UK Customs add 4.5% customs duty then add 20% vat. It’s not worth trying to smuggle it into the country as they can charge you double the duty and vat as a penalty. Also, your insurance company might not cover any losses if you haven’t legally bought into the country.

[seasubmariner]

Originally Posted by CMS - SW

Hi all

i am taking a trip to Dubai soon and may look to get myself a Rolex whilst out there. Does anyone have experience in buying watches abroad and bringing them back to the UK with them?

Especially for import tax etc.

Many thanks in advance!

If you can get it even a bit cheaper than in local AD I dont see why not to buy from dubai. Just make sure to take your time and check the watch with magnifier.

In 2011 I had a chance to check a sub c at the ad inside the dubai airport. The sales advisor told me that there was no taxback. The price was also higher than in US, so I ended up buying the same watch from US and saved about 1K that time.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by seasubmariner

If you can get it even a bit cheaper than in local AD I dont see why not to buy from dubai. Just make sure to take your time and check the watch with magnifier.

In 2011 I had a chance to check a sub c at the ad inside the dubai airport. The sales advisor told me that there was no taxback. The price was also higher than in US, so I ended up buying the same watch from US and saved about 1K that time.

Until you get stopped at customs, in the NL that would mean to pay 21% VAT + another 6% import duties and a massive fine for not declaring.
It's not worth it

[CMS - SW]

Thanks for all the info, really helpful.

Overall it doesn’t seem worth it unless there is a really good deal, but even then I will obviously have to be very careful.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by seasubmariner

If you can get it even a bit cheaper than in local AD I dont see why not to buy from dubai. Just make sure to take your time and check the watch with magnifier.

In 2011 I had a chance to check a sub c at the ad inside the dubai airport. The sales advisor told me that there was no taxback. The price was also higher than in US, so I ended up buying the same watch from US and saved about 1K that time.

It won’t be cheaper.