Shipping a Rolex to NY from Europe

[Leo100200]

Hi all
How are you?

I have a AD who can ship out a watch to me but I don’t know how it works with customs, duties and local taxes

Any insight would be great and if there are way to avoid those that would be even better


Thank you

[2nastie]

There is no way to avoid taxes, duties, etc. If it's not from your country of origin you will have to pay for it.

You can choose/risk not declaring when you pick it up in person and then fly back. Again that it is up to you to declare.

Any shipment from another country will result in the above especially via an AD as the full price/value will be declared on the shipment.

As for the amount, it's usually your usual state tax plus a percentage on the value of item as duties. No real science behind it.

[BillA]

It’s not worth the risk, buy it in the USA

[fskywalker]

Some companies in my experience always charge tax while others don’t. As said above all depends on how your state would manage the inbound.


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[Leo100200]

Any idea what the % of duties is?

[ArtNouveau]

I have bought a half dozen or so watches from overseas over the years. All of them were shipped with the proper paperwork and declared value and I was never chaged any duties on any of them. It’s very random and is much the same if you carry it in yourself and declare it. If you are charged I think it’s roughly 4% above your allowed limit of around $1000.
Taxes will vary from state to state. No one will ever seek you out in my state, I would guess they might in NY.

[mltworldwide]

Yes I have had many watches I purchased from outside the US. The only time I had to pay import duties was from the state of Illinois. They sent me a bill about 2 years after I received the watch. Somehow they received the info from Fedex.

[turborolex]

Originally Posted by Leo100200

Any idea what the % of duties is?

It’s not that difficult to bring a timepiece in the USA.

You have to pay taxes on the:
1. Movement
2. Case
3. Bracelet

I highly recommend that the AD put the full and actually value of the watch.

Do a quick google search and you’ll see how to beak it down on the customs form when you have to fill through DHL or whatever company is going to be your agent.

Ask the oversees dealer to tell you the breakdown if they will pre fill the customs form as IT WILL have a MASSIVE impact on the taxes you will pay.

Do not have them ship it until they disclose the breakdown.

If they are not experienced and fill the customs form wrong, you will have to appeal and it’s a pain.

BTW, anyone can fill the form, it’s ridiculously easy. Also, the form says “clock” on it....that’s the correct form.

One more thing...state taxes are not a factor and the form you will fill has nothing to with sales tax.


I’ve done this many times and have had no problems.


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[Leo100200]

So I’ll get charged sales tax?
But I will for sure look up more on Google and also ask the shipping company.


Thank you for the very informative reply

[turborolex]

Originally Posted by Leo100200

So I’ll get charged sales tax?
But I will for sure look up more on Google and also ask the shipping company.


Thank you for the very informative reply

No sales tax when you receive your DHL or FedEx package. They do not collect state sales tax, only US customs fees.


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[inadeje]

I have received a watch in Florida from Europe. The invoice amount was 12k USD, the shipper was DHL. When the package arrived in US DHL international center I received a call, I was told that the watches value resulted in a $304 import and state tax. I paid the amount over the phone. The watch arrived the next day.

[Leo100200]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I have received a watch in Florida from Europe. The invoice amount was 12k USD, the shipper was DHL. When the package arrived in US DHL international center I received a call, I was told that the watches value resulted in a $304 import and state tax. I paid the amount over the phone. The watch arrived the next day.

What year was that in?

[joli160]

You guys in the US are so lucky with the low import taxes.

If I buy in the US and have it sent to EU it will cost me close to 30% (VAT and duties)

[GenevaFan]

In Canada you pay Import tax which on jewellery is i believe now 21% from certain countries where jewellery is produced such as Switzerland and then GST 5% and then your Provincial Tax which where i reside is 10%. HUGE

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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Leo100200

Hi all
How are you?

I have a AD who can ship out a watch to me but I don’t know how it works with customs, duties and local taxes

Any insight would be great and if there are way to avoid those that would be even better


Thank you

You would not be asking how to commit a Federal crime now would you?

The AD/Courier will handle all of the paperwork for US Customs clearance. Any duty owed will need to be paid prior to delivery.

[MrChamfers]

Have the tax/duty policies for importing a watch from Europe to the US since this thread?
The seller is invoicing for a certain amount, with nothing listed as tax.

I understand I will be charged customs duty when it gets here as above:
You have to pay duty on the:
1. Movement
2. Case
3. Bracelet
Is there some other tax that can get charged beyond the duty fees?

TIA!

[Calatrava r]

Every watch I have bought from overseas I have had to pay duty on. They were all FedEx, and the customs office was right there at FedEx.

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Every watch I have bought from overseas I have had to pay duty on. They were all FedEx, and the customs office was right there at FedEx.

But no surprise sales tax from federal or state ?


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[CFR]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

But no surprise sales tax from federal or state ?

Yes, there's a Use Tax in about 45 of the 50 US states. US Customs shares import information with many state taxing authorities. If you don't pay the Use Tax on an imported item, your state taxing authority can come after you years later (in my case, 4 years later) to collect the Use Tax and handsome penalties.

[cts]

Buy vintage. Original price was less than 1k so you save some money, even if the current market value is much higher…