Buying in the US

[scooba]

Firstly sorry if his has been asked already, We are visiting Las Vegas and Los Angeles this April.If I purchased a Rolex is there any tax incentives like tax free sales .

I realise I have to declare my Purchases at Customs on my return to the uk


Thank You

[MonBK]

Only if you have it shipped to the UK.

If you take possesion in LV you pay the tax.

[1911]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Only if you have it shipped to the UK.

If you take possesion in LV you pay the tax.

Don't they have the same system as ours i.e. pick up a refund of the tax at the airport

[MartinF79]

I've just been told by an AD dealer (as I just had a watch that I just recently purchased in the US authenticated), that because the watch is a US serial #, any time I come back to Canada, Customs could request a duty receipt (to prove that I paid duty on it). Apparently, Rolex is the first luxury brand (and others to follow) where they are trying to restrict watches from coming over w/o duty being paid.

Obvioulsy, no one will carry a duty receipt w/ them every time they travel for teh next 10 years, so in that case, customs will hold the watch until you show proof of duty, or pay the duty on the estimate value of the watch. This all seems like a very remote scenario, but apparently it is enforcable. Not sure what the rules ar ein the UK.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by 1911

Don't they have the same system as ours i.e. pick up a refund of the tax at the airport

Nope, we don't tack on a 30% tax on top of it like Europe. Just any state taxes (varies from 0-11% depending on state).

The tax savings that some talk about in the states is shipping a watch from a state to a state.

[Speed]

Usually best to buy in your home country...Unless you really want to be bothered with all the worry (if you are a worrier) about all the duty / tax issues.

[ChuckFinlay]

Originally Posted by mfer

Nope, we don't tack on a 30% tax on top of it like Europe. Just any state taxes (varies from 0-11% depending on state).

The tax savings that some talk about in the states is shipping a watch from a state to a state.

Price is the same in UK/USA, our price includes tax, USA plus tax...

[wantonebad]

I'm not advising you to brake any laws or to avoid fees/levies but one possibility would be to buy from a trusted US seller and have them deliver it to wherever you are staying. What you do with customs/taxes on the way home is your business.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by ChuckFinlay

Price is the same in UK/USA, our price includes tax, USA plus tax...

Yeah, I understand. "Your" watches are actually cheaper, just taxed to bring them up. In the US, we are same price, then tack on more tax. I'm surprised this is the way it is. Doesn't seem "fair".

[Watchdog]

On a side note, I would NEVER purchase a Rolex in Las Vegas. One of my favorite cities, and I love looking at the incredible selection. But don't buy there. The discounts are just not even in the ballpark.

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by MartinF79

I've just been told by an AD dealer (as I just had a watch that I just recently purchased in the US authenticated), that because the watch is a US serial #, any time I come back to Canada, Customs could request a duty receipt (to prove that I paid duty on it). Apparently, Rolex is the first luxury brand (and others to follow) where they are trying to restrict watches from coming over w/o duty being paid.

Obvioulsy, no one will carry a duty receipt w/ them every time they travel for teh next 10 years, so in that case, customs will hold the watch until you show proof of duty, or pay the duty on the estimate value of the watch. This all seems like a very remote scenario, but apparently it is enforcable. Not sure what the rules ar ein the UK.

wow that is nutty. i guess the easy solution is to not travel with the watch and just enjoy it when you are in your home town?

edit - how would customs know that its a US serial number? is Rolex going to provide this to them and randomly run checks at the TSA for people wearing Rolex's?

[Tri-Tip]

There are several states that do no charge sales tax. I know that Oregon and Florida are two of them, not sure if there are any others. Nevada (Las Vegas) and California will definitely charge you tax.