Import duty tax sux!

[Auto16610]

I just got hit with a $300.00 import tax on a watch from overseas. Is that normal! Yikes!

[Tools]

depends on the value of the watch.. Usually it's 2 to 5 percent of value..

[Auto16610]

Originally Posted by Tools

depends on the value of the watch.. Usually it's 2 to 5 percent of value..

The lady at the shipping office said "next time have them declare a lower value"

To which I replied "Ya, but what about the insurance, they need to declare the actual amount to insure it"

[Dr.Brian]

I just got stung myself.
That's the cost of doing business overseas.
Sometimes they slip through. It's like winning the lottery. :)

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

I just got hit with a $300.00 import tax on a watch from overseas. Is that normal! Yikes!

Yeouch, that stings... :

[Tri-Tip]

Probably less than paying local sales tax!

[Pup]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

Probably less than paying local sales tax!

Yep...especially at 8.5% where my AD is located. But, of course, as it stands in my State currently, 0% on domestic internet sales.

[Saxon007]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

I just got hit with a $300.00 import tax on a watch from overseas. Is that normal! Yikes!

I only seem to get charged customs fees when the watch is sent via Fedex. Registered mail seems to slip through and I never get charged. Go figure.

[tinger]

Originally Posted by Saxon007

I only seem to get charged customs fees when the watch is sent via Fedex. Registered mail seems to slip through and I never get charged. Go figure.

Ditto, same here.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

That's the cost of doing business overseas.
Sometimes they slip through. It's like winning the lottery. :)

This. Unfortunately, this.

[brkanand]

Which is why despite great temptations I avoid buying from US/ TRF's trusted sellers at least for now.

Most of these preowned watches are priced to sell but various import duties and paper work are the real killers!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

I just got hit with a $300.00 import tax on a watch from overseas. Is that normal! Yikes!

How much less did you spend to buy it? Was it still a good deal?

Originally Posted by Auto16610

The lady at the shipping office said "next time have them declare a lower value"

To which I replied "Ya, but what about the insurance, they need to declare the actual amount to insure it"

Falsifying US Customs forms is a bad idea

[Auto16610]

Originally Posted by beshannon

How much less did you spend to buy it? Was it still a good deal?




It was a good deal in the sense that the watch was almost brand new (being a 2254.50 I was stoked), but money wise I brobably paid more than I should have. And the import tax threw that theory into yea I definetly paid to much! lol But hey, I have a disease!




Falsifying US Customs forms is a bad idea

I totally agree. (with falsifying forms. I can't seem to reply to both questions properly)

[bayerische]

I wish it was 300... Value of watch plus 24% VAT and customs fee. Usually ends up at around 28% or so.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I wish it was 300... Value of watch plus 24% VAT and customs fee. Usually ends up at around 28% or so.

Tell me Andreas . . . .

I think it is better that you buy a ticket and go and get it yourself ;-)

HAGS friend

[Vincent65]

any and all tax 'sux'

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

The lady at the shipping office said "next time have them declare a lower value"

To which I replied "Ya, but what about the insurance, they need to declare the actual amount to insure it"

Give your insurance company the serial number and insure it yourself Scott.

[applebook]

$300 doesn't sound right for the States. As Tools says, it's supposed to be around 2-5%.

Was the watch around $10k?

[tattooedfagin]

You'd get stung for approx 20% here in the UK, nevermind a few tears that'll put you in mourning for a month or so

[SLRdude]

I flew back home from EU this past Friday and I carried a watch I purchased in Glashutte. Did not have to pay anything and nobody asked about it when I landed in Dallas.

On a different note, I paid VAT on that thing and I kept on seeing signs in the airports about getting the VAT back on your purchase. I am now thinking that I screwed up and threw a few hundred bucks away. :-(

[Auto16610]

Originally Posted by applebook

$300 doesn't sound right for the States. As Tools says, it's supposed to be around 2-5%.

Was the watch around $10k?

No, only around $2,400

[applebook]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

No, only around $2,400

Then that can't be right! Even Canadians would pay under $300 tax on that.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

I flew back home from EU this past Friday and I carried a watch I purchased in Glashutte. Did not have to pay anything and nobody asked about it when I landed in Dallas.

On a different note, I paid VAT on that thing and I kept on seeing signs in the airports about getting the VAT back on your purchase. I am now thinking that I screwed up and threw a few hundred bucks away. :-(

You have to firstly buy it at a store that sells "tax-free", it's recognized by a sticker in the window.

When you buy the watch, you'll be paying the vat at the store. Your bag of purchases will be taped shut, as you are not allowed to use your tax-free goods within the EU. Once at the airport on your way back home you go to a VAT-return office, show them your receipts and your still unopened bag-of-purchases and you'll be getting most of the VAT back. This can be a pretty substantial amount of money depending on your purchase, as the VAT is about 20% or higher in the EU.

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by bayerische

You have to firstly buy it at a store that sells "tax-free", it's recognized by a sticker in the window.

When you buy the watch, you'll be paying the vat at the store. Your bag of purchases will be taped shut, as you are not allowed to use your tax-free goods within the EU. Once at the airport on your way back home you go to a VAT-return office, show them your receipts and your still unopened bag-of-purchases and you'll be getting most of the VAT back. This can be a pretty substantial amount of money depending on your purchase, as the VAT is about 20% or higher in the EU.

I bought it at an AD in Glashutte, Germany.

The store window had a sticker that said TAX FREE but I was so excited that I did not pay any attention to it and they did not seal the watch in a bag like they did with some airport purchases that I made.

Oh well, it is what it is. Thank you for the clarification bud!

[bayerische]

No problem Chip, strange that they didn't ask you if you wanted to make a tax-free purchase. Or is your German that good?