Buying Rolex in UK From TRF Seller Watch from USA

[GolfPunk]

I am considering buying a Brand new Rolex from a TRF seller based in the USA. He would be buying the watch in the USA and bringing it to the UK. His name would be on the warranty card but I'd be buying it in the UK with cash or by bank transfer.

Are there any customs/VAT issues for ME as the buyer to worry about?

[Tools]

You should check your country custom's and VAT requirements on purchase of a non-UK, used, watch.

It would not be "brand new" with the warranty card already filled out in another name.

[GolfPunk]

Originally Posted by Tools

You should check your country custom's and VAT requirements on purchase of a non-UK, used, watch.



It would not be "brand new" with the warranty card already filled out in another name.

Sorry I mean unworn with stickers in place. This is why I feel it would be ok as I'd be buying a used watch from someone in the UK, anyone else have any personal experience please?

[Leasky]

As regards the guy physically walking into UK customs; I would strongly recommend that he does not have the box and papers on him (May raise reasonable suspicion).

As regards the later sale to you; I personally cannot see an issue as regards your liability for any tax / import duties.

Is the seller aware of his potential exposure? If he gets stung, he may wish to seek recompense from yourself.

Good luck with the venture.

Colin.

[scimps]

i could be wrong - but ive been told "duty" is due on a watch imported in to the UK from outside the EU for about 7 or 8 years, after which it becomes written off as a concern.

Duty (import duty) is not the same as VAT and is calculated differently on different articles - a "luxury" article being in the higher % bracket.... I paid about 30% just buying a cheap ALPHA watch from hongkong in order to get it delivered and cleared through customs.... sounds like yours is hand delivered - so unlikely any charges will be "incurred" tho i think - they are arguably due....

hardly the crime of the century as everyones doing it - but some dealers have reportedly come unstuck and ended up in a lot of trouble.... thats why selling a US watch in a year or two will mean you will get less as dealers and purchasers will see leverage in the unpaid duty issue...

[SC11]

Duty due would be no different if you purchased the watch directly from him maybe minus a handing charge and had it shipped here value declared.

Technically he can bring the watch in duty free as he is a US resident and has purchased it in the US but then UK customs will be expecting him to leave with it on his person, now I don't know enough about second hand items and when the duty gets written off if it even does at all but surely it's not going to take much of a Sherlock Holmes in customs to realise the attempt to circumvent duty charges.

To be honest and not condoning it but I'm sure the easiest way would to have it shipped to you not valued or undervalued and then run the risk with customs.

Quick question how did you get your Daytona as noticed it a US watch in your FS ad?

[psv]

The whole thing seems complicated but if you are going that way why not ask the original buyer to put your name on the card in the first place? Ship the box and papers by email and wear the watch on the flight.

[colpol]

Recently purchased a 1680 from a seller in US & had shipped to the UK

Watch was held at Stanstead until duties paid

The duties probably equalled a flight, 2 nights in NY hotel & some spending cash left over to see the sites

Only you can answer if I'm a good guy for paying the duty or a complete Nob !! No need for anyone to answer.

[Scotswierdo]

Its not supposed to happen so don't do it.

[Old Expat Beast]

So if you were legally importing a secondhand Rolex into the UK, what would the total percentage hit for customs and VAT?

[Johny]

scenario 1.....a Scotsman is in a bar in Scotland and an American gentleman offers to sell him his watch. he buys the watch. are any taxes due from this private sale?

scenario 2.....a Scotsman is in a bar in another EU country and an American gentleman offers to sell him his watch. he buys the watch and then flies home to his own EU country. are any taxes due from this private sale and would he have to declare the purchase which was made within the EU to the Scottish customs on his return?

a couple of interesting scenarios.

[Pandamonia]

Originally Posted by Johny

you are in a bar in Scotland and an American gentleman offers to sell you his watch. you buy his watch. are any taxes due from this private sale?

When you arrive back in the UK yes.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Pandamonia

When you arrive back in the UK yes.

[SC11]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

UK Duty relates to the value of the goods not the age and applies to most goods that were originally purchased outside the UK/EU so be it new, used or abused it would seem require duty on the current market value

[scimps]

I'm far from clued up but it is a bit of a mine field. And even trying to "stay safe" and buy uK stock second hand doesn't necessarily mean you aren't running a slight risk of unknowingly participating in some kind of tax scam...

Another scenario: Chinese business man over in uk gets himself a pt Daytona on a good cash deal... Maybe £5-8k off rrp say. Then goes back to China and claims back his vat - so maybe £5-8 k returned there too ...

Its all approximate figures to float an idea. But this guy now has a bnib UK pt Daytona he can afford to sell at around £10-16k under rrp. (Next time he is in UK)

So any keen and law abiding UK residing fella might jump at a deal within the chinese mans acceptable profit margins but ultimately be buying himself a bit of a concern if he was (incredibly) unlucky and questioned one day

I'm sure its watch dealers that get investigated rather than the watch owners - but its a story I was told so I thought I'd share it...

Maybe its an urban legend of sorts. But I was certainly naive to it all. And it does make you think

[Pandamonia]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

sorry misread it