Import duty

[Xtralarg]

Its probably one I shall pass on. To many questions, not enough answers

[kepler22]

There was a case some time ago of a UK grey dealer who sold watches at great prices, if I recall he was able to do this by avoiding VAT and import duties. Got caught in the end, so if the price is too good to be true beware!


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[cambb]

I recently bought a SD James Cameron in Miami when i was on holiday and arranged it through a dealer who posted the watch to my hotel via FedEx. When i got the watch it was actually bought in Harrods in London so i wore the watch on my wrist and put the box in my luggage. the question i have can you find out if UK duty was paid on the watch or not? Or does it actually matter if i get stopped coming back into the UK again?

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Xtralarg

Its probably one I shall pass on. To many questions, not enough answers

Well I guess a simple question you can ask for peace of mind is ‘can you be liable for someone else’s non payment of duty’. If not then it doesn’t matter what has or hasn’t previously occurred.

[Wedders]

Originally Posted by watchbowl

If the duty hasn’t been paid it would be the importer that would be liable. Also there’s no VAT on secondhand goods

I beg to differ the watches I imported were charged with VAT as it hadn’t been paid in USA.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Wedders

I beg to differ the watches I imported were charged with VAT as it hadn’t been paid in USA.

I think the difference here is that the piece is now in the UK with a UK grey and up for sale - the importation has already occurred.

[watchbowl]

Originally Posted by Wedders

I beg to differ the watches I imported were charged with VAT as it hadn’t been paid in USA.

The exporter would never pay your import duties. That just doesn’t make any sense

[Wedders]

Originally Posted by Russell996

I think the difference here is that the piece is now in the UK with a UK grey and up for sale - the importation has already occurred.

I’m sorry for that didn’t pick up on that. Too early in the morning for me.

[Wedders]

Originally Posted by watchbowl

The exporter would never pay your import duties. That just doesn’t make any sense

The VAT is charged whilst the watch is in customs and not released until it is paid by the importer.

[watchbowl]

Originally Posted by Wedders

The VAT is charged whilst the watch is in customs and not released until it is paid by the importer.

Yes so it has nothing to do with the exporter

[mercman]

Originally Posted by watchbowl

If the duty hasn’t been paid it would be the importer that would be liable. Also there’s no VAT on secondhand goods

VAT and Import duty is payable on New and Secondhand goods imported into the U,K,

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by Xtralarg

I clearly stated that I'm in the UK and the watch is from the USA. Thank you for your comments but I'm inclined to disagree with your opinion that my question is weird.

I already edited my post to correct UK to US . My point still stands

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by kepler22

There was a case some time ago of a UK grey dealer who sold watches at great prices, if I recall he was able to do this by avoiding VAT and import duties. Got caught in the end, so if the price is too good to be true beware!


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This still doesn’t impact the buyers who already bought the pieces. They are not liable to pay anything

[VacherObsessive]

The OP shouldn’t have asked the question, as it’s totally irrelevant to the OP and does not impact upon the OP in any way shape or form.
The dealer has said ‘I don’t know’, which has created ambiguity in the mind of the OP.
Even though there is absolutely zero consequence for the OP if any duty has been paid or not by the dealer. HMRC could never come after the OP for buying a piece from someone if the piece has already been imported, regardless if any duty paid or not.
They might if they fancy going after the dealer if the dealer has been naughty in their import practices.

Repeat, zero conveniences for the OP (buyer).

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by Xtralarg

I'm on the hunt for a hulk, one at the right price and condition. I have found one at a grey, it's from the US but there is no confirmation that import duty has been paid on entry to the UK.

My question is, does the duty owed follow the watch and therefore the prespctive buyer, or does it always remain the responsibility of the person who imported the watch?

Thank you

So, is the watch in the US or the UK right now? If it has already entered the UK, then duty will have been payed. If not, then it will be sent to you and you will have to pay duty before it is released from customs.

[Xtralarg]

Originally Posted by Seibei

So, is the watch in the US or the UK right now? If it has already entered the UK, then duty will have been payed. If not, then it will be sent to you and you will have to pay duty before it is released from customs.

The question is was it declared, that is the issue here.

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by Xtralarg

The question is was it declared, that is the issue here.

There is no issue. It doesn’t matter if it was declared or not, it’s here now (in the UK) and if the OP buys it it’s done and dusted.

[LooseCann0n]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

There is no issue. It doesn’t matter if it was declared or not, it’s here now (in the UK) and if the OP buys it it’s done and dusted.

Agree, purchased a watch from a EU dealer (in Germany; with an office here - although this is inconsequential) and the watch was originally from a country outside the EU. The pertinent point is that the dealer is responsible for the import into the Uk / EU and once here they sell with all liabilities paid (or they are responsible for).
As I have a receipt from a UK shop, I have no responsibility with regard to and import duty / VAT etc. My purchase is after the settlement of all these.




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[strafer_kid]

All very complicated stuff.....is there a concern here that should the watch eventually go to Rolex UK for service etc, that it would be 'flagged' in some way as having been imported without duty having been paid if indeed it has not been paid?

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

All very complicated stuff.....is there a concern here that should the watch eventually go to Rolex UK for service etc, that it would be 'flagged' in some way as having been imported without duty having been paid if indeed it has not been paid?

No that’s bollocks, Rolex service centre are not looking for if duties are paid or any of that. It can’t be ‘flagged up’. The Rolex factory sent their new watch out to the original store in the USA, and that store paid the relevant duties when it came in no doubt.

The fact someone then brought that watch over to another country and then that watch now needs a service is of no consequence for Rolex. The new owners name is not even on the warrantee card and Rolex don’t care about that either

[Calatrava r]

If the item is correctly described and valued, the country to which it is shipped into will charge the purchaser through customs for the proper duties owned, unless they are prepaid which is rarely done on single transactions.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

All very complicated stuff.....is there a concern here that should the watch eventually go to Rolex UK for service etc, that it would be 'flagged' in some way as having been imported without duty having been paid if indeed it has not been paid?

Once an item has cleared customs that is the end of it. No way to flag anything.

[Batmannr1]

It is not your problem. Just make sure you get an invoice of the grey's company with the UK address, amount, etc. and pick it up at the seller.
Good luck.

[watchbowl]

Originally Posted by mercman

VAT and Import duty is payable on New and Secondhand goods imported into the U,K,

Yes it is on goods IMPORTED. The OP is purchasing from a UK grey dealer so they are not applicable for VAT and import duty