Purchasing a watch from Canada(while based in the USA)

[330ci]

Anyone have any recent experience? Never bought a high end watch out of country before myself. I ended up buying a watch from Canada and didn't really think about getting it over the border.

Purchased from a private seller if that makes a difference

Read somewhere it's 1.5% over 600 which didn't make sense as I thought the threshold was $800. Looks like there was a 5+4% tax going into Canada but I couldn't find anything specific on coming into US. Plenty of people saying they never got hit with taxes coming in as well. I just don't want to be one of those people stuck paying a surprise bill because they're ignorant of the law.



(I did Google this, got half a dozen old TRF threads from 6-13 years ago, and figured it probably was appropriate to make a new one, my search function on the forum doesn't work too well these days)

[brandrea]

I can only speak to how it works the other way around.

Here, if I were to import a watch, the government charges taxes and import duty based on where the watch is made (not country of origin).

In this case, if it’s a Swiss made watch, I’d pay 5% duty plus another 13% in tax.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-v...t-cal-eng.html

I would think CBP has a similar site for your imports.

[330ci]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I would think CBP has a similar site for your imports.

One would think the government would make this easier to find IIRC there was a hack where you sent the head and bracelet separate or something as parts are taxed less than complete watches. Truthfully it doesn't seem like there is any level of consistency though from people who've actually bought from across the border. Ar this point it is what it is, I just don't know what to expect or how they collect.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 330ci

One would think the government would make this easier to find IIRC there was a hack where you sent the head and bracelet separate or something as parts are taxed less than complete watches. Truthfully it doesn't seem like there is any level of consistency though from people who've actually bought from across the border. Ar this point it is what it is, I just don't know what to expect or how they collect.

I hear you ...

I bought a pair of denim last week from a retail store in Indianapolis. They shipped UPS to me here in Canada.

What do you think I paid for duty, tax and "government fees"?

......


Wait for it ....

$236. NO Joke

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[Maleg]

Google “harmonized tariff schedule of the United States” chapter 91 is watches.

You will get the current tariffs. I bought a SS watch in Dubai and the tax was pretty insignificant.

[330ci]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I hear you ...

I bought a pair of denim last week from a retail store in Indianapolis. They shipped UPS to me here in Canada.

What do you think I paid for duty, tax and "government fees"?

......


Wait for it ....

$236. NO Joke

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

this is why I'm freaking out a bit. Atleast if I get hit with something ridiculous I'd like to say "no this falls under section 91 of the US harmonized tariff schedule and is only subject to X & X% taxes" versus what they think I owe. I must have read this before bed last night.

Originally Posted by Maleg

Google “harmonized tariff schedule of the United States” chapter 91 is watches.

You will get the current tariffs. I bought a SS watch in Dubai and the tax was pretty insignificant.

Thank You so much kind Sir. This is exactly what I needed. Now to find a break to gleam through it all.

[GB-man]

Anecdotal and I’m sure you read my response in an old thread but I’ve never been charged when driving across and disclosing at the border. This was maybe 3-4 times with new Rolex. Of course this was years ago at this point. Ymmv

[Top G]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I hear you ...

I bought a pair of denim last week from a retail store in Indianapolis. They shipped UPS to me here in Canada.

What do you think I paid for duty, tax and "government fees"?

......


Wait for it ....

$236. NO Joke

Similar to you I bought a hat the other day for $80 from the US shipped to Toronto and nearly paid the same in duty and taxes

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Top G

Similar to you I bought a hat the other day for $80 from the US shipped to Toronto and nearly paid the same in duty and taxes

Its really strange isn't it?



I buy fairly regularly from Iron Heart clothing in the UK.

What I love about them, is that they price their goods in CAD and all shipping, duty and tax is included if you are buying $200 or more.

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EDIT - Sorry once again for the thread derail OP. I’m done now

[330ci]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Its really strange isn't it?



I buy fairly regularly from Iron Heart clothing in the UK.

What I love about them, is that they price their goods in CAD and all shipping, duty and tax is included if you are buying $200 or more.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

EDIT - Sorry once again for the thread derail OP. I’m done now

Derail away, I enjoy listening to others complain about taxes almost as much as I enjoy complaining about taxes myself.

Damn gubbaments

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 330ci

Derail away, I enjoy listening to others complain about taxes almost as much as I enjoy complaining about taxes myself.



Damn gubbaments

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[rmagoo57]

Go away for the weekend in Canada, meet the seller/buy the watch, then wear it home. Who needs to know anything about your private sale????

[DD58]

I ended up calling customs and a lady spend about 20mins with me explains how it all works and what will happen. Ended up not going through with it but doesn’t seem to entailed. Check the .gov sight for import duties and taxes.


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[KatGirl]

I bought a $1,000.00 watch from Marathon, based in Canada. No import tax.

KAT


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[Atone]

i paid $160 USD to import a $16000 watch. they break down to case, movement and bracelet on customs forms. put the highest value on movement as it's taxed the least. you'll be fine. pm me if you get confused but seller needs to do all this