The Easy Way To Buy Watches In Foreign Countries Without Bad Surprises. A Quick Guide.

Do you have to pay customs? Do you have to pay VAT? Does shipping work properly between continents? And how to calculate all costs in advance?
These questions I will answer in this video. Topics are limits import duties, shipping and more.
A quick guide, very easy to use.

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[HRM.H]

I use the tactic of; wear it on the plane, ship the packaging/boxes with airmail. In the Netherlands we have import fees from 1 euro and for watches specifically we pay 25.5%..

[bluemountain.]

I'm the UK, I have given up on buying anything from the US and Europe. Too expensive and the shipping companies are a law unto themselves with their handling charges.

[secoff]

this is the most trustworthy dude on the internet!

[slowbluesmaster]

If possible, I try to buy from within the EU to avoid crippling VAT, customs charges and import fees. Sadly, many interesting watches I fancy are JDM-only, so I always need to think of an unavoidable 25% surcharge.

[finesse]

The de minimis limit in Canada is a mere $20.00 For countries other than the USA from which the limit depends on whether the goods are shipped by post or courier (UPS, DHL, etc.). Often, if a parcel arrives by post and is above the limit, it gets through the system with no tax or duty added. Couriers, of course, collect duty and taxes as well as adding a hefty processing fee.

[daverooni]

Cool that the Moels watch made it to my hometown of Vancouver 😊

[Theo-ulqm]

This isn't a very useful video. It's basically only useful for importing watches under $800 into the US. The rest of us don't get any value from it.

[RobinsWatchJourney]

Thanks for this interesting and informative video.

[boo]

Tim your channel is the best way to start my weekend as these episodes drop Friday night in aus thanks mate

[balesjo]

Thanks for the link to the Import Duty Calculator. I knew the US allowed up to $800 USD (after a lot of research through convoluted government documents) but this will definitely make a difference for any watch purchase above that limit. Just received a watch from a Spanish business that was slow moving through customs but otherwise, all went well.

[whereisvanuatu]

The craziest import situation has happened to me last week. I bought a watch from Singapore with free DHL shipping. DHL customs agents then asked me to pay VAT on the cost of transport. When I gave them my "transport fee: 0" invoice, they have requested seller's transport invoice and I had to pay VAT on that. Do you believe I hve grounds for complaining to their main office?

[vincentwalters]

What happens if I import a christopher ward watch to US, pay customs duty, and then return the watch? Can I get the custom duty refunded back to me?

[kanemillard]

Thanks for this Tim. I've always looked at watches from Japan but never taken the plunge as I was always unsure of import.

[michaelj]

Do you have to pay VAT taxes if you are sending watches out for repair or recieving gifts Just curious my friend if not is sounds like a possible loop hole Just curious my friend 👍

[MiaogisTeas]

8:02 Dial looks pretty good, case and crown looks like pure Chinesium, and the strap looks like "vegan" leather aka plastic. I hope I'm wrong and you have the same person making cases for you as the dials.

[Wizzardus]

In EU you pay VAT regardless of the value of the item, even if it's only 1€ .... been like this since last year july.

[velviaman]

Nomos is wise to currency and country variations. They will price the watch at the retail price where you live to protect their retailers.
Some years ago I tried to buy a light modifier for watch photos from the US because it was very much less there but they always switched to the U.K. web page.

Brexit has ruined the importing part of the hobby because some EU firms will not remove the VAT at their end so no matter how much I like the watch I will not pay VAT twice. I note that while Italy may have lower prices shipping costs can be very high.

Very good information as always Tim.

[idid]

Anything over $2400 into the U.S. they want your tax ID# or social security, but I don't remember paying any extra cash!

[Conundrum]

Canada: $20. 100% screwed tax wise for imports.

[TheLindosguy]

Canada has a $20 import limit. Ridiculous!