Visiting the States
Discussion
Well if you buy out of State and have it shipped to your hotel, you won't pay State Sales tax, which will help. Your problem will be convincing the shipper to send to a hotel. Perhaps you could use a trusted colleague's home address.
But, don't forget to declare the item when you wear it back through customs entering the UK. You will be liable for 20% import duty on the price you paid in the US, whether or not you paid US State Sales Tax.
Can't help with the watch choice though. The American Brand Hamilton are now Swiss, so can't imagine they'll be cheaper. Other American brands (Wittnauer, Gruen) seem to have dropped by the wayside.
Good luck.
ETA:
Import duty is payable on all goods, second hand and new.
But, don't forget to declare the item when you wear it back through customs entering the UK. You will be liable for 20% import duty on the price you paid in the US, whether or not you paid US State Sales Tax.
Can't help with the watch choice though. The American Brand Hamilton are now Swiss, so can't imagine they'll be cheaper. Other American brands (Wittnauer, Gruen) seem to have dropped by the wayside.
Good luck.
ETA:
Import duty is payable on all goods, second hand and new.
Edited by mikeveal on Thursday 26th May 10:31
mikeveal said:
Well if you buy out of State and have it shipped to your hotel, you won't pay State Sales tax, which will help. Your problem will be convincing the shipper to send to a hotel. Perhaps you could use a trusted colleague's home address.
But, don't forget to declare the item when you wear it back through customs entering the UK. You will be liable for 20% import duty on the price you paid in the US, whether or not you paid US State Sales Tax.
Can't help with the watch choice though. The American Brand Hamilton are now Swiss, so can't imagine they'll be cheaper. Other American brands (Wittnauer, Gruen) seem to have dropped by the wayside.
Good luck.
ETA:
Import duty is payable on all goods, second hand and new.
But, don't forget (NOT) to declare the item when you wear it back through customs entering the UK. You will be liable for 20% import duty on the price you paid in the US, whether or not you paid US State Sales Tax.But, don't forget to declare the item when you wear it back through customs entering the UK. You will be liable for 20% import duty on the price you paid in the US, whether or not you paid US State Sales Tax.
Can't help with the watch choice though. The American Brand Hamilton are now Swiss, so can't imagine they'll be cheaper. Other American brands (Wittnauer, Gruen) seem to have dropped by the wayside.
Good luck.
ETA:
Import duty is payable on all goods, second hand and new.
Edited by mikeveal on Thursday 26th May 10:31
mikeveal said:
I'm sure the OP is able to work out the implications of forgetting to declare. Let's not insight people to break the law eh? After all, these laws only exist for our benefit.
What benefit would that be then.Back on topic looked at some Omegas in Florida a couple of years ago and they where about the same price as the uk.
GG89 said:
mikeveal said:
I'm sure the OP is able to work out the implications of forgetting to declare. Let's not insight people to break the law eh? After all, these laws only exist for our benefit.
You seem fun.Do we really need to spell it out?
When importing goods from outside of the EU to the UK, 20% duty is payable as you go through customs. IF the OP wants to be all good and legal, he should head through the red channel, declare the watch and pay the duty. Heading through the green channel and not declaring it is illegal and naughty (they call it smuggling), fluffy bunnies might die, or the OP might get caught fined and have to pay the duty as well.
I'm sure the OP is a big boy and can make his own mind up without our help.
I'm also sure that the OP would rather know what his options and exposure are before buying his toy abroad.
So with a similar blindness to sarcasm, there's just one more thing to say: you don't.
h0b0 said:
I am not convinced there are any watch bargains to be had in the US. If there were they would be dictated by the currency. The market for high end watches is much more international now with sites like chrono24. If you want a bargain state side buy Levis.
You are quite correct, homo, there are no savings, only the difference in exchange rates TBH. h0b0 said:
I am not convinced there are any watch bargains to be had in the US. If there were they would be dictated by the currency. The market for high end watches is much more international now with sites like chrono24. If you want a bargain state side buy Levis.
Check the second hand prices for Rolexes there as compared with the UK.... Seem a lot cheaper to meGassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff