Importing watch from US to UK

[simong800]

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience of importing a watch to the UK from the US?

There is a watch I am after which appears to be extremely scarce in the UK but easier to come by in the US.....

Is it as straightforward as list price + 4.5% duty + 20% VAT?

Thanks in advance

[-crookedtail-]

Not the US but I have imported a couple of watches from Japan which I guess is more or less the same.You'll pay no duty on watches as far as I know but you'll pay VAT @ 20% and whatever charges the courier will charge you for handling this process.

Customs took forever to value my watch and hand it back to the courier which can be frustrating but other than that I would recommend it if the savings are significant.

[Tyre Smoke]

How much is the watch?

There is a train of thought that says an overnight bag, Netflights and a bare wrist flying West is the answer.

[simong800]

Thanks chaps.

Watch is circa $15.5k USD. Definitely cheaper to fly over but keen to explore the cost of doing it "by the book" too

[Tyre Smoke]

For that, I'd be going to get it myself.

[Mr Pointy]

si800 said:

Thanks chaps.

Watch is circa $15.5k USD. Definitely cheaper to fly over but keen to explore the cost of doing it "by the book" too

As has been said the charges will be 20% VAT, maybe £20 courier charges & whatever it costs to insure it in transit. Duty isn't an issue as for one watch it's below the collectible amount.

[GCH]

Don't forget that US prices are excluding sales tax...so for example if buying here in NY, add 8.875% to that.

Which model is it?
If you need it purchased in person and shipped I would be happy to help (if only for the amex points )

[Tony1963]

And be prepared for cancelled flights, quarantine, or whatever is in place, if going there and back yourself

[TorqueDirty]

Out of interest does anyone know if the rules are different for importing a pre-owned watch from outside the EU?

Oh, and I'm talking the other end of the scale price wise from the OP if that matters - well below $1000, probably below $500

[simong800]

GCH said:

Don't forget that US prices are excluding sales tax...so for example if buying here in NY, add 8.875% to that.

Which model is it?
If you need it purchased in person and shipped I would be happy to help (if only for the amex points )

Thanks for this!

Can I confirm, would NY sales tax be applicable to a non NY/US resident buying? Trying to fully understand what I will actually pay is proving challenging!

[simong800]

Sorry I didn't answer the question on which model;

42mm offshore diver, white dial with blue accents (relatively recent addition to the lineup);

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/watch-collection...

[Fishlegs]

Can't help, but I do have an anecdote to share. I know a guy who went to the states to collect a watch for a client. He wore it back through customs to their country of residence to avoid whatever taxes were due at the borders. The client bought him a Mercedes to say thank you for doing it.

Holy heck, I exclaimed. How much was the watch if it was worth the cost of flights and a new Merc to avoid the tax?

Answer: A cool $2.5m.

[paulguitar]

I am flying from NYC to Manchester later this month OP. Happy to help if I can.

[GCH]

si800 said:

GCH said:

Don't forget that US prices are excluding sales tax...so for example if buying here in NY, add 8.875% to that.

Which model is it?
If you need it purchased in person and shipped I would be happy to help (if only for the amex points )

Thanks for this!

Can I confirm, would NY sales tax be applicable to a non NY/US resident buying? Trying to fully understand what I will actually pay is proving challenging!

In person yes it would still be charges...unless under certain conditions the store is willing to ship out of state, and then you have the hassle of dealing with that.
If the AP boutique here would ship to the UK, then no, local sales tax would not be applicable....but do they even ship/sell over the phone?