Does one pay duty on a watch purchased from Italy?

[RichB]

As it says really, if I purchase a watch from a dealer in Italy will there be any import duties to pay or is it free of duty within the EU? When I purchased a watch from the USA I obviously had duty to pay. Thanks... Rich.

p.s. Think I've answered my own question on the surprisingly easy to use HMRC web site

All other goods
If you're ordering or sending purchased goods (other than alcohol and tobacco) to the UK from another EU country then it's just like shopping in the UK:
there is no Customs Duty payable
there is no import VAT payable, unless you're ordering or sending purchased goods from one of the EU 'Special Territories' and if the value of the goods is £15 or more, however from 1 April 2012 all merchandise sent to the UK from the Channel Islands is subject to VAT - see below
there is no Excise Duty to pay

Edited by RichB on Saturday 23 June 16:32

[andy_s]

^ Yup.

[GC8]

No duty or VAT to pay, so long as it is in free circulation (meaning all duties paid in an EU state). Thats what the EU is all about.

[RichB]

Thanks, I'll report back

[mikeveal]

Italy is known for having "dodgy" watch dealers.
I very nearly got caught out, the dealer shipped a watch box, but 'forgot' to put the watch inside. Fortunately for me, I collected it from the courier's depot and opened it at the counter - had a couple of witnesses. Now I make a point of doing the same whenever I order from an individual.

[StefanVXR8]

That's as long as it gets out of Italy of course! One country I won't consider sending to or buying from, too many stories of stuff going missing......................

Stef

[hilly10]

StefanVXR8 said:

That's as long as it gets out of Italy of course! One country I won't consider sending to or buying from, too many stories of stuff going missing......................

Stef

Their postal service is very suspect, bent as a nine bob note watches go missing quite a lot

[RichB]

Oh st...

[andy_s]

I've had 2/2 come through from Italy, but they both took forever (4-6 weeks). If I was doing it again I'd pay to courier or nip over myself.

[daveenty]

Bought a watch a few weeks ago from a respected dealer in Italy.

Got an email at 11.30 Wednesday to tell me it was ready to be shipped. UPS van outside at 10.20 Thursday morning.

I was pleasantly surprised.

I think the key here may be UPS though, not Italian postal service.

[benny.c]

No problems for me when I purchased in Italy. As other suggest, avoid the postal service and ask for UPS, FedEx etc