Creation Watches - VAT & Import?

[Woody]

Guys,
Looking at a couple of watches on Creations' site - seem really good value.
Am I likely to get hit with VAT & Import duty on them?
If so what is it calculated against - the price I pay or the RRP?

TIA

Chris

[andy tims]

You might get away with it, but best to assume not.

VAT is 20% on the declared value.

The customs release fee / rip off varies but for something in the £200 region assume approx £15.00

[MercuryRises]

Creation seem to be pretty good when it comes to labelling their products. I've had 3 watches from them and haven't been stung yet.

Not to say that it's never going to happen, but so far so good......

[mikeveal]

20% VAT on the price you pay.
Plus you'll pick up a charge from the courier for handling the customs charge on your behalf (£15 ish).

Doesn't matter if it's new or used. I *think* they charge for gifts too.

I've imported two watches from the states and I got stung both times.

[bigandclever]

mikeveal said:

I've imported two watches from the states and I got stung both times.

A valid point, although Creation ship from Singapore - I've had 6 so far, and none have been intercepted. Kiss of death now, no doubt

[Nigel H]

No charge for me, but I got stung for a World of Watches order.

[Chicane-UK]

Have ordered a couple of watches from Creation. Never paid any VAT or import duty on them.

[marcosgt]

Chicane-UK said:

Have ordered a couple of watches from Creation. Never paid any VAT or import duty on them.

But others have... just factor 25% on top of the price you pay Creation and if you get lucky, think of it as a discount.

If you can buy the same watch in the UK for less than 25% more than the Creation price, you can take your chances, but don't complain if you end up paying more in the end

M.

[Vvroom]

marcosgt said:

Chicane-UK said:

Have ordered a couple of watches from Creation. Never paid any VAT or import duty on them.

But others have... just factor 25% on top of the price you pay Creation and if you get lucky, think of it as a discount.

If you can buy the same watch in the UK for less than 25% more than the Creation price, you can take your chances, but don't complain if you end up paying more in the end

M.

^ sound advice. This is what I did when I bought my father a new Seiko beater last Christmas. Even with 25% on top, it was still cheaper than buying in the UK.

As it turned out, I didn't get charged any import fees for my "measuring instrument".

[MG511]

marcosgt said:

Chicane-UK said:

Have ordered a couple of watches from Creation. Never paid any VAT or import duty on them.

But others have... just factor 25% on top of the price you pay Creation and if you get lucky, think of it as a discount.

If you can buy the same watch in the UK for less than 25% more than the Creation price, you can take your chances, but don't complain if you end up paying more in the end

M.

This is worst case senario, I've bought 5 watches from Creation and from others in Singapore (like Sky) and never had to pay VAT or duty.

[marcosgt]

MG511 said:

marcosgt said:

Chicane-UK said:

Have ordered a couple of watches from Creation. Never paid any VAT or import duty on them.

But others have... just factor 25% on top of the price you pay Creation and if you get lucky, think of it as a discount.

If you can buy the same watch in the UK for less than 25% more than the Creation price, you can take your chances, but don't complain if you end up paying more in the end

M.

This is worst case senario, I've bought 5 watches from Creation and from others in Singapore (like Sky) and never had to pay VAT or duty.

But you're not, presumably, going to pay the VAT and handling for the OP are you?

In which case the 'worst case' (or legal position as you should more properly describe it, I believe) is the one the OP should count on.

On the other hand, if you ARE covering VAT charges, I'll get myself a Breitling Superocean Heritage from the States and thank you kindly

M

[Woody]

Cheers chaps.
Think I'll give it a punt - even with the 25% it's still cheaper than anywhere else I can find.

What are they like shipping to commercial addresses? Would be better if I can get it sent to work incease no one is in for the fedex man.

Chris

[marcosgt]

Woody said:

Cheers chaps.
Think I'll give it a punt - even with the 25% it's still cheaper than anywhere else I can find.

What are they like shipping to commercial addresses? Would be better if I can get it sent to work incease no one is in for the fedex man.

Chris

They shipped mine to work, no problem.

M.

[MG511]

marcosgt said:

On the other hand, if you ARE covering VAT charges, I'll get myself a Breitling Superocean Heritage from the States and thank you kindly

M

I didn't say you won't get stung with charges on a watch from the States (you most likely will, especially an expensive one), or from Japan for the matter. The OP was asking about Creation, and I've never heard of anyone being charged VAT and duty on a Creation watch. The glass is not always half empty with sour milk.

[marcosgt]

MG511 said:

marcosgt said:

On the other hand, if you ARE covering VAT charges, I'll get myself a Breitling Superocean Heritage from the States and thank you kindly

M

I didn't say you won't get stung with charges on a watch from the States (you most likely will, especially an expensive one), or from Japan for the matter. The OP was asking about Creation, and I've never heard of anyone being charged VAT and duty on a Creation watch. The glass is not always half empty with sour milk.

I've seen people post on this forum that they have paid charges on deliveries from Creation. Legally you should, so why tell people they won't?

Whilst it might have been unusual, there's no guarantee whatsoever that it will stay that way.

In my experience, HMCR are pretty good and spotting and closing loopholes to dodge VAT and duty over time, so I stand by my sensible suggestion. Singapore is no different to the States, Hong Kong or Japan in this respect, just the shippers the Americans (especially) like to use are greedier about taking their cut (IMO) than some others.

ALWAYS assume you'll pay the VAT and then if you don't it's a bonus

M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 19th February 14:42

[dienamic]

I've had 3 from Creation with no charges, excellent service too.

[bod27]

I have had two from Creation not had any problems, I have been charged on car parts from America , last watch was ordered on Thurs morning last week an arived Monday morning! Fantastic service , item marked up as Horological Instrument!
Also the enclosed invoice was for $20 not the £130 the watch cost!

[Grumpy old git]

I think the trick with Creation is to ensure you use the free Fed Ex option, rather than the also free and slower alternative.

It's then a combination of Creation creatively labelling their "measuring equipment" and Fed Ed being quite good at getting things through customs without charges being levied.

[collateral]

marcosgt said:

Woody said:

Cheers chaps.
Think I'll give it a punt - even with the 25% it's still cheaper than anywhere else I can find.

What are they like shipping to commercial addresses? Would be better if I can get it sent to work incease no one is in for the fedex man.

Chris

They shipped mine to work, no problem.

M.

Same here. I emailed to check before I put the order in and they said it wasn't an issue

[marcosgt]

bod27 said:

...Also the enclosed invoice was for $20 not the £130 the watch cost!

Anyone had a delivery from Creation go astray?

I wonder how they handle things if the item is only insured for $20...?

Lest anyone thinks I'm anti-Creation, I'm not, I'm a satisfied customer myself, but people are taking a lot for granted with regard to avoidance of Duty/VAT.

M.