Amazon purchase - import duty?

[TNJ]

Hopefully this is in the right forum

I am looking to buy a sports watch and it is cheapest on Amazon. However, the Amazon description says that the purchaser will be the importer of record and is responsible for customs duties etc. I understand what this all means but wonder if anyone has any experience of this?

is it likely that the delivery agent will require duty etc to be paid on delivery or is it just a matter of waiting to see if a demand arrives from HMRC?

It seems like a lot of potential hassle (plus a bit of a fast one from Amazon to make it look as if their price is the cheapest). Depending on how likely it is to be a problem, I might just pay the extra and buy a proper duty paid one elsewhere

[TNJ]

Thanks all - I appreciate the replies. Having totted up the VAT and courier charges, it is marginally more expensive so definitely not worth the hassle. I have therefore ordered one elsewhere which is fully duty paid.

[TNJ]

It was on the normal Amazon site - it clearly says (albeit tucked away in small text) that the purchaser will be the importer of record. I went as far as the checkout and no duty was added.

Once I added 20% VAT and worked out the courier charge, it was at least the same price as buying from Wiggle

I am glad I spotted the importer of record statement and understood what it meant - I suspect a lot of people would be in for a surprise after thinking they had got a bargain deal