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Anyone know what import duties/taxes would be in buying a watch from a seller in Singapore?  Rating:  Rating
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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 08:48 pm
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stew77
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Anyone know what the import duties/taxes would be in buying a watch from a seller in Singapore?

I have never purchased a watch from a seller outside the USA (in fact, I've been extremely fortunate to have purchased my preowned watches from the wonderful members here at 3T...Teddy and Ken, you know who you are...these transactions were ultra-smooth to say the least).

I am somewhat concerned about purchasing a watch from someone in Singapore, but will do my best to check out references etc.  Another thing I can't seem to find on the US customs website is what I can expect to pay in import duties/taxes for a watch shipped from a seller in Singapore?  I see that if the item exceeds $200 (and this watch would) then I would generally have to pay import duties (although it seems like some peoples experience is hit or miss in terms of actually being charged).

Anyone of you experienced watch buyers know the answer to this question?

Thanks

Last edited on Wed Jun 24th, 2009 08:49 pm by stew77

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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 08:56 pm
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oagaspar
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there are no import duties to the U.S....only if they ship overnight FeDex and it is Fedex that charges you hand6.gif

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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 09:37 pm
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stew77
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Wow...thanks for the ultra fast response Oscar!!

I don't think I'm reading the US Customs site correctly then since the $200 must apply to tobacco and alcohol then (for items that you are not personally transporting back into the country).

I thought that this applied to all goods that exceeded $200 in value.

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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 09:40 pm
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oagaspar
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I have bought a gang of watches from overseas sellers and vendors like Anders/Dievas/GnomonWatches in Singapore and have never had a dutie or tax regardless of price with the exception of Doxa who shipped overnight Fedex and then the bill comes direct from Fedex ....luckily Doxa pays that hand6.gif

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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 09:56 pm
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stew77
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Thanks Oscar...very good to know (I had been thinking I might surprisingly get hit up by customs for a king's ransom in order to take delivery).

Thanks again for the info!!

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 Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 10:29 pm
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Paxman
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Some of them even make the watch a gift and Fed Ex can bite it then.;) Be certain to state when negotiating your final sale price with the vnedor that you expect no adds or ups to include any duty. You should be just fine.

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 08:42 am
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Graham
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You guys in the US are lucky.  We have to pay 20% duty on watches, plus 14% VAT (sales tax)!  Having said that, some packages still come in with no questions asked. A matter of lazy customs officers, I guess....subtlelaugh.gif

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 09:26 am
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IanM
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Same here in Australia guys - and Graham is correct about ineffective Customs people, or different people interpreting the same rule in different ways. Happens all the time.

Limit for Aussie buyers is $400 AUD before tax applies (it varies, but is about 10% of the AUD converted price PLUS shipping).

However, like O, I have never (touch wood twice...) had to pay an import duty or a tax of any kind...

Luck of the draw sometimes...

Cheers all! IanM hand6.gif 

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 10:06 am
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KenC
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oagaspar wrote: I have bought a gang of watches from overseas sellers and vendors like Anders/Dievas/GnomonWatches in Singapore and have never had a dutie or tax regardless of price with the exception of Doxa who shipped overnight Fedex and then the bill comes direct from Fedex ....luckily Doxa pays that hand6.gif

Ditto...the only duty I hsave ever been charged was on a DOXA when it was shipped by FedEX.  On a $1500 watch, the duty was approximated $37, and DOXA paid for it (well, it was included in the price).

My STOWA also came FedEX, but I never saw a Custom's bill.

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 10:20 am
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Nabco
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Don't think you need to worry about it, just make sure they do not ship FedEx, I have had the same experience as others....even with non watch items....my company was HQ'd in Ireland, when they sent me a new laptop via FedEx I had to pay almost $200 in duty.

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 10:45 am
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Skipdawg
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I think it is FedEx Overnight that gets ya. I've done many with Fedex International Express with no problems. Now with International Airmail I've have items get hung up in Customs and 2 items over the past 5 years went missing that way but no fees.

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 Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 08:55 pm
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stew77
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Thanks for all the helpful replies guys....

It looks like (although I don't have final confirmation yet) the timepiece will likely ship via Speedpost Worldwide Express and according to everyone's experience here, I will not need to plan to pay additional Import Duties.

SORRY TO THE GUYS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA...bummer on the import duties and VAT!!:(

Thanks again to all for the info!!thankyou.gif

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