Buying overseas

[Swiss0nly]

Looking to buy a watch or two when I’m in South America/Europe this summer. Some AD’s who’s list I’m on told me they’ll have stock and will take a deposit for me (family has a long list of purchase history). Question is whether I can travel with the watch in box in carryon from Peru to USA (example) without issues? Is it reccomended to wear on wrist and then keep box in carry on? Will Peru or USA give me an issue leaving or arriving? I wanted it in new condition but once it’s on a wrist it’s not considered new anymore

Thanks

[jcdevoe26]

If you are planning to get the VAT exclusion you will have to present the watch at the airport along with the paperwork from the store you bought it at. Other than that, it doesnt matter if you put the watch in your luggage or in your carry-on or wear it. I have bought watches and traveled between countries on multiple occasions (Turkey/Belgium/France).

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Swiss0nly

Looking to buy a watch or two when I’m in South America/Europe this summer. Some AD’s who’s list I’m on told me they’ll have stock and will take a deposit for me (family has a long list of purchase history). Question is whether I can travel with the watch in box in carryon from Peru to USA (example) without issues? Is it reccomended to wear on wrist and then keep box in carry on? Will Peru or USA give me an issue leaving or arriving? I wanted it in new condition but once it’s on a wrist it’s not considered new anymore

Thanks

All purchases outside the US on your trip must be declared upon reentry

There are no issues, just Federal law.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...hen-you-return

[edisonstar23]

Originally Posted by beshannon

All purchases outside the US on your trip must be declared upon reentry

There are no issues, just Federal law.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...hen-you-return

That’s right! Don’t break the law


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[Robf52]

Originally Posted by beshannon

All purchases outside the US on your trip must be declared upon reentry

There are no issues, just Federal law.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...hen-you-return

There is some fine print when declaring a watch purchased outside the US. Upon returning to the US, we declared a $10k watch purchased in Paris; the duty was a significantly higher than just the raw cost of the watch. The US calculates duty on the individual components...case, movement and strap/bracelet. Be prepared for higher duty and wait time with US agents deconstucting the value of the watch.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by beshannon

All purchases outside the US on your trip must be declared upon reentry

There are no issues, just Federal law.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...hen-you-return

Exactly this ^^^

[Andad]

Are you going to declare the watch or not?

There is a different potential outcome for each option.

One is a specific calculation.

The other isn’t.

[Wcdhtwn]

Once you buy it and the warranty is run it's not really a new watch anymore. Why are you concerned? Are you planning to sell it as soon as you get back to the states? If you're going to keep it what difference does it make when you start wearing it?

[Cigars&Watches]

It will be amazing to see what you can pick up

[Shaitan]

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn - you will have to declare it if you bring the box. No one is gonna look out for watches on your wrist if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.


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[Mr. Drunmond]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn. No one is gonna look out for watches if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.

I'm not saying you should do it this way, but you should definitely do it this way.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn - you will have to declare it if you bring the box. No one is gonna look out for watches on your wrist if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.


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Nothing like encouraging people to violate Federal law in a public forum. Well done

[Shaitan]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Nothing like encouraging people to violate Federal law in a public forum. Well done

Yes how will he sleep at night, while he keeps customs busy with his Rolex, 10 drug mules will get into the country instead. Go declare it OP, your city’s party scene will thank you


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[syahriltaher]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn - you will have to declare it if you bring the box. No one is gonna look out for watches on your wrist if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.


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When the empty box arrives, will there be inspection inspection from custom? Will they contact/call you to question about the watch?

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by syahriltaher

When the empty box arrives, will there be inspection inspection from custom? Will they contact/call you to question about the watch?

of course the custom will know what you are up to seeing you send empty new rolex box into the country. certainly they will come in full gear searching your house for the undeclared watch, beware!

[TswaneNguni]

Watch smuggling across the oceans ...

I buy in my own country .

[amh]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Watch smuggling across the oceans ...

I buy in my own country .

In Germany I was told: "Go back to your own country and buy it there"

[Amwfhunter]

Originally Posted by rambo99

of course the custom will know what you are up to seeing you send empty new rolex box into the country. certainly they will come in full gear searching your house for the undeclared watch, beware!

No they won't. Not over a box. Lol unless you are joking lol

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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn - you will have to declare it if you bring the box. No one is gonna look out for watches on your wrist if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.


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[Shaitan]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Works unless you’re a dummy :)


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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Works unless you’re a dummy :)


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It’s still VAT evasion, and illegal.
People can choose to break the law in any way they like, just not wise to recommend it on a forum, that’s all

[Shaitan]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

It’s still VAT evasion, and illegal.
People can choose to break the law in any way they like, just not wise to recommend it on a forum, that’s all

I agree, he has options. He asked for advice after all. Not saying he should do it, that’s his call. :)


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[jsobral]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

Put in on your wrist, post the box. Unless you want to sell it as unworn - you will have to declare it if you bring the box. No one is gonna look out for watches on your wrist if you come back from Peru, there’s something way more interesting for customs that comes from there. Wear it Under the shirt cuff and no one will ever know.

This is the way.

[Calatrava r]

Just declare the watch. Duties into US, on the value, should be about $300 based upon my experiences. I do not believe there are any offsets of other taxes against duties assessed coming into US.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Just declare the watch. Duties into US, on the value, should be about $300 based upon my experiences. I do not believe there are any offsets of other taxes against duties assessed coming into US.

I've always declared and never had to pay.

[Incroyable12]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Just declare the watch. Duties into US, on the value, should be about $300 based upon my experiences. I do not believe there are any offsets of other taxes against duties assessed coming into US.

Your state may assess a sales tax actually.

Also how would they even know you have a Rolex box in your luggage? An X-ray wouldn't reveal the brand.

[Swiss0nly]

Declaring it means you have to pay taxes or fees on bringing it in, no? I’m already over paying in another country because of higher tax and margin adjustments rolex has. In terms of bringing box with me, just to be clear.

If it’s in my checked and I bring my watch on my wrist, it should be ok?

Why would a watch in a box in my carry on even trigger anything anyway? Can’t I just say I bring my personal watch in the box? Just tell them I Was going to sell it, gift it or whatever?

[Ringhio]

Originally Posted by Swiss0nly

Declaring it means you have to pay taxes or fees on bringing it in, no? I’m already over paying in another country because of higher tax and margin adjustments rolex has. In terms of bringing box with me, just to be clear.

If it’s in my checked and I bring my watch on my wrist, it should be ok?

Why would a watch in a box in my carry on even trigger anything anyway? Can’t I just say I bring my personal watch in the box? Just tell them I Was going to sell it, gift it or whatever?

If you payed taxes in the country where you got the watch and you didn’t request VAT refund, you should be good to go. You already payed taxes on the good and you are using it. You cannot be taxed two times for the same purchase, especially if taxation is higher where you bought it.

PS: if you want to play by the book and don’t use the watch, just request the VAT refund, declare the watch, get the $800 exemption and then pay taxes on the reminder. It might actually be less than what you would pay in the country where you are buying.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Ringhio

If you payed taxes in the country where you got the watch and you didn’t request VAT refund, you should be good to go. You already payed taxes on the good and you are using it. You cannot be taxed two times for the same purchase, especially if taxation is higher where you bought it.

Is it true? Can somebody else confirm this comment?

Thanks in advance!

[Ringhio]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

Is it true? Can somebody else confirm this comment?

Thanks in advance!

Let’s put it this way:
You go to Europe, on day one of your trip you realize you need a pair of fancy shoes to go to a party. So, you get a very nice pair of Gucci, and pay $2000 + VAT. You wear the shoes for the party and also for the reminder of the trip.
You travel around Europe, including UK.
Then it’s time to go back to the states.
Do you need to declare your “not anymore new” Shoes?
For sure you cannot request a VAT refund, because you used the item, and the law is clear on that.
I would say that at this point it’s a bit debatable what you have to do.
But, if you want to play by the book, you will end up paying double taxes.
The only way around is: buy the shoes, don’t use them, ask for a VAT refund, declare them at the arrivals in US and pay taxes taking the standard $800 deduction.
The reality is that this is dumb, and if you are using a good and you payed taxes on it… very few people will take the burden of declaring it.
Another thing is if you got a VAT refund, and you are bringing the good at home. Then it’s another discussion.