Duty on used Rolex imported from EU to US

[aniconic]

I've found the exact Rolex I've been looking for at a reputable dealer in the EU. I'm trying to estimate the duty and I'm hoping someone who has recently (i.e., in 2024) imported from the EU can describe their experience.

Using the database provided by the US government, it looks like the duty is 3% of the value of the bracelet. I get this figure by combining the code for the watch (9101.21.50, wrist watches with cases of or clad with precious metal, not electrically operated, with automatic winding, with over 17 jewels in mvmt) which shows no duty (https://dataweb.usitc.gov/tariff/dat...tails/91012150) and the code for the accompanying bracelet (9101.21.10, Straps/bands/bracelets of tex. mat. or base metal, whether or not gold- or silver-plated entered with wrist watches of subheading 9101.21.50) which shows 3% (https://dataweb.usitc.gov/tariff/dat...tails/91012110)

The watch is approx. USD $15,000, but the bracelet is standard SS/gold jubilee, so about $2,000 given the age of the watch (approx. 40 years). So is the duty 3% of $2,000 in this example? If not, what have I missed?

[996marty]

I’m surprised that you don’t pay a percentage of the overall cost

[GRabens]

I have yet to import a watch because I have not been able to tie down a reliable cost estimate, even from dealers. It is all over the place depending upon how the watch is valued and how interested customs is in the package. I've concluded that the only way to find out is to jump in feet first and be willing to accept worst-case scenario. For this reason, I have decided to keep looking domestically.

[Rolexken]

Fly over watchless have a nice holiday and return with watch on wrist….

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by Rolexken

Fly over watchless have a nice holiday and return with watch on wrist….

I'd honestly consider this if the tariff cost was higher than the plane tickets.

[Calatrava r]

From my experience, I would the duties on a 15K watch to be about $300.

[inadeje]

I think you'll discover it works out at being more. If you use a courier (not USPS) like DHL, FedEx, UPS they have this scam going on where every package needs to be imported and as such a “customs agent/broker” is needed which they conveniently happen to own just that company.

I paid approx $300 USD on an 11k watch in 2019 and in 2023 $230 on just a rolex ss bracelet I paid $2600 for.

[aniconic]

From the responses, it seems that importing to the US is just as random as when I lived abroad and imported there. Duty is charged apparently randomly, but you don't find out until you're given a bill.

[Actor07]

Originally Posted by Rolexken

Fly over watchless have a nice holiday and return with watch on wrist….

Agreed. But you may have to pay VAT at the time of purchase (24% in some EU member countries) which you may not have to pay if you declared it at customs and filled out the appropriate forms.


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[Smobews]

Originally Posted by Actor07

Agreed. But you may have to pay VAT at the time of purchase (24% in some EU member countries) which you may not have to pay if you declared it at customs and filled out the appropriate forms.


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You get VAT back at departing European airport. They have a station that you go to and fill out paperwork. The money is returned on the credit card you originally used.

[themacman]

I have bought from Europe before and had shipped to me in the US. I have had one item come through without customs applying any duty. Two others had a 3 or 4% fee.

[Smobews]

Originally Posted by themacman

I have bought from Europe before and had shipped to me in the US. I have had one item come through without customs applying any duty. Two others had a 3 or 4% fee.

If you live in Illinois, the Illinois department of revenue cross checks imports with the US government and will send you a bill for state sales tax if you didn’t include the item on your Illinois income tax forms. I don’t know if other states are this petty.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

After reading about all of these variables and unknowns I can help but wonder what is so special about the watch to offset the brain damage and potential extra cost of importing it.

[T16ole]

I nearly didn’t realise this and was close to buying from the US

[Henrimontgomery]

I don’t know guys, consider the fact that you’re paying a ticket plane + transportation + hotel. If you come to Geneva, total cost will be above 2K VERY easily.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Actor07

Agreed. But you may have to pay VAT at the time of purchase (24% in some EU member countries) which you may not have to pay if you declared it at customs and filled out the appropriate forms.


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Should be no Vat, if he is not from EU. It’s a crap shoot. I have purchased many watches from all over the world. Only once did I get a bill for import tax. The country was Canada.

Kat


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[Smobews]

If you are a US citizen and buy in Europe, you will pay the VAT at the store and get that back at the airport. When you get to US and don’t declare the watch and they find out, it will be confiscated. That is a big gamble to avoid paying a few hundred bucks in import tax.

[ArtNouveau]

I have never brought a new watch back into the US from a trip but I have bought a half dozen or more from overseas vendors and had them shipped to me.
Every single one came to me(mostly Fedex)with all of the proper declarations paperwork attached and I was never charged any customs duties. I believe for the most part it’s totally random whether you get charged, if you do the 3% figure seems correct.

[Smobews]

my latest online purchase from Christopher Ward to the US had 6.25% sales tax and 7.4% Duty on the invoice

[aniconic]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

After reading about all of these variables and unknowns I can help but wonder what is so special about the watch to offset the brain damage and potential extra cost of importing it.

There isn't one for sale in the US.