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Old 30 May 2022, 08:44 AM   #1
rickc007
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Just received a VAT bill from FedEx for $1600 on a $5200 watch ???

Purchased a watched on Chrono24, it was $5200
Just received FedEx VAT and it's $1600 ???

I'm in Florida, USA , purchased the watch from The Netherlands

Was not expecting that.
That seems excessive, or is this normal ?
Anyone if there is any way I can protest it ?

All opinions, experiences welcome

Thanks
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Old 30 May 2022, 08:48 AM   #2
BDII
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Woof. Where did you buy it from?

I have no helpful opinions, but hopefully you can find a solution.
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Old 30 May 2022, 08:51 AM   #3
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Where are you and where is the watch from?


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Old 30 May 2022, 08:52 AM   #4
rickc007
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I'm in Florida, USA , purchased the watch from The Netherlands

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Woof. Where did you buy it from?

I have no helpful opinions, but hopefully you can find a solution.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:01 AM   #5
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You’re pay about $1200 here in duty and tax on a watch of that value
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:04 AM   #6
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Last time I checked there was no VAT in Florida?
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:11 AM   #7
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I feel your pain.
I purchased a vintage gold watch bracelet from a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction a while ago and ended up receiving a surprise Fed Ex customs bill weeks later on top of the buyer’s premium and high shipping fees.
So I learned the price we pay on overseas purchases can be a lot more challenging due to excessive fees and extra taxes.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:16 AM   #8
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US import duties are incredibly complex. Id try calling FedEx and asking them to walk you through how they came to that number. Always something to be aware of
When buying a watch from outside the us.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:19 AM   #9
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Ouch.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:19 AM   #10
rickc007
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Thanks, I'll call
I bought an IWC Fliegerchronograph about 20 years ago from Switzerland, think I paid like $39.00 Vat



Quote:
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US import duties are incredibly complex. Id try calling FedEx and asking them to walk you through how they came to that number. Always something to be aware of
When buying a watch from outside the us.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:23 AM   #11
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If you've got proof of purchase backed up with the same identical amount on your credit card bill (many try to include a fake invoice for less than the value of the watch or get the seller to "devalue" the watch on the customs form), you should be able to dispute the charge. Remember there is about $150 "admin and documentation" fee included within that, irrespective of the value of the watch. FedEx usually provide you with a detailed invoice with a breakdown of the fees.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:31 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ExplorerI View Post
US import duties are incredibly complex. Id try calling FedEx and asking them to walk you through how they came to that number. Always something to be aware of
When buying a watch from outside the us.
US Customs and VAT are two different things. You should clarify with Fed Ex as the broker and then with the seller.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:31 AM   #13
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What watch did you buy?
Depending on the watch and model, maybe Customs thought that price was "fake" and went with their own valuation?

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Old 30 May 2022, 10:14 AM   #14
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Without going into details, imho something is amiss. Call FedEx international services

1.800.247.4747

Have tracking info ready.
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Old 30 May 2022, 10:15 AM   #15
rickc007
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I'll try to post the pics of the bill below, but sometimes they get blocked ...


rconnelly.com/watch1.png
rconnelly.com/watch2.png



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Old 30 May 2022, 11:41 AM   #16
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That doesn’t seem correct given how the watch worksheet is filled out. You should call FedEx
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Old 30 May 2022, 12:12 PM   #17
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The doc you shared is US Customs duty. Not VAT

The risk is someone fat-fingered something, or they randomly selected you for fraud alert and overcompensated.

CBP makes mistakes, FedEx makes mistakes and the valuations on the form may not match the brand value.

FedEx has already disbursed the amount that they charged you. But it’s worth opening a ticket with them. Who created the label, you or the seller?


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Old 30 May 2022, 12:18 PM   #18
rickc007
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do you know who they dispersed the money too ? The seller ?

The seller created the label.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
The doc you shared is US Customs duty. Not VAT

The risk is someone fat-fingered something, or they randomly selected you for fraud alert and overcompensated.

CBP makes mistakes, FedEx makes mistakes and the valuations on the form may not match the brand value.

FedEx has already disbursed the amount that they charged you. But it’s worth opening a ticket with them. Who created the label, you or the seller?


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Old 30 May 2022, 12:19 PM   #19
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They gave it to the US Treasury via CBP.


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Old 30 May 2022, 12:50 PM   #20
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Been burned twice by US Customs (and FedEx) for big international purchases, but never that high of a percentage.
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Old 30 May 2022, 05:58 PM   #21
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That’s pretty expensive for a VAT.
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Old 30 May 2022, 07:22 PM   #22
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Quote:
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That’s pretty expensive for a VAT.
It states ‘customs duty’ on the form not VAT?
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Old 30 May 2022, 07:25 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickc007 View Post
Purchased a watched on Chrono24, it was $5200
Just received FedEx VAT and it's $1600 ???

I'm in Florida, USA , purchased the watch from The Netherlands

Was not expecting that.
That seems excessive, or is this normal ?
Anyone if there is any way I can protest it ?

All opinions, experiences welcome

Thanks

This has been asked but can you give me more details on this watch?

A make, model number and year would be good.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:08 PM   #24
rickc007
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Panerai 050 from about 2000, Twenty years old



Quote:
Originally Posted by Andad View Post
This has been asked but can you give me more details on this watch?

A make, model number and year would be good.
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:15 PM   #25
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I don’t think the value is an issue and the customs duty does not fit the calculation.

Further investigation is required?
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Old 30 May 2022, 09:17 PM   #26
rickc007
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Yes, it wasn't the cheapest either. But seemed in the best condition.

Today is Holiday, will call tomorrow

Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andad View Post
I don’t think the value is an issue and the customs duty does not fit the calculation.

Further investigation is required?
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Old 30 May 2022, 11:38 PM   #27
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Seems like about $1000 too much.

I've bought two watches from Europe and one from London and they were both under a couple of hundred dollars for watches valued at around 3 thousand and one was 6 thousand.
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Old 31 May 2022, 02:31 AM   #28
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I would expect a near 30% import & vat from US to London.
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Old 31 May 2022, 02:47 AM   #29
enjoythemusic
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Try 5%, there is no VAT in the USA.

OP, call FedEx, something is amiss.
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Old 1 June 2022, 02:24 AM   #30
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ouch that sounds expensive. hope you get it worked out
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